Rural Industries Bureau

DATE: 1927-1965

LEVEL: SubFonds

Commercial records regarding the Rural Industries Bureau (RIB) and the work of the Bureau in Devon. The records were accumulated primarily by Rex Gardner who worked part time as a master craftsman at the Dartington Hall Craftsmen's Studio and part time for the RIB in Devon. Subjects include: Rex Gardner's survey of Devon craftsmen and tradesmen and survey of the position of rural industries in Devon; the relation of the Dartington Hall Trust to rural industries; the financing of Rex Gardner and RIB work in Devon by the Dartington Hall Trust and the Development Fund; and Conferences, including the South Devon Agricultural Trades Conference.

The records include: correspondence, reports, memoranda, catalogues, programmes, printed leaflets and press cuttings.

The Rural Industries Bureau was founded in 1921 by the Ministry of Agriculture as a result of an enquiry conducted on behalf of the Development Commissioners, to encourage and assist in the development of rural industries. The aim was to provide information and a technical service to small country industries in order to preserve and develop rural industry. Financed by treasury grants from the Development Fund the RIB worked in close co-operation with the National Council of Social Services, and other trade organisations. By acting as a central organising and advisory body, the Bureau aimed to raise the general standard of production and to bring the work of craftsmen's to the notice of the public through exhibitions and the sale of goods direct from craftsman to customer.

In 1934, Rex Gardner went to the RIB headquaters to learn the business of the RIB. Rex Gardner worked part time for the RIB for Devon and part time as a Master Craftsman at Dartington Craftmen's Studio at Shinners bridge. The Craftsmen's Studio sold garden and other furniture designed by him and made by the craftsmen on the spot but was closed in 1935. Dartington Hall was responsible for the establishment and finance of RIB work in Devon including Rex Gardner's survey of Devon craftsmen and tradesmen. The survey was started in 1934 and completed by 1936 and resulted in a card index listing just under 1000 business and agricultural tradesmen. The index card system was continued until 1939.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847200
yvonne.widger@dartington.org

This information is copyright The Dartington Hall Trust