Matthew Bucknall

Professional Development Diploma, Furniture Making and Conservation, 2010-11

I have always wanted to do something creative, particularly with wood and started to look around for Furniture and Cabinet Making Courses after 30 years in the retail and hospitality sector. I found West Dean College with a world-recognised reputation for excellence in Conservation and Making tuition and decided to start a new career in Furniture Making.My ambition was to learn traditional furniture making hand skills and then to gain experience with an established maker before ultimately setting up my own business. I enrolled as a full time student and completed the College Diploma in Furniture Making during 2009-10.This was the best career decision that I had ever made. During my first year I enjoyed every minute and all of my aspirations had been met. So much so, that I decided to return to complete the Professional Development Diploma in Furniture Making during 2010-11. I felt that it was vitally important to build on the vast amount that I had already learned and to learn new furniture making skills and techniques. Having hardly ever made anything from wood since my school days, I soon found myself producing some really good furniture using traditional methods and techniques. I have been exposed to many excellent lectures including Material Culture; the Structure and Science of Wood; Period Furniture and Pest Control. I have also benefited from trips to stately homes, Antique Fairs and external lectures. These as well as many other subjects and activities have broadened my understanding of wood, furniture, makers, material culture, art history and techniques. This invaluable information will remain always with me. One of the many joys of West Dean is the interaction between the students on different courses, enjoying their successes and creativity. West Dean has given me not only a fantastic education in Making Skills but also a broad cultural education. I would not have missed it for the world.