The Guild is to fund a small research project into its formation and history after it was found there was little to no information pre-1930s.

Although it is known that our organisation was established by Bahne Bonniksen, of Coventry, little more has been recorded about the early days.

At the recent Board meeting in May, Guild Directors felt it essential to be able to trace our organisation’s roots so we can pass this on to members and other interested parties. 

It is already known that there is some information available in the BHI’s Horological Journal. The Bodleian Library in Oxford also has copies of ‘Jeweller and Metalworker’ which published the Guild’s early meeting minutes.

Coventry Watch Museum is well underway with their historical book which features, among others, the work of Bonniksen. Charles Frodsham has also kindly already forwarded a booklet about the watchmaker’s work.

Chairman Paul Roberson said it was vitally important that we are able to fill in the gaps in the Guild’s history.

‘It was agreed that a research graduate be asked to collate all the relevent information and put it into a usuable format,’ he explained.

‘We will then be able to make the material available to our members and the wider public, as well as use it at any future presentations we are asked to do.’

He also appealed to any existing members with information, documents or photographs on the Guild’s early years to get in touch.

‘Obviously the more information we can collate, the better the final document will be,’ added Paul.

‘It’s really important that we record our history properly so that it is available for future generations.’