GMC Blog

I now have a blog up and running on the Woodworkers Institute (GMC) website.

It is talking about my Bucks journey on the Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts course.

Make sure to check it out and pass on the link to other people...even if just to look at the rest of the site!

http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=1013

Woodworkers Institute

GMC Publications have a free forum called the Woodworkers Institute which also includes loads of articles that have featured in past magazines and plenty more. So check it out and pass the link on!

www.woodworkersinstitute.com

High Wycombe Chair Museum

Wycombe is renowned for it's furniture industry, particularly it's chairs. The best place to learn about this incredible history is at the High Wycombe Chair Museum. They have a wonderful exhibition on the development of the chair making industry through the ages, including the famous Chiltern Bodgers. There is a wide variety of chairs on display but I would thoroughly suggest asking to have a look at the chair store. 
 The museum also has a lovely garden to sit and take tea...I can frequently be found there in my university breaks!


www.wycombe.gov.uk/museum/ - I recommend looking at the events calendar as there are always exciting activities that cater for all ages!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wycombe-Museum/344160557160


Wycombe Museum, 
Priory Avenue, 
High Wycombe, 
Bucks, 
HP13 6PX

Monday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday: 2pm to 5pm
Bank holidays: closed

...And admission is free!

Reading Recommendations

Reading Material:
English Windsor Chairs - Ivan G Sparkes
The Story of Furniture - Gordon Russell & Jaques Groag (This is a children's book but it includes some very useful and clear illustrations.)
Dictionary of Woodworking Tools - R. A. Salaman
Wood Identification & Use - Terry Porter

DVD Recommendation:
Wycombe in Film - A series of historical footage on High Wycombe and the Chiltern Bodgers.

Available at: www.wycombe.gov.uk/council-services/leisure-and-culture/wycombe-museum/shop.aspx

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I have just come across a little memento from the past. I had completely forgotten about this.

Daddy Bailey just uncovered this photograph...

Related Article

My sister sent me an article from Heritage Today magazine(a publication of English Heritage) about investigations into the prevention of marquetry decay at Kenwood House. 

The Boat Project

For VMC at university, we were asked to research the visual and material culture of the London 2012 Olympics. We had to identify an object that was relevant to our course and create a short presentation on it.

My group decided to look at The Boat Project and because the concept received such positive feedback from the entire class, I felt I would share it on here.

I thoroughly recommended having a look at the website as it has some really fascinating information and videos such as the actual boat building. www.theboatproject.com

Our Presentation:

·      The Boat Project is the winning commission for Artists Taking The Lead in the South East, as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

·      The project is a collaboration between Lone Twin -the contemporary performance practitioners Gregg Whelan and Gary Winters, boat builder and Olympic silver medallist Mark Covell and yacht designer Simon Rogers.

·      The Boat Project is seen as a living archive of people’s stories and lives.

·      It is to be a 30ft day sailer created with donated wooden objects that hold a personal significance to people and communities.

·      The boat will be launched in May 2012 and undertake a maiden voyage along the South East, stopping at four locations. At each of these locations a festival of arts will take place in celebration. Afterwards the boat will be gifted back to the region as a permanent public resource.