Abbey England announces 2024 Scholarship winner and celebrates craftsmanship

At the end of 2024, Abbey England announced Katy Warriner as the winner of its prestigious Abbey England Scholarship, recognising her exceptional talent in leathercraft.

Katy, based in Devon, specialises in handcrafted leather goods under her brand Warriner Leather, producing handbags, belts, equine tack, and more. She also makes her own leather balm from locally sourced ingredients. Her winning entry included a bespoke oak bark tanned suitcase designed for a custom-built 1960s Alfa Romeo Type 33 and a handcrafted leather satchel.

“When I received the news that I had been awarded the Abbey England Scholarship, I was so happy,” said Katy. “This accolade really has come at the perfect time for me, as I am determined to keep beautiful traditional crafts alive.”

Abbey England CEO Richard Brown praised Katy’s dedication: “We chose Katy for her passion for keeping heritage crafts alive and her commitment to supporting farmers in the leather industry.”

The scholarship provides Katy with £500 worth of leathers and tools, expert mentorship, and an additional £200 for training and travel. She also attended Abbey England’s Masterclass workshop, held in December, where award-winning saddler Jo Heard shared valuable business insights with 25 talented makers.