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.
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.
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.
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.
Steaming a joint on-site at Wilton House
We run a number of woodwork based courses and the aim is for you to fall in love with the craft, for example:
Copyright © 2024 Craven Conservation and Restoration Ltd - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy