Austin Friar

Austin Friar

The Newsletter of The Furniture Makers’ Company No. 11 – Spring 2013

The Furniture Makers incorporating the furnishing industry trust The furnishing industry’s central organisation, charity and patron furnituremakers.org.uk

The Master Charles Vernon, the 51st Master consumers the view that quality should be available at low cost. Innovative and high quality design can help the industry address this challenge by offering good value without compromising the quality of products delivered to the market. Companies also need to look at their pricing plans and focus on customer service in order to compete in 2013.

The Master writes: “The start of the new year is a good time to reflect on 2012 and to consider what 2013 will bring to the furnishing industry.

Last year was a challenging one for the industry. As well as continuing tough economic conditions, the non-essential nature of furnishing has led to an increase in ‘upcycling’, where consumers revamp furniture rather than buy new. However, despite the tough conditions, our conversations with the industry lead us to believe that there are plenty of growth opportunities that designers, manufacturers and retailers can embrace.

As the industry’s central organisation, charity and patron, we see three key challenges and opportunities over the year ahead: Changing consumer needs The economic downturn has meant the needs of the consumer have changed dramatically over the past couple of years. As essential as our products are, it is easy for buyers to defer their purchase, and consumers now see new furnishings as a ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must have’.

Competition from abroad and cheaper manufacturing processes have driven down prices, and thereby have given

Evolution of design The UK has established a vibrant and successful design community which has improved further in 2012. In 2013 the industry should continue to invest in and nurture this community in order to maintain its status and protect the talent which we have cultivated.

We are currently seeing a number of foreign design studios setting up in the UK but, at the same time, UKbased design practices tend to work with foreign manufacturers. UK manufacturers are being left behind because of a lack of engagement between them and designers. Therefore, we see 2013 as a significant opportunity for UK manufacturers to invest in, and to engage with the design community.

As the industry’s central organisation we’ll be focusing a lot of activity on introducing manufacturers to the design process to help them secure more work for the UK.

companies should invest more in marketing, especially that which highlights that local companies are better able to tailor items to customers’ exact requirements.

Another opportunity is the ‘onshoring’ of manufacturing to the UK, brought about partly by much higher inward freight rates but also by more competitive labour costs since the recession and by more flexible and cost-effective tools and processes. We predict that a knock-on effect will be seen by consumers through increased choice and value in the market.

As always, this Company is dedicated to doing all we can to help the industry grow and develop. Our work to encourage the government to do more to help small businesses and to support vocational training, and the acceleration of education should go some way towards achieving this.

The Furniture Makers believes that investment in training, design, expertise and creativity will help the industry respond to and capitalise on the challenges ahead”.

Charles Vernon Master

The protection of design copyright is another challenge for 2013, but headway has already been made in this area, particularly through the work of ACID. We hope to see this developed further in 2013.

Manufacturing 2012 saw smaller, independent operators challenged by the big, vertically integrated manufacturers.

In 2013 this is likely to continue. The main issue is that customers are not persuaded of the benefits of buying from smaller manufacturers, and instead are buying generic pieces, or even deferring their purchases entirely. To respond to this, furnishing

Front cover: See the top image and caption on page five 2

July 2012 in Parliament, the British Furniture Confederation (BFC) Exhibition of British Furniture - sponsored by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group (above right)

Join us in welcoming the Young Furniture Makers to the Company and the industry The YFM Facebook group proved to be only the beginning of our voyage into the world of social networking, and the Furniture Makers now has a firm presence on both Linked-in and Twitter.

The Young Furniture Makers group is the newest (and youngest!) addition to the Furniture Makers, as we embark on our mission to encourage and support new talent within the industry. The group was set up following the huge success of last year’s Students’ Industrial Tour, sponsored by Willis and Gambier, to help young up and coming furniture makers and designers build a network with others in the same situation, and to help them on the path to forming a successful career within the industry.

Perhaps one of the best things about being a Young Furniture Maker is the abundance of networking channels members have access to through our Freemen and Liverymen. The Furniture Makers’ membership is made up of many of the most successful people in the furnishing industry, all of whom understand the importance of encouraging young people into the industry and thus keeping it alive. So look out for our young YFMs as you pass – you might just meeting the next big name in furnishing!

Joint winner of the first Young Furniture Maker of the Year Award, Lloyd Manning, was on the case straight away, setting up the Livery’s very first Facebook group. It has already proved to be a huge success with 106 members and still growing, most recently providing a support network for those students from London Met at risk of losing their university places.

The other joint winner of the award, and the newest member of the committee, Liz Ret, has done a huge amount for the Furniture Makers already, designing the contact cards for all the YFM members, looking at new event opportunities and working hard to improve the CV section on our website.

The Manufacturing Guild Mark New criteria and third party audits The criteria for awarding the Manufacturing Guild Mark have just undergone a major review and overhaul and we have appointed the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) International to carry out independent audits, both of new applicants and existing holders, based on the revised criteria.

employment conditions and sustainability. With the help of FIRA, these catch-all requirements have been translated into an assessable checklist so that applicants can be evaluated as consistently as possible.

We welcome Hypnos back Hypnos Beds are the first company to be assessed under the new, revised criteria and we are delighted to announce their return as MGM holders after a three year gap.

