Education and Training

Woolley & Wallis should be heartily congratulated for launching their internship scheme which will give one lucky candidate the opportunity of gaining invaluable experience and training in a range of subjects at one of our leading auction houses (News, ATG No 2542).

A specialist in 18th century marquetry believes he has identified the craftsmen responsible for inlaid decoration on some of the finest English furniture.

Woolley & Wallis has launched an internship scheme to help train the next generation of art and antiques specialists.

New online databases for extensive archive material of two core disciplines in the antiques trade have been launched.

Emmanuelle Sibley, a student at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation specialising in clocks and related objects, has been given the opportunity to conserve the Kings’ Clock in advance of the reopening of The Courtauld Gallery on November 19.

Described recently in a How To Spend It article in the Financial Times as a “part sleuth, part therapist and part miracle worker… a modern master of illumination”, Simon Gillespie runs a team of seven conservators, restorers and specialists in his studio above New Bond Street in central London.

Ceri House is an artist and restorer and currently works with Nick Shipton and the Brothership Studio team in Hertford.

Conservation and restoration firm Plowden & Smith is now run by managing director Camilla Hughes-Hunt with a team of 13 qualified full-time conservation specialists.

TV programmes have brought restoration and conservation into the public spotlight recently, but what is life really like for those working in the field at a time when training and jobs are under pressure?

West Dean College recently merged with KLC School of Design in London.

Lizzie Neville, head of school of conservation at West Dean College of Arts & Conservation, works with 15 full-time members of staff and more than 50 visiting lecturers

MADAM – Your piece on the UCLAN MA (Antiques) was interesting (News, ATG No 2456). I hadn’t known the course had been suspended, but am very glad it’s been reinstated.

MADAM – Many of your readers will already have heard the news that the National Trust is going through a consultation process and will make up to 1200 redundancies as it expects to lose up to £200m this year.