Railway shop latest in home crafter’s long journey for recognition and success
A WEARDALE crafter who has spent most of her adult life using her crafting skills has finally found
success thanks to the Weardale Railway.
Sue Powley-Whittingham, a 50-year-old mother of three who lives in Frosterley, first found her
love of crafting as a little girl when her mother, Margaret and her maternal grandmother, Phylis
Beaty, taught her to knit. From those early days and all through her life, she has knit clothing and gift
items and later turned her hand to laser printing with help from her friend, Andrea Gascoigne, also
from the village.
Over many years, as a one-woman cottage industry, she has attended craft fairs, set up social
media accounts all with the view to making a return for her hard work and she did have some
success, albeit it limited. The hand-made garments and gifts were lovingly made over many hours
and sold to eager buyers although Sue’s hard work never brought in enough to be classed as an
income.
At one point, she was part of a crafters’ collective with an outlet in Crook, paying her share of the
rent and overheads. Then joining “Penny The Crafty Crafter”, also on Crook. (Penny herself now sells
in the platform 2 gift shop!).
A few years ago, she began organising craft fairs herself held in The Barn at Blackhall Fram, owned
by her friend who wanted to help her and other crafters by giving them a venue to offer their goods
for sale. It had limited success but still she – and other crafters – continued with the passion they
have for hand-made, good quality goods – far superior than those on sale in shops and on-line and
far cheaper too.
It is a difficult arena with very few home crafters ever making enough money in comparison to
the hours they spend on their work.
In October 2023, Sue married her long-term partner, Bryan and her life seemed to take on a new
perspective. At last, things seemed to going her way when the Weardale Railway offered her the use
of the small building opposite the south-bound platform at Stanhope Railway Station. This was the
break Sue had been waiting many years for and she enthusiastically accepted the offer.
Since then, Sue with her cousin Paula and the fellow crafters who she invited to sell their home-
made goods too, has enjoyed the long awaited success with her goods – and theirs – at last finding
an outlet. Locals and visitors alike walk over the iconic bridge at the station to visit her little shop
and not many leave without buying something!
The vast majority of items on sale are hand-made and include gifts, items for the home and much
more. All uniquely made by hand and not available to buy anywhere else. There are gift cards,
keyrings, souvenirs of Stanhope and Weardale, hand-knitted garments and toys and so much more.
“My life changed in 2023 and although I also very sadly lost my dad in that year, I know he is
looking down on me and smiling,” said Sue. “I am the happiest I ever been in life and seeing the
result of so many years of crafting coming to fruition is indescribable, really. Being able to do it along
with my cousin and best mate Paula is the icing on the cake!
“I can’t thank the railway enough for giving me this opportunity. They have always been super
supportive and Paula and I love being part of their events!”
Sue has become part of the jolly ‘family’ at Stanhope Railway Station, taking part in all events,
dressing up and generally having a great time!
Sue can be found at the Railway Shop on Platform 2 every Friday and every weekend between
11am and 4pm in the winter months but come the Spring and Summer, she will be open every day
trains are running. There is an exciting new calendar and series of events to be unveiled by Weardale
Railway soon! For more information, you can find Sue on Facebook and Instagram as ‘Cecelia’s Attic’
or email