“This is a major step forward in re-investing true value in the Manufacturing Guild Mark by giving it greater credibility.” said Alex Wyllie, chairman of the MGM committee. “We took a long hard look at our criteria for eligibility for the MGM and decided we needed to back it up with independent, consistent audits by suitably qualified inspectors. Only 50 really top class British manufacturers can hold an MGM at any one time. It is therefore essential, we believe, that the bar for entry is set high and that the Mark has real, perceived value and credibility.”

“Hypnos is proud to be awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark” says James Keen, retail sales director. “It provides Hypnos with another recognised mark of great British manufacturing excellence and it will help us drive international growth, with our hand crafted beds and mattresses for the finest homes and hotels around the world”.

As Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman Alex Wyllie said, “Their desire to rejoin the scheme is evidence of the progress we are making in ensuring that the Mark is perceived to have real value.”

The revised criteria still include requirements covering design, product quality, marketing, finance, high manufacturing standards, a commitment to training, good 3

The Bespoke Guild Mark Words in italics are quotes from the designers.

BGM 443 Adrian King (made by Simon Owen) ‘Cherry Blossom Oriental Sideboard’ Sonokeling, Rosewood and Tabu Birdseye Veneer “An oriental flavour sideboard with plenty of ‘wow’ to compliment other pieces with oriental overtones in the same room”

BGM 444 Martin Lane ‘Collector’s Cabinet’ Burr and Straight Grain Yew, Sycamore and Indian Rosewood “A practical piece for everyday use but complex and extremely detailed using, in particular, the design inspiration of a bridge that I admire, which I see from my home. It incorporates various drawers for personal items and secret compartments are revealed when further elements of the interior are opened.”

BGM 445 Jake Phipps ‘Stellar Console’ Stainless Steel “A piece created to sparkle in the light and as you move around it.

Inspired by the neutral attributes of amethyst geodes, the console table not only sparkles in the light, it also changes colour through the day as the ambiance of its environment changes.”

BGM 446 Will Acland (made by Graham Loveridge and Oliver Waters) ‘Sukiru Sideboard’ Oak and American Black Walnut “I designed this piece for my client’s space to fit a small collection of pens and display sculpture. It was inspired by the Anglo-Japanese Movement.”

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A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design At Cheltenham in August This year’s exhibition showcased a large and diverse selection of contemporary furniture design from around 60 designers exhibiting pieces for sale.

Winner of the Furniture Makers’ Design Prize Kevin Stamper for his ‘Havana Libre’ cabinet (Front cover image) “The cabinet was inspired by the architecture and character of Havana, Cuba. The island has a rich and varied past from merchant adventurers to revolutionary communism; a past that has left its mark on Havana’s vibrant urban environment.

The contradiction between colonial architecture painted in bright blues and whites and that of the Soviet inspired modernist blocks (right) is marked throughout the city, and this cabinet represents my response to this contradiction.”

Highly Commended Award to Norman Speller for his ‘Neo 1’ “Whilst driving past London’s Southbank in February 2011, I found myself struck by a new development under construction (Neo). I was immediately inspired by its two impressively large vertical concrete forms and began to consider how I could incorporate something similar within the design of a piece of furniture while ensuring the piece remained stable.

After many development drawings and the completion of a scale model, the final design was confirmed. I incorporated the two vertical forms as the legs surrounding the eight vertical drawers.”

Highly Commended Award to Erich Fichtner for his Oak ‘Fluted Jewellery Box’

“A further exploration of the intricate and sometimes surprising patterns revealed through carving quarter sawn Irish Oak. This fluted jewellery box, measuring 27 x 18 x 15cms, has two sliding North American Black Walnut trays and is lined with suede and finished with oil and wax.”

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Some Design Guild Marks from 2012

DGM 52 Sebastian Conran ‘SCA Bureau’ for John Lewis “Aerofoil has simple elegant floating non-tech forms that complement and soften the mechanical appearance of computers and accessories while solving the problems of functional innovation and ergonomics.”

DGM 58 David Fox Design Limited ‘Magic Little Stool’ for Boss Design “This seemingly innocent little stool creates its magic by being part of a multi-purpose break-out seating system when used with a larger version and a coffee or side table to create an interior landscape. A speculative design offered to and accepted by Boss Design.”

DGMs 60 and 61 Bethan Gray ‘Noah’ Dining Room range for John Lewis “Designed for longevity and, it is hoped, timelessness, the extending table is entirely in solid Oak with a bench to give a warm traditional refectory feel. The chair has a plywood seat on a solid Oak base.”

DGM 64 Kay & Stemmer ‘Cricket’ Bench for SCP “The top is solid Oak, the legs are Walnut and are slightly splayed outwards to give the piece stability and strength.

Modest yet elegant, the bench uses a simple wedged tenon joint to hold the legs in place.”

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DGM 65 Marc Krusin ‘Krusin’ Table Collection for Knoll International

DGM 69 Pearson Lloyd Design ‘PLC’ Chairs for Modus Furniture

“A range of low and side tables with slightly proud tray tops in marble (here), glass or wood. The distinctive crossed base emphasises the deliberately ‘silent’ aesthetic enabling the tables and the chairs (DGM 66) to harmonise completely with their surroundings and to be appreciated quietly in their humility.”

