New biography 'Undaunted' celebrates the legacy of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth

By We Love Creative

19 May 2025

Gawthorpe textile Collection_138319.JPG.jpg

A life of quiet strength, creativity and service was brought vividly back into the spotlight with the launch of Undaunted — the new biography of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth.

Written by long-standing Gawthorpe Textiles Collection volunteer and former assistant curator Jane Hellebrand, Undaunted explores the full scope of Rachel’s extraordinary life.

From her dedication to craft and education, to her pioneering work in social welfare and the Girl Guide movement, Rachel’s legacy is now preserved in a deeply researched, moving, and timely publication.

The book launch event, hosted by Rachel’s great nephew Lord Shuttleworth, was a fitting celebration of her life’s work. It featured a moving performance by Burnley College Performing Arts students, a conversation with author Jane Hellebrand and an introduction to the collection’s exciting commercial future by Sarah Lloyd of Panaz.

Lord Shuttleworth said: “Rachel’s life was defined by compassion, creativity and care.

“And Jane’s new biography brings that legacy into the spotlight in a way that is both deeply personal and historically important.”

Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, born in 1886, defied the expectations of her class and era. Instead of following a conventional path, she chose one of purpose — building spaces of learning, dignity, and community. The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, which she began and nurtured throughout her life, is now one of the most significant of its kind in the UK. She was also a founding force in the Girl Guide movement in Lancashire, and a tireless advocate for women’s education and opportunity.

The title Undaunted takes its name from a pair of engraved needlework scissors gifted to Rachel in 1933, when she opened an Unemployed Women’s Club in Burnley. The word perfectly captures her resilience in the face of personal and societal loss — including the deaths of both her brothers in WWI, and her nephews in WWII.

Jane Hellebrand began her research in 2012, while volunteering at Gawthorpe. “I truly believe Rachel wanted her life to be remembered,” she said. “She documented everything — her notes, her labels, her thoughts pencilled into the margins of books. And she did it not for ego, but because she cared deeply about the value of craft, and of people.”

Jane’s work on the biography gained pace during lockdown in 2020, when she finally had uninterrupted time to bring the manuscript together.

Rachel’s story continues — not only through exhibitions and education, but through responsible commercial partnerships that use designs from the collection to create high-quality contemporary products. Sarah Lloyd of Panaz shared how such partnerships help fund conservation work and secure the collection’s future for generations to come.

“Rachel didn’t just collect textiles,” said Lord Shuttleworth. “She created a movement around them — one rooted in access, care, and creativity. That’s a legacy well worth protecting.”

Guests were invited to view items from the collection with curator Rachel Midgley, purchase signed copies of Undaunted, and enjoy drinks and conversation about the legacy Rachel left behind.

The publication of Undaunted was made possible by funding from Scottish Power Foundation and is available now for £14.50 plus postage. Proceeds support the charitable mission of the Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.

You can order a copy of the book here

 

 

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin