www.nadfas.org.ukNADFAS REVIEW / SUMMER 201125GRANT GIVINGsculptures. During my time there I wasinvolved with the conservation of theUK's oldest equestrian lead sculptureand also worked on two different AntonyGormley sculptures.My time at West Dean and with HallConservation has greatly improved mypractical techniques and increased myknowledge of metals conservation. Thesecond semester at West Dean focuseson the conservation of copper and itsalloys along with arms and armour. Ilook forward to the challenges thesecomposite objects bring and am greatlylooking forward to starting the researchrequired for my chosen MA project. NATIONAL TRUST HERITAGESKILLS TRAINEESIn October 2010 the Grants Committeeawarded £5,000 from the Patricia FayMemorial Fund to the National Trust (NT)'Heritage Skills Passport TrainingProgramme'.The grant will providetravel bursaries for 10 trainees. The programme will train 30 individualsover three years and is aimed at peoplewho are currently under-represented inthe heritage sector, from a diverse rangeof backgrounds, including young peopleaged 16-25, members of the black andminority ethnic (BME) community, andpeople with disabilities. At one of the NT's incredible properties,they'll complete a one-year paid trainingcontract, carrying out on-the-job trainingand benefiting from the experience ofNT professionals as their mentors. Theskills will be tailored to their individualneeds and aspirations, and they'll leavewith an impressive National Trust HeritageSkills Passport (NTHSP) portfolio and animproved chance of employment. TheNTHSP is a quality framework that theprogramme trainees will follow and thiswill be developed throughout the life ofthe project. The NT is hoping to gainaccreditation of the NTHSP throughworking with an awarding body.The first 10 traineeships began in March2011 and are themed around skills andtraining in Houses and Collections. Eachtrainee will have a small travel allowanceprovided by the HLF (£350), but this willonly be sufficient for them to attend theirinduction, end of project meeting andtwo group training sessions per year.NADFAS funding will allow the students,who will be hosted all over the country,from Seaton Deleval in the north east toDunster Castle in the south west,to visita range of properties during their year toincrease their knowledge by incorporatingmore diversity. The NADFAS grant of£500 per trainee will allow between fiveand 10 additional learning visits duringtheir year with the organisation andhugely boost their awareness andexposure to the wider heritage sector.LYDIA STIRLING: ARACONSERVATION TRAININGSCHEME, HIGHLAND ARCHIVECENTREOver the last three months on the ARAConservation Training Scheme I havecontinued to participate in a number ofconservation projects at the HighlandArchive Centre. In addition, I completedtwo placements at outlying institutes,including the chemistry module and theseal repair module.At the Highland Archive Centre I havebeen concentrating on the repair of abadly damaged Valuation Roll from the island of Skye. In order to stabilisethe text block I have had to carry out alarge number of tear repairs and paperin-fills. Currently, I am in the process ofre-binding the volume.Above:NADFASgrants areenablingNational TrustHeritage SkillsTrainees to gain a broaderunderstanding of the heritagesector

At HARC there is a large collection ofsecond edition Ordnance Survey mapsin desperate need of attention. This hasbeen an ongoing project and hasinvolved procedures such as dry surfacecleaning, pressure sensitive tape removal,alkalisation, tear repair and re-lining. In each case, dry surface cleaningwas carried out using grated vinyl eraser.Care was taken to avoid those areaswhere graphite annotations had beenadded. Tape stains were reduced overthe low-pressure table using acetone,which effectively dissolved the oxidizedadhesive residue. The action of thevacuum table and the use of absorbentfilter paper were sufficient to minimisethe risk of tide-lines. Once a map hadbeen cleaned and the stains had beenreduced, it was transferred onto themap wall over a layer of Japanese liningpaper. Missing areas were then in-filledwith Mulberry paper, and tears weresupported with Japanese tissue. I hope to be able to book a thirdplacement to study paper repair in thenear future. In the meantime, I willcontinue to work at the Highland ArchiveCentre and will be giving a talk on myIntroduction Week at the Society ofArchivists Conference in September. STRAWBERRY HILL: CAMPAIGNFOR DRAWING EVENTThe Campaign for Drawing event atStrawberry Hill has been a great success.It was our first event at the restoredhouse and Kingston-Upon-ThamesDFAS kindly supported our applicationto NADFAS for sponsorship to create ahuge (3m high) cardboard model ofWalpole's cabinet replacing the statueson the top - originally Palladio and IñigoJones - with one Ken and two Barbiedolls improved with Plaster of Paris andsprayed gold. NADFAS also paid for allour drawing materials for the event, whichlasted several months and includedgroups as diverse as English as anadditional language friendship groups,classes from local schools and groupsof children from the local Brownies. Some kind Friends of Strawberry Hilldonated fabulous costumes and ClaireCoskie created several spectacular18th-century style bejewelled wigs, thematerials for which were also funded byNADFAS. The many children and adultsthat came did not disappoint and filledthe cabinet with gold framed portraits ofthemselves and their friends as well assome reluctant fathers who were forcedto wear a wig. Everyone that cameenjoyed dressing up, having fun,creating portraits and then framing themin handmade golden rococo frames.WILL CHURCH: FOUNDATIONAPPRENTICESHIP, EDWARDBARNSLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUSTI studied at Moulton College for threeyears where I gained levels 1, 2 & 3 City& Guilds in Furniture and Cabinet Making.I decided I wanted to pursue a career infurniture making as I found it rewardingto work on something tangible. I wasmade aware of the FoundationApprenticeship at The Edward BarnsleyEducational Trust from an early stage atcollege and since that point hadaspirations of gaining an apprenticeship. The workshop is well known for itsemphasis on handwork and has ahistory of creating furniture of a superbstandard. I applied for the apprenticeshipin 2009 but was encouraged to reapplyonce I had completed my course atcollege. My second application wassuccessful and I joined the workshop inSeptember 2010.The first three months are spent usingonly hand tools; this emphasis onhandwork is unique to the Barnsley26NADFAS REVIEW / SUMMER 2011www.nadfas.org.ukWorkshop. It allowed me to becomeconfident using these tools and oncethis period was completed, machineswere phased in. The combination ofhand tools and machines are then usedwith accuracy being fundamental. It hastaken me a while to adapt to deadlinesbut I have learnt a lot of new techniquesand become aware of the realities of aworking environment. Having justcompleted my first commission I amnow working on a commissioned TVcabinet, and it is extremely rewarding towork on something that specificallymeets the client's needs andexpectations of quality. I hope to continue improving for the remainder of the first year and I would love the opportunity to stay on and complete a full three-yearapprenticeship. I plan to develop mydesign skills in the long-term and amconsidering a furniture design degree at university. I would like to thank the Patricia FayMemorial Fund for supporting myapprenticeship at the Edward BarnsleyEducational Trust. GRANT GIVINGTop:LydiaStirling haslearnt a numberof conservationtechniquesAbove:Strawberry Hill'sCampaign forDrawinginvolved thelocal community Left:Will Churchat work on a coat stand