“PLC is a timber chair following thousands upon thousands of timber chairs that have come before. For any designer to work with an archetype, as stable and familiar as this, is both a threat and a treat. PLC works within this heritage. Its innovation is neither formal nor structural, but in its quietness and completeness and rightness for its time, in its good comfort and strength and price.”

DGM 63 Barry Jenkins ‘Meet U’ Table System for Burgess Furniture “A range of adaptable tables that link and bridge to provide a system for most commercial and corporate uses from training to boardroom. Easy tool-free assembly and flexibility.”

DGM 56 Chris Eckersley ‘Devon’ Chair for Sitting Firm “I was designing chairs for Sitting Firm for two years before they went into liquidation in 2011 leaving me with no means of production until the firm “re-appeared”.

My thinking was to design a chair that could be made by a less specialised workshop. Thus the laminated bow and the faceted three-piece seat for this low wide comfortable occasional chair.”

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The Master’s Desert Island Chairs Different sits instead of different sounds?

Why are my eight choices all chairs? Even though I can take a stand on an issue I always prefer to sit to think. That, and my time at Parker-Knoll and then Gloster, has made me something of a chair-person. My last choice just might have a bit to do with the contents.

Malena The Malena chair from STUA is a personal favourite of mine. I knew the chair from images before I met it for the first time at the Milan Furniture Show. For me, it is an excellent combination of natural materials and comfortable cushions, a design drawing on heritage but being unashamedly mainstream modern.

Parker Knoll Fireside Chair I joined the furniture industry in 1977. However as a little boy living in an ordinary British household I grew up with a furniture icon, a Parker Knoll fireside chair, that my mother purchased in the 1950s. During my time at Parker Knoll I had the chair refurbished and recovered and it now resides in our cottage in Yorkshire.

Cloud For many centuries benches had been the normal form of out of doors furniture but as people started to spend more leisure time out of doors, dining tables and chairs soon evolved into sun loungers and of occasional chairs. A few years ago at Gloster we worked on developing furniture that could be used out of doors for casual, comfortable seating without the need to take cushions inside, i.e. outdoor upholstery. We launched the Cloud range in Europe four years ago and then in the United States. It now accounts for over half our sales in some markets and it’s very important worldwide.

Windsor Chair The classic Windsor chair is a shape that most people in the UK and North America will find familiar. This classic English design has evolved but has remained true to its original concept of a bowed back and a solid seat. The constraints that the traditional construction method brings mean that the re-interpretation of the Windsor chair requires a high degree of skill and creativity from the maker as he works. To me this is the ultimate form of chair. However I do have a personal grievance: this chair should really be called the Wycombe chair because the majority were produced in High Wycombe. However when they reached the shops they were called Windsor chairs and that name has stuck.

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Florian I had the privilege of being at Parker Knoll from 1977 to 1992 and during that time I worked in most parts of the Group and then ran the cabinet division, Nathan Furniture, as well as serving on the PLC Board. When I joined the company, sales were dominated by the Norton Recliner, which accounted for a huge percentage of Parker Knoll’s production. The challenge had been given to the Sales Director to sell something else as well - the Florian chair, which holds a Furniture Makers Guild Mark (number 61 from 1979), and was designed in house by Robbie Howland. It was a small range of fireside chairs, a two seater and a rocking chair.

The chair followed the heritage of show wood frames but brought a comfort and modernity that made the chair look at home in both traditional and modern environments.

Plantation Running Gloster Furniture for the last twenty years, it has been fun to be part of the exciting evolution of outdoor furniture. With furniture the development of technology produces new ideas and new designs that come to market. To introduce woven designs at the end of the 1990s at Gloster we worked with the famous American designer John Caldwell to produce a chair that utilised woven material for the body and Teak for the arms. This range is the most successful that Gloster has ever produced and it continues in production. This was a classic case of new technology meeting experienced design to produce a winning product.

Weston When I joined Gloster in 1992 we manufactured only traditional outdoor Teak benches and dining sets. In 1993 we introduced the Weston Chair and within three years it was the dominant Teak outdoor chair in the up market sector worldwide. Some variants of it are still in our range twenty years later. The chair graces many people’s homes and I am pleased to report that several members of the Furniture Makers have this chair in their gardens. It is recognised as being the first truly comfortable outdoor chair.

Series 7 sometimes called the Christine Keeler Chair The Series 7 chair designed by Arne Jacobsen was revolutionary when first introduced.

It summed up so much about new design using modern materials while producing a pleasing functional and comfortable product. In recent years this type of chair has become very common and has even appeared in branches of McDonalds. But as we all know a chair has two functions: firstly to be sat on and secondly to be looked at. I think you will agree that the image of Christine Keeler sitting in Jacobsen’s chair is indeed something to be looked at.

(Image by Lewis Morley.)

So there we are. There’s my eight and I’ll sit comfortably on my desert island evermore.

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Charitable activities in 2012 2012 was a truly memorable and eventful year for the Furniture Makers: a year in which we saw the merger of two historical organisations as well as an increase in our weekly grants for the elderly and a huge number of improvements in the ways we help people in the industry.

