Rycotewood Graduation Show

My colleague James Willis and I were amongst a handful of professional designer-makers judging the annual Hellen Award for the Best in Show at this year’s Rycotewood Graduation Show. For many years this Award has been kindly donated by one of my clients in memory of his wife, Hellen.

The Award went to Justin Parker for his elegant console table. Justin is a first-year Foundation Degree student, moving into his second year, so he’s one to watch!

A special Innovation Award was given to Charlie Nash, a third-year BA Honours student, for his chair and console table that combined English ash, coppice, hazel and willow bark. 

Charlie had researched how he could incorporate local coppice materials into an innovative design process. The coppice hazel and willow was sourced from the Rycote Wood , near Thame. Charlie starts an internship at Matthew Burt Furniture in Wiltshire this summer.

Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QEST) for our intern Dan Harrison

Our intern, Dan Harrison, has been awarded a prestigious Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QEST) to train with us for a year. The funding will help cover his tutoring. Dan begins his training with us on 11 July and will work alongside James and me to develop in design and make skills and also learn about the marketing and managing of a craft-based business.

Dan has just completed a foundation degree at Rycotewood Furniture Centre, Oxford City College. He has already spent two years as our part-time intern while he completed his degree. He previously studied Sustainable Design at Falmouth University and completed a 5-year apprenticeship in joinery.

Dan was one of 20 scholars selected from over 200 applicants for the award. The award is given by the Royal Warranty Association and is under the patronage of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.