The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

SPAB
37 Spital Square
LONDON
E1 6DY

T: 020 7377 1644
F: 020 7247 5296
E: info@spab.org.uk

Charity No. 111 3753

Scottish Charity No. SC 039244

Company No.  5743962

VAT No. 577 4276 02

 

 

 

Three or four Fellowships are awarded each year depending on funding available.

 

We are looking for candidates for the 2008 Fellowships now.  The closing date is 1st January 2008.  Please do contact the SPAB for more details.

** NEW FOR 2008 ** We will be offering our first Millwrights Fellowship. Contact details for more information as below.

 

The course of practical training is divided into three blocks of two months, enabling the Fellows to return to their employment in between each block.  

 

During the first two blocks the Fellows travel as a group the length and breadth of the country making daily site visits, studying repair projects at first hand and meeting professionals, contractors and craftsmen. On site they see at first hand, and discuss, traditional building construction, the decay and repair of materials and the range of techniques available.

 

The third block of training is devoted to the individual needs and interests of each Fellow in consultation with their employers.

The programme runs from mid-March to Christmas. There are no course fees as training and administrative costs are borne by the SPAB. Successful candidates will receive an award to cover basic travel and living costs.

 

The course is full-time, occasionally including weekends, and it is impossible to combine it with any other form of work or study. Candidates must be aware that Fellows are away from home for long periods.

Craftsmen and women from any trade employed in the repair of historic buildings on site or in workshops and studios. Candidates must have completed their apprenticeship and demonstrate a high degree of competence. Fellows are usually in their 20s or 30s but older candidates will not be excluded.

 

For full details and an application form please write to the Education Officer, SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY or email: education@spab.org.uk

 

The closing date for applications is 1^st January each year and interviews are held in London at the end of January.

 

 

The William Morris Craft Fellowship only keeps going thanks to charitable donations. To give it a more secure future a group of former Fellows - all young craftsmen - launched their own appeal (Patron HRH The Prince of Wales) to raise enough money to endow Fellowships in perpetuity. In 2002 they passed their first target of £250,000. Please help them to reach their next goal of endowing at least two Fellowships annually.

 

If you would like to contribute or know of charitable trusts, companies or individuals who might be interested in supporting the Appeal, please contact us at the SPAB. Remember, if you are a British taxpayer the Government has now made it possible for us to reclaim tax on any donation, of any size. We also welcome support from other countries.

The website for the Trust is not available at the moment, but please find a scanned copy of their flyer here.

 

 

Fellows have the opportunity to develop their own particular craft skills to new levels of excellence. Many former Fellows have risen to positions of responsibility where they are able to impart their knowledge and enthusiasm to other craftsmen. In these ways the Fellowship is helping to raise the standard of building conservation skills and the status of craftsmen involved.

Sarah Pennal Fellow 1995

Trade: Stonemason/Carver/Repairer

Training before Fellowship: Art Foundation course, followed by four year apprenticeship at Salisbury Cathedral.

 

"My on site teacher at Salisbury encouraged me to apply for the Fellowship and I thought that it was the right time. The best three visits of my Fellowship were: the John Soane Museum in London, which blew my socks off; harling a house in Wales and an historical tour of Saffron Walden.

 

"It was wonderful to see the broader picture and how different people go about different things. The Fellowship gave me a lot more confidence. I know now where to find materials, information and contacts.

 

My only complaint was not getting enough time with particularly interesting people and projects – if only it could have been longer!"

 

Richard Jordan Fellow 1999

Trade: Slater & Tiler

Training before Fellowship: on the job with father’s company

 

"Our company was approached by the SPAB for candidates to apply to the fellowship and I thought I’d get a lot out of it. It really has helped to give me enthusiasm and confidence to push for real conservation. The most interesting sites for me were: Stirling Castle and learning how the Scots do their slating. Also a unique quarry of Harnage slate that was re-opened to repair Pitchford Church.

 

It was very useful to learn about the rest of buildings (not just the roofs). Our time spent with Tim Ratcliffe and Stafford Holmes learning how to burn, slake and use lime was brilliant."

 

Richard will continue the family business when his father retires at the end of this year.