We gave away over £25,000 in one-off grants to those desperately in need of financial help for essential items such as beds, carpets, riser-recliner chairs, electric scooters, heating and washing machines as well as larger expenses such as new windows, property repairs, boilers and disabled adaptations.

Of course, we didn’t forget about those who have retired from the furnishing industry, and last year we gave away more than £116,000 in on-going financial support to those who are struggling to manage on pension credit and limited benefits. We are so grateful for the Christmas cards and kind words of thanks we have received from our elderly beneficiaries, such as Mr and Mr L who wrote to say: “Merry Christmas to you all, and many thanks for the continued generosity of the Furniture Makers in these very difficult times.”

As well as helping those who have already developed or have completed their career in the industry, we have been doing a huge amount of work with students to develop new and exciting ways in which we can help them as they begin to forge careers as young furniture makers or designers.

Last year we awarded bursaries to cover the MA course fees for two students, as well as a number of grants to enable BA students to purchase materials for their final projects.

“Thank you so much for the grant you gave me. It has made such a difference to me as now I’m not so worried about how to pay for my food!”

Mrs L (Southampton)

So, what are our plans for 2013?

We want to continue doing even more for the industry, both in terms of supporting students and helping those who are still working or who have retired and fallen on hard times. This is a particularly difficult period for everyone and so many in the industry are feeling the strain of the recession, whether they’re trying to find work or are struggling to pay the bills following recent benefits changes. If we are to continue growing and being there for even more people in the industry, we need everyone’s help to raise money for the work we do.

Mr and Mrs M (Nottingham)

2012 MA bursary recipient Mike Charlton

“Thank you for everything, it makes a big difference to my life” Mrs W (Wales)

Welfare Manager Colette Bell with Mrs E (High Wycombe)

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Four new Liverymen and a new Corporate Member Two new Liverymen were admitted on July 5 Neil Stevenson, Founder and Managing Director of NEJ Stevenson Neil established the business in 1984 and has managed its sustained growth to become a highly regarded bespoke designer and furniture maker. Initially making the furniture himself, Neil has built the company to the level it is at today. Prior to starting the company Neil trained at Rycotewood College, Thame, before working for a number of cabinet making companies.

Gary Smith, Director of the Tusler Studio Gary started in manufacturing 33 years ago as a trainee bespoke maker, after acquiring the skills taught to him by the thinning numbers of older craftsmen. He moved on to embrace new computer technologies such as CAD production drawing.

Since 2000 he has become more involved with pre-production management and he started his own company.

And two more on December 13 Kevin Grix, Head of the Furniture Ombudsman Kevin was appointed in 2008 and is responsible for directing the activities of The Furniture Ombudsman, including its Alternative Dispute Resolution service. Kevin read law at university for three years and graduated with honours, prior to studying to be a barrister in London. He was called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, and is also professionally qualified by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). He represents the Ombudsman on the BFC’s All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group and is a member of the Trading Standards Business Members Group.

Penelope Williams Penelope worked for Waring & Gillow and Maples for over ten years until they were sold and the staff were made redundant. Having supported the FTBA she was asked to join the local area committee and, when the local president became ill, was unanimously voted in as President of the Sheffield Area FTBA which she ran for several years until she moved to Dorset.

As an Area President she was invited to become a Trustee, the first lady to do so, and became the first lady FTBA President in 1993. Recently, she suggested bursaries for MA students, a move which has seen much success. For the past nineteen years she has chaired the Welfare Committee and raised the annuities from £5 to £15 a week during her chairmanship.

A new Corporate Member was admitted Steve and Geraldine Callister-Russell - Fully Furnished Steve’s experience, before he and Geraldine formed Fully Furnished in 2001, was in real estate and residential investment, actively involved in the identification of, and advising on, residential investment opportunities to investor clients from both the UK and abroad.

Now they have forged a successful business providing furnishing solutions from show homes to furniture asset management and emergency furniture on a national basis. It is with these combined skills and a commitment to the furniture industry that Fully Furnished has grown to be a key driver in the industry and a true investor in it and its people.

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FullyFurnished Just Add People

And we have fourteen new Freemen Four new Freeman were admitted on September 25 Renée Mascari, CEO Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom National Training Group - Nottingham Renée is an Interior Designer/Architect with experience in contract interiors and KBB showroom design as well as domestic interiors, primarily kitchens. She and her son have a kitchen design studio in Nottingham.

Sophie Patel, Furniture Technologist – Appraise Product Technology Consulting - Leicester Appraise is an independent product technology consultancy helping manufactureres, retailers, suppliers and import agents with challenges associated with the retail supply chain.

Back row: Senior Warden, the Master and Junior Warden Front row: Renée Mascari, Sophie Patel, Philip Reynolds and Paul Stackhouse

Philip Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer FIRA International - Hertfordshire FIRA is the UK’s leading furniture technology centre, offering a range of support services to the furniture industry including research, ergonomic, environmental and lean consultancy, product testing, aftercare and dispute resolution (by the Furniture Ombudsman).

