A Nottingham-based royal gilder who worked on Coronation ware for two monarchs has celebrated her 106th birthday this week.
Betty Wherry is marking the occasion this week at Field House care home in Nottinghamshire, celebrating with a party, cake and loved ones.
The centenarian, born Betty Bailey, devoted half a century to Royal Crown Derby, one of Britain’s most prestigious porcelain manufacturers.
Her career at the company spanned roles as gilder, museum curator and author, leaving an indelible mark on the firm’s history.
Betty Wherry created coronation items for the coronation of Edward VIII and George VI
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Ms Wherry now resides at the Church Farm Care facility, where her life story continues to captivate fellow residents and staff alike.
Her journey at Royal Crown Derby commenced on June 4 1934, when she joined as a 14-year-old apprentice gilder.
The young trainee was issued a white cup labelled “workman’s use” and provided with a stool adjusted to the proper height, ensuring correct posture with elbows resting comfortably on the table.
Mastering the banding wheel proved particularly challenging, with apprentices initially practising using a pigment known as “best red” before graduating to gold application.
Ms Wherry put in 54-hour weeks in the gilding room, learning acid etching and other demanding techniques.
She eventually contributed to Coronation pieces created for both Edward VIII and George VI, marking her work with two distinctive small dots.
Betty Wherry celebrated her 106th birthday this week
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The Second World War saw Ms Wherry redirected to aircraft manufacturing, though she returned to the porcelain firm in 1945.
Upon her return, she founded a training school for gilders and subsequently guided both junior and senior craftspeople through a period of modernisation, including the adoption of silk screening technology during the 1960s.
In 1972, she took on the role of assistant curator at the factory museum, collaborating with John Twitchett on pattern and shape documentation that was later published.
That same year, she showcased her gilding expertise at Chicago’s “British Fortnight” event and toured North America demonstrating her craft.
Her memoir, Gold In My Veins My Life As A Derby Gilder, appeared in 2008.
Ms Wherry reflected on her remarkable journey, saying: “I’ve had a wonderful life. I grew up in Derby and spent a lot of time with my Grandad.
Betty Wherry worked for half a century at Royal Crown Derby
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“When I was older, I began my career with the Royal Crown Derby and loved seeing the world, and I would say the secret to living a long and happy life is simply working hard. I’ve enjoyed celebrating my 106th birthday with good friends and a glass of sherry!”
Lucy Atkinson, co-owner of Church Farm Care, said: “Betty is such a wonderful person and her exciting story is one we have loved celebrating here at Field House. We feel such an immense sense of pride when we look back at her life and cherish every day with her.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gbnews.com ’
