Ian Watson

Graduate Diploma & Postgraduate Diploma, Conservation Books and Library Materials leading to MA Conservation Studies 2010-11

I came from a career in bookselling where, as a hobby, I had become interested in making un-usable books usable with very basic repairs. This introduced me to the world of conservation and when the opportunity arose for me to change emphasis in my career, West Dean was my first choice. Initially this was because of the priority given to practical bench work but the excellent staff and University of Sussex validation confirmed this decision.Since arriving at West Dean I have never failed to be impressed by the quality of the projects we have been working on. With objects from Chichester Cathedral Library, The Admiralty Library, private clients and elsewhere, we have been handling and studying real objects worthy of conservation on our benches from day one. This work has consistently been relevant, varied and increasingly in-depth as our competence and confidence has grown. My second year placement at the Dutch National Archive confirmed that the skill levels achieved at West Dean are definitely at the standard required by the conservation sector.The bench work has been backed up comprehensively by a grounding in the craft skills of traditional bookbinding as well as the provision of an ethical and historical structure within which to work. My most pleasant surprise however was the high standard of the materials and environmental science teaching. This was a dauntingly new area of study for me but because the knowledge is always related directly to the practical work it felt useful, easily applicable and on occasion even exciting. As I move towards my eventual goal of accreditation I have found the staff and fellow students from all disciplines invaluable in providing a network of friendship, experience and useful contacts to carry with me through my future in conservation.