Paul Stackhouse, Curriculum Manager (Construction and Furniture Studies) - Burnley College, Lancashire Burnley College offers several University courses, sixth form classes, apprenticeship programmess and adult education programmes. The College offers apprenticeships in Furniture Making and Upholstery from which students may progress to university study in areas such as Construction, Furniture Design and Make, 3D Design and Interior Design.

And ten on December 12

Nick Cancea, Managing Director - Kyoto Futon, Lincolnshire Nick studied Furniture and Interior Design at the College for the Distributive Trades, Leicester Square London. 25 years ago he started his own company along with his father, a retail shop selling beds and bedroom furniture. However he became interested in manufacturing and started Kyoto in 1992. Kyoto has now become the largest futon producer in the UK manufacturing 2,500 units a week from their 45,000 square foot factory.

Stuart Finlator, Furniture Designer and Manufacturer - Race Furniture, Gloucester Stuart studied Architecture and Landscape Design at Kingston University and joined Race Furniture in 2008 as Managing Director. For 60 years Race Furniture has been at the forefront of developments in multi-functional and public seating systems, with a full and varied range encompassing many applications.

Tim Gosling, Director and Owner - Gosling Bespoke Furniture Company, London Tim graduated from the Central School of Art & Design in 1987 with a degree in Theatre Design. In the late 1980s he joined David Linley and became a director in 1993. He was instrumental there in developing the company’s design style In 2005 he set up his own company, Gosling, giving himself the freedom to design a wider range of furniture and interiors while continuing his working relationships with interior designers world-wide. His world-renowned furniture designs draw inspiration from classical architecture and styles.

Alistair Gough, Managing Director - OCee Design, Northamptonshire Having spent most of his career in the paper, packaging and display sector, Alistair joined OCee Design in May 2010 in order to develop the business into one of the UK’s leading commercial seating providers. He is determined to ensure this is achieved by developing the best products, the best team and by providing outstanding customer service.

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Simon Green, Managing Director - CPS, Wales Simon joined CPS Labels in 1995. Since then, CPS has ventured into the bedding industry and become a major supplier to the industry. Due to the commitment that Simon has demonstrated to the bedding industry, he has recently been appointed to the Executive Board of the National Bed Federation.

Richard Jones, Furniture Designer, Craftsman and Author, “No fixed abode” Richard has made furniture for many exhibitions in the UK and the US. He has also written articles that have been published in trade magazines such as ‘Furniture and Cabinetmaking’, ‘Woodwork’ and ‘The Woodworker’.

Mark McCann, Sales Director - Cavendish Upholstery, Preston Mark joined Cavendish in 2003 and is currently involved in driving a major restructure, introducing new lean manufacturing processes and working practices. The areas of improvement are focused on quality, lead time and customer experience.

Louise Pardoe, Director - Restall, Brown & Clennell, London Louise joined Restall Brown & Clennell in 1983 and worked with Past Master Simon Brown and then later Philip Brown until the business was sold in 2008. During that time she concentrated her efforts on selling mainly into the UK interior design market but latterly also into the Russian market. Since 2008 Louise has become more involved in the production side of the business and now runs the whole company, with an emphasis on sales, from a base in London. This includes product development including bespoke pieces.

Simon Spinks, Managing Director - Harrison Spinks, North Yorkshire Since 1986 Simon has been in charge of the day-to-day running of Harrison Spinks, one of the UK’s leading luxury pocket spring bed manufacturers. Harrison Spinks has a long history of innovation in sleep systems, components and spring technology, utilising patented machinery and design technology.

Andrew Vaughan, Portfolio Director - UBM, London Andrew runs a £2m portfolio of interior product trade exhibitions. These are for furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, flooring and accessories.

Left to right: the Clerk, Simon Green, Louise Pardoe, Tim Gosling, Mark McCann, Simon Spinks, the Master, Stuart Finlator, Alistair Gough, Richard Jones, Nick Cancea, Andrew Vaughan and the Senior Warden

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We celebrated the arrival of the Hall’s new Jubilee Cabinets And there was a surprise for a Past Master

December saw the eagerly awaited unveiling of the Jubilee Cabinets by Sheriff Alderman Nigel Pullman.

The three beautiful cabinets were made by Liveryman and well known designer-maker, Sean Feeney, and were sponsored by Hands of Wycombe to mark the end of its Chairman, Peter Head’s year as Master. The design and make competition was initiated and judged by Past Master and Chairman of the Custodians of the Hall, the current Master of the Art Scholars, Christopher Claxton-Stevens.

After the unveiling and a glass of champagne, there was also a surprise presentation for Past Master David Burbidge, when a plaque to rename the Maple Suite as the David Burbidge Suite was unveiled. This recognises the key role he played in securing the Hall for the Furniture Makers in 2004 and chairing the Hall Management Committee for the past eight years.

Sheriff Nigel Pullman, Sean Feeney, Peter Head and the Master

Sean Feeney - designer and maker of the cabinets

Sheriff Nigel Pullman giving David Burbidge the framed citation.

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We visited Thenford Gardens As Alan Clarke famously said, “He can’t shoot straight and he bought all his own furniture”. He was referring of course to Michael Heseltine so a visit to this benefactor of the industry’s Northamptonshire seat was long overdue.

