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Learn - Make - Restore

Learn - Make - RestoreLearn - Make - RestoreLearn - Make - Restore
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses Overview
    • Ethos
    • General Overview
    • Box Making
    • Tool Chest Course
    • Chair Making Course
    • Restoration Courses
  • Course Dates & Prices
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Brand Links & Media
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Courses Overview
      • Ethos
      • General Overview
      • Box Making
      • Tool Chest Course
      • Chair Making Course
      • Restoration Courses
    • Course Dates & Prices
    • Shop
    • Contact Us
    • Brand Links & Media

Learn - Make - Restore

Learn - Make - RestoreLearn - Make - RestoreLearn - Make - Restore
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses Overview
    • Ethos
    • General Overview
    • Box Making
    • Tool Chest Course
    • Chair Making Course
    • Restoration Courses
  • Course Dates & Prices
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Brand Links & Media

About Us

Qualifications & Experience

Director, Bill Ratcliffe MA , is an Advanced City & Guilds qualified cabinet maker, surface finisher and upholsterer. He has also achieved a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in Furniture Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts. 

He later gained a Masters Degree in the Conservation of Historic Objects. 


He has worked on a number of important projects at some historic locations but just loves working on a variety of objects. Bill also takes on commissions for making projects in addition to running a number of woodwork based craft courses.

Campaigning & Writing

Bill is an advocate for traditional crafts and skills. He was awarded 'Campaigner of the Year' when at University for campaigning against craft course closures. He believes we need to encourage more young people into woodworking and to spend less time in front of screens. Vocational skills remain undervalued and this needs to change.

Furniture & Decorative Arts

 Bill runs a number of regular courses but also arranges bespoke training. He still takes on select furniture restoration projects but his time is spent mainly making, teaching and writing.


Please take a look at the 'Restoration Portfolio' below to see a small selection of photos including rocking horse restoration, conservation of the well documented Thomas Chippendale 'Violin Cabinet ' at Wilton House (supporting Granary Conservation of Lincolnshire) and the frame conservation & upholstery of a pair of 18th century French chairs, stamped with French Master maker's mark, Adrien Pierre Dupain.

Speaking up for Craft

Bill writes regularly for hand tool woodworking magazine, Quercus. He is passionate about the benefits of enjoying woodworking, both for the person but also for the environment.


Bill has also written articles for the 2022 and 2023 Woodland Heritage Annual Journals. 

View Media and Articles

Restoration Portfolio

Steaming a joint on-site at Wilton House

Services

Craft Courses

  • We value traditional skills and run a number of courses in woodworking, making and furniture restoration
  • We focus on providing a relaxing environment where you can learn new skills and escape the phone or laptop screen for a while
  • We focus on developing skills with hand tools and also the use of machinery if you wish but the aim is to give you the skills to continue with more new projects when you get home

Furniture Conservation & Restoration

  • Bill takes on selected projects only, this is due to workload and other commitments. 
  •  We work ethically and professional using conservation grade materials and respecting the history of the objects


Traditional Cabinetmaking

Traditional Cabinetmaking

Traditional Cabinetmaking

  • We value traditional skills and complete bespoke making and conservation projects
  • We utilize a combination of both modern and traditional, equipment and techniques


 


Woodwork Courses

Traditional Cabinetmaking

Traditional Cabinetmaking

We run a number of woodwork based courses and the aim is for you to fall in love with the craft, for example:

  • Make a Welsh Stick back chair over 5 days
  • Finally learn to produce good dovetail joints and other skills
  • Make something you have always wanted to make, send an email to Bill and he will arrange a bespoke course for you.



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