South West Region visits Boat Building Academy

On a beautiful spring day at Lyme Regis members of the Furniture Makers Company were privileged to visit the Boat Building Academy on the final day of the 12 week furniture making course. Lest this sounds strange the course, while focusing on furniture making and design, is inspired by the boat building environment and the technology and traditional techniques which apply to both disciplines
All became clear when Will Reed, the director of the Academy, gave an informative presentation about the work of the school and its philosophy. Here we all gained an insight into the boat building projects and the associated furniture course in progress. The Academy’s world-leading courses focus on professional training and give transformative opportunities to young and old alike who are starting, or changing to, a career in boat building or furniture making using traditional skills and modern technology
Unusually, perhaps, many of the tutors had themselves undertaken the courses, become proficient in production, then became dedicated to passing their acquired knowledge onto others

Will Reed explains some of the finer points of traditional boatbuilding

When we subsequently toured the workshops, saw the current boat building projects and the set pieces of the furniture course being completed, and had the opportunity to talk to students, we were struck by the strong bond built between tutors and students, and indeed the students themselves, who work in teams on the large projects
At the end of the morning we took a break with a pleasant walk along the sun-kissed Lyme Regis beach filled with holiday makers, arriving at the Rock Point Inn for a convivial lunch

Furniture Course students show their work to visitors

When we returned to the Academy the furniture students were exhibiting their set pieces and personal projects to the public. Certificates of Completion were presented to all students and Will and the tutors were able to reflect on the course. David Dewing, chairman of the South West region added his appreciation of the work being done at the Academy and emphasised the importance of passion in keeping the furniture crafts alive, and the role the Furniture Makers’ Company could play in assisting and encouraging students now and in their future careers
As we departed we all agreed that for us the day had reinforced the worth of our support to the education sector as well as providing an opportunity to enjoy the company of our fellow members.

David Dewing, Chairman, South West Region, congratulates students on their achievments