It started with a proper Sunday lunch at The Inn at Farnborough (the Warwickshire one) where fifty of us sat down to Roast Beef (though some forgot the day of the week and did opt for other things). Then off we went in all directions as we tried to follow some dubious instructions to Thenford. It was fun watching others passing, turning and plugging in their satnavs. The visit was self guided, not a group, so how many never found Thenford is known only to the recording angel.

Quite rightly for furniture people, the visit was billed as to the Arboretum, and most started with that – glorious with autumn colours, October sunshine and lovely reflections in the lakes. Past Master Simon Brown identified an Oak and everyone brushed up their map-reading but perhaps the USP of this beautifully landscaped estate was the so-to-speak furnished part with a superb water feature by William Pye and pieces by some very notable sculptors, Liz Frink and Lynn Chadwick amongst others. The pièce de resistance, however, was an enormous bust of Lenin, “Removed from a town square in Preili, Latvia, after the fall of communism” said the caption.

A tribute to the spirit of Lord Elgin and proof of this Lord’s political eclecticism.

And we went to Axis Restaurant at No 1 Aldwich We enjoyed a dinner organised by the Wine Committee with the food matched to the wines rather than vice-versa.

The first wine was a much praised Gewürztraminer from Alsace paired with roasted scallops on a bed of crispy ham – delicious!

Past Master Cliff Rust, Chairman of the Wine Committee, and his wife Anita congratulating the chef.

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A team went to Sandhurst The Furniture Makers improved on previous performances against teams from three of the Great Twelve Livery companies by coming joint second overall and winning the pistol class.

This annual event staged at Sandhurst by our affiliated regiment, The Rifles, gave the Master and the Clerk the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, learnt during duelling, with perfect scores of 50 points in the 25m rifle event while Past Master Peter Kelsey achieved a highly creditable 49.

With 36 competitors from the Grocers, Haberdashers, Goldsmiths and ourselves, our Master, Charles Vernon, was top scorer with 116 points overall, closely followed by the Clerk with 111. Yes, that is the Master on the right!

Teeside golf raises £6,500 for the Charity James Barker, MD of Barker and Stonehouse, ably assisted by his PA Sandra, organised another wonderful day’s golf at Catterick Golf Club on August 8. The day was beautifully sunny – only three days after flash floods almost submerged the Pro’s shop – and 24 teams of four took part in a Stableford competition.

He met several well-known furniture people from “north of Watford” including James and his father Richard Barker, Past Charity President Mark Webster and Tony Bianchi, owner of Arighi Bianchi of Macclesfield.

Charity Treasurer Paul von der Heyde and Liveryman Colin Mustoe of Senator International took part for the first time and put up good scores, but there were many more local competitors who knew the course better and who took the honours – eight impressive silver challenge trophies.

Charity President Hugh Garforth-Bles joined the day having travelled from Oxfordshire so that for the first time in many years the Charity President could say “Thank you” to the Teessiders in person.

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A relaxed and delicious dinner at the golf club preceded an extensive raffle and then an auction of various interesting items of furniture which raised over £2,000. The final auction prize, donated by auctioneer Webster, was a pair of top tickets and dinner for any home game at Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. It proved irresistible for the Charity President.

The Bed Show Gala Dinner Another money spinner for the Charity The third Bed Show Gala Dinner was held at the Telford International Exhibition Centre on September 25, and all the UK bed industry was there.

Five awards were made, which included Bed e-tailer of the year - Feather & Black, and the main award - Bed Manufacturer of the year - which went to Vi-Spring of Plymouth.

Compère was Gyles Brandreth, sometime Conservative MP, who entertained 450 guests eloquently and amusingly all evening.

The Furniture Makers' Charity President, Hugh GarforthBles, after explaining all about the merger of the Livery with the Furnishing Industry Trust, invited everyone to join in “Stand-up Bingo”- over £4,000 was raised for the industry's charity.

Mr Edward Griffiths from Wrexham (second left), winner of the “Stand-up Bingo”

And a Liveryman helped Team GB to Gold Honorary Liveryman Lord (Graham) Kirkham's horse, ‘Hello Sanctos’, ridden by Scott Brash, helped Team GB win their first Olympic show-jumping gold medal for 60 years.

Graham Kirkham, with his friend carpet king Lord (Philip) Harris, bought the horse unseen from an Ukrainian six months before the Olympics for a significant sum rumoured to be €2m. Their purchase was thoroughly vindicated, and we send many congratulations to them both.

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The 2012 Students’ Presentation Evening in the Hall As the furnishing industry’s central organisation, charity and patron, the Furniture Makers does a lot of work in the fields of education, training and skills: working to ensure that the industry has the people it needs now and to flourish in the future.

September 25 saw the 2012 edition of this important event in our calendar.

The Students’ Presentation Evening provides a chance to celebrate the outstanding work of these students and the colleges they attend, while also shining a light on the work the Livery does in this area. It demonstrates the support we give to students in preparing them for a career in the furnishing industry.

