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.