Splinters The BAFRA Student Section As BAFRA recognised an increasing number of bodies offering courses which gave a good grounding in the techniques of antique furniture restoration, it became clear that there was a potential supply of trainee restorers who could usefully be organised into a junior section of the Association. In 1993 the Student Section was formed. It has flourished from that time, and now has over 120 members - students still at college, and graduates from these colleges who are embarking on careers in restoration. Photo: A BAFRA expert demonstrating at the Uppark Seminar 2000. The colleges recognised by BAFRA as providing suitable training and qualifications are (in alphabetical order): Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, High Wycombe; Glasgow College of Building and Printing Lauder College, Dunfermline, Fife; Leeds College of Art and Design; Little Surrenden Workshops, Kent; Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT); Oxford & Cherwell College, Oxford, Oxfordshire; West Dean College, Chichester, Sussex; York College of Further & Higher Education. Every year, in July, student members from these colleges are invited to submit pieces they have restored, in competition for the BAFRA Prize. Graduate members from the above colleges may, on completion of four full years practising as restorers and in continuous membership of the Student Section, apply for elevation into full membership of BAFRA. Members of the BAFRA executive assess their abilities and compliance with the Association's Code of Ethics, to judge their suitability for full membership. Affiliate membership is available to practising restorers who have not attended one of the above colleges but have, to the satisfaction of BAFRA, proved themselves to be undertaking conservation and restoration in line with the Association's high standards. The Student Section committee runs an annual conference, at one or other of the above colleges, provides a very informative newsletter called SPLINTERS six times a year, and organises visits to furniture collections around the country. For further information, and requests for application forms, please contact the Membership Secretary of the Student/Graduate Section: Ernest Riall 44 Bridle Road Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 7RP Tel: 01628 621077 Email: RIALL1@tiscali.co.uk Return to Home Page © 2001 BAFRA