The Lady Mayoress (right) presenting Liz Ret with the 2012 Young Furniture Maker of Year award certificate

Jark Weitz’s “E-cover Office Screen” Journalist Simona Sikinic with the Senior and Junior Wardens

Mike Charlton tests his “Stool”

Dr Lynn Jones, MA Furniture Design Course Leader, with the MA students

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The Students’ Tour to Lago ‘How can furniture address the needs of people using portable technologies?’

“One of the most rewarding weeks of my career,” says Dennis Keeling who writes: “Our MA Summer School trip to Italy led me to rethink the way furniture will be designed in the future.

The trip lasted five days, with three in the studio at the Lago factory near Padua in northern Italy, and one when we visited Giancarlo Piretti at his studio in Bologna. On the last day we went sightseeing in Venice.

the rest of the year. At the end of the year Lago evaluates the ideas put forward and selects one or two of them to put into production. We have yet to hear which of ours, if any, have been selected.

The trip was a great inspiration to all of us. I was able to incorporate the valuable information I obtained about modern production methods into my dissertation. I also incorporated the ‘Piretti Axis’ into my final project – an adjustable rocking chair.

In the Lago factory

We also had the opportunity to take a detailed tour of the modern, very well equipped Lago factory. Three days proved to be a very short period of time to research, evaluate and build mock-ups of design solutions, but some members of the group came up with excellent ideas which were given careful consideration by the Lago management team.

One of the most exciting days was spent with the famous Italian chair designer Giancarlo Piretti. We travelled the 100+ miles on the Italian equivalent of the bullet train and were hosted

by Giancarlo in his well-equipped studio on the outskirts of Bologna.

He showed us how he had developed the iconic ‘Plia’ chair and his current research on the rotational axis of chair backs based on the movement around the hip - which we nicknamed the ‘Piretti Axis’.

We were the first group to use Lago’s excellent facilities this year but we were soon followed by others throughout

Emile Jones working on his project

Perhaps the greatest value was the welding together of this group of student designers. We started to work as a team rather than as precocious individuals. We started to share our skills and, instead of competing with each other, we all had a common aim to get the best mark we could from the course. Our tutors say that this has become obvious - as Dr Ray Batchelor of Bucks New University said: “Some years we get some talented students; occasionally we get an excellent group; the 2012 MA year has been exceptional.”

Lynn Jones, MA Furniture Design Course Leader, commented: “We are really privileged to be the only university sponsored by LAGO with this furniture design summer school.

All the students are totally enlightened about Italian furniture design when they return. Evidence of inspiration from the trip can be seen in every student’s design work. It’s a unique learning experience for them all”.

Dennis Keeling’s prototype chair

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MA student Paola Brotto with her prototype glass table top

The Gordon Russell Prize Sponsored by Hands of Wycombe Michael Sewell, winner of the 2012 award with his “Postura”, writes: “We were given a brief to design a piece of furniture for the ‘third space’, the space in which the older generation who are still working though past retirement age, intermingle with younger generations. My original idea was that of a meeting point or ‘hot desk’.

I take most of my inspiration from the natural environment, in particular from water and the ways in which it moves around objects. I am very interested in making a piece of furniture ‘flow’, for example, when a person uses a piece of furniture in the way it is intended to be used but without thinking about it.

The ‘Postura’ design came out of research into coastal defences and the way in which a wave will move when confronted with an immobile object.

The vertical ‘banana’ piece in this case symbolises the coastal wall and the ash curved piece is the wave rolling along the wall.

Most of my ideas come from a quick sketch or a shape I have drawn in a moment of inspiration. These are then developed into the final design with a series of computer models as well as full scale mock-ups of joints and, in this case, the double curve”.

and the Ercol Project MA student Daryl Bellard describes his experience:

Emile Jones produced a response to the Love Seat that strengthened the sentiment by looking at the idea of nurture and care through using vines, which would entwine with the design, becoming symbolic of love.

“In the first few weeks of the course, the MA Furniture Design students from Bucks New University were treated to a guided tour of the Ercol factory.

I found it fascinating and invaluable to witness their design and production methods, especially so early in the academic year. Once the tour had concluded, we were presented with our brief. The short introductory project focused on the design of an accessory to a range of furniture, either from the past or from a current collection.

We were encouraged to dissect the piece completely through analysis of its function, form, ergonomics, composition, and the impact the design has had. Once we had broken down the chosen design into these elements, the aim was to identify a possible accessory that could be designed to improve the function or the appeal of the piece. We then presented our ideas to the directors of Ercol.

In the little time given to accomplish this task, our work environment became incredibly energetic.

Brian Walsh

We continued to discuss ideas and approaches, and it was amazing to see the different responses, especially as a few of us had chosen the same original designs such as the Stacking Chair or the Butterfly Chair.

I also took an alternative route by deciding that the surplus of component production within the company could lend itself to different products. My response was to use the Stacking Chair seat base as a body for a guitar, showing the versatility and beauty of the form”.

A fellow student, Brian Walsh, focused on the idea of wrapping the Butterfly Chair in a single square sheet of upholstery fabric. His notion was to signify patterns and points on the material that allow a variety of forms to evolve from the existing piece, presenting the opportunity for arm rests or storage pockets depending upon the fold (above).

Some of us stretched the term ‘accessory’ to its limits.

