Life

Day in the life of Dave Burton: a second year, non-residential diploma student studying Conservation of Furniture and Related Objects

"My day starts an hour’s drive from West Dean College in the Meon Valley, a reasonable commute and one that is amply rewarded every day. Whatever the weather or the state of the prevailing traffic as I turn into the college and slip between the imposing iron gates everything else seems to get left behind at the entrance. Though I am halfway through my second year at the College and I am still just as impressed by the view as one drives down to the student car park as I was on the very first day.

A carefully timed arrival at the college usually allows enough time to grab a cup of coffee from the Dining Room and to spend twenty minutes with the daily newspapers in the Steward’s bar. At around 8.30am I head up to my bench as the furniture department is always open as I arrive to join my fellow students.

Our tutors arrive at 9am and the working day begins in earnest, with discussions and practical demonstrations throughout the day as our tutors are available for large parts of most days, help is always at hand. The student to staff ratio is such that superb expert advice, whether that be in your own department, or in another often closely related discipline, is never usually more than a few minutes away.

In my discipline of conservation a great deal of research can be necessary and the librarians are a great source of knowledge and guidance, combined with a well stocked library and a beautiful working environment it somehow never seems a chore. The house is the sort of environment that cannot help but inspire you, only a couple of weeks ago I walked past two Salvador Dali pieces on my way to a science lesson! Beauty is all around you here, both within and without.

A typical West Dean day is punctuated by two tea-breaks, one at ten thirty and one at three thirty, with lunch being at twelve thirty sharp. The quality of the catering here is outstanding with hot, cold and vegetarian food being served every day, ones sustenance is never a problem.

The college always seems to buzz with anticipation and excitement; there is an energy here that is hard to explain. The end of the day comes all too soon and it’s time for the drive home and the reflection that brings, and already I’m looking forward to going back the next day.

My time at West Dean will always stay with me as professionally it is not only the very best possible education and training I could have hoped for, but also as a very enjoyable and sociable period of my life in which I have made some great new friends and colleagues.

All I could say to anyone considering attending the college – do it – I guarantee you will be glad you did."

Dave Burton
Postgradute Diploma in Conservation of Furniture and Related Objects