Daryl Bellard with his guitar

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Bristol The Master’s Outing 2012 We were blessed with a dry and bright September day for the annual Master’s Outing. This year it was to Bristol where we enjoyed a guided tour round the SS Great Britain, Brunel’s pioneering ship, at its launch the largest in the world and the first screw-propelled, ocean going, iron-hulled steam ship.

After lunch the group embarked on the passenger launch “Tower Belle” and the Master was heard comparing notes with the vessel’s skipper on whose crew was the most difficult to control!

Locking out of the harbour we went a short way down the tidal River Avon to view another Brunel masterpiece, the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

An inscribed Teak bench was presented by the Master to the Great Britain Trust to mark the occasion of our visit.

The dinner that evening was in the Baker’s Hall, one of the old Bristol guild halls and originally built as a Dominican Friary in the 13th century.

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Obituary Andrew Varah Born in 1944, Andrew became a Liveryman of the Furniture Makers in 1996. He was appointed to the Bespoke Guild Mark Committee in 2001 and served for three years before becoming an outstanding Chairman of the Committee for three further years. He was elected to the Court in 2009 and in the following year he created and ran the Branching Out project on behalf of the Livery Wood Group which raised over £20,000 for the Arboretum at Castle Howard. In May 2011 he received the Company’s Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented by Lord Mayor Michael Bear.

After qualifying as a teacher Andrew taught in a London school where most of his students were using school as a waiting room for Borstal. After a particularly vicious fight in his classroom, Andrew came up with a plan to engage his fractious students.

He showed the unruly pupils a simple version of a classical guitar he had made and promised them if they behaved and there was ‘not one more squeak’ , they each could make one.

From that point on, they were as good as gold.

Keen to see more of the world he took up a teaching post in Zambia where he started to design furniture and hold exhibitions of his work. He ended up managing 45 talented Zambian craftsmen and designing furniture not only for the lodge house of the Zambian President (Dr Kenneth Kaunda) but for individuals and companies all over Zambia.

When his two children approached school age he returned to England where he was offered a job with John Makepeace, the British designer and furniture maker. It was an excellent opportunity but after much soul searching Andrew decided to go it alone.

Andrew was a remarkable, inspiring, generous and unassuming man. He was a very special person as well as being a unique, gifted and humorous designer/ maker whose work was exemplified by his amazing infinity models. He was a very good friend to many in the Livery and amongst designer/makers for whom he had such great enthusiasm.

He had an instinctive rapport with the young, and his wonderful sense of humour and generosity of spirit extended to all those with whom he came in contact.

After working tirelessly for several years, Andrew was instrumental in bringing about the creation of the Furniture Designer Makers Association in 2010.

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Andrew was an outstanding designer/maker for thirty-five years and was believed to be the world’s only maker of infinity models (below).

The Court agreed at its July 2012 meeting, unanimously and enthusiastically, to set up an annual award in Andrew’s name to enable an outstanding young designer/ maker to acquire additional skills and experience. The precise details have not yet been decided but will be announced in the near future.

At the same meeting Andrew was made an Honorary Liveryman - the highest accolade the Furniture Makers can bestow.

Obituary George Williams CBE MC TD George Williams, who has died aged 94 after a long illness, became a Liveryman in 1965. The Master described him correctly as “a Legend in the British furniture industry”.

George changed the way volume upholstery was manufactured and spawned countless upholstery factories across the United Kingdom. After a distinguished record with the Royal Fusiliers during the Second World War in which he won an MC, he went to work for Isaac Wolfson at GUS. However his heart was in Wales and in the early 1950s he bought a small fireside chair manufacturing business in South Wales called Christie-Tyler.

Christie-Tyler was no different to other craft based manufacturers of the time until GW, as he was known to all his employees, decided to start a small unit in the grounds of his house where the staff were paid a fixed price per piece made. Productivity soared and the system was rolled out to the other factories. As a result of this, Christie-Tyler achieved a 30% share of the upholstery market, though not all in the volume sector; his acquisition of Duresta in Long Eaton led to the setting up of other high quality manufacturing companies.

George was a most able and natural leader with a tremendous sense of humour. His roots were in Wales and he was very fond of the many people in his factories both there and in England.

Many of his employees left ChristieTyler to set up there own businesses and it was a constant delight to him to be invited to visit these companies where many of his principles were in use.

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On his retirement he was appointed CBE and indulged his passion for gardening on a grand scale, initially at his home near Crickhowell, subsequently at Ludlow and latterly again in Wales.

His wife Grizel predeceased him and he leaves a son Owain and five grandchildren, He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Would you like to join us?

Are you “engaged in or with” any aspect of the furnishing industry in the United Kingdom?

Are you a furnishing designer, a maker or manufacturer, a retailer, a specifier, consultant, journalist, teacher, a PR person?

If you are any of these, you are welcome to become a Freeman and, in due course, a Liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

You do not have to wait to be invited!

Details are on the website, or contact the Clerk for the Company brochure.

The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers The City of London Livery Company for the British Furnishing Industry Furniture Makers’ Hall, 12 Austin Friars EC2N 2HE 020 7256 5558 enquiries@furnituremakers.org.uk www.furnituremakers.org.uk