The Abbey joins the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship
Thursday, 17th November 2022
Westminster Abbey has joined the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship (CWF) which exists to provide training to the next generation of craftspeople.
About the CWF
Since its foundation in 2006, many of the country’s most significant cathedrals have joined the CWF. It is a thriving partnership which aims to deliver high-quality, accredited training and education to the next generation of craftspeople so that they have the skills needed to care for historic buildings for years to come. A key part of this is the CWF Foundation degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair, which to date has over 50 graduates. Westminster Abbey becomes the eleventh member of the CWF.
CWF Foundation degree course
The Abbey joined the CWF last month and it is planned that a member of the Abbey’s Clerk of the Works team will join the next cohort on the CWF Foundation degree course at a student.
Funded by the Hamish Ogston Foundation, the student will gain vital knowledge surrounding the care and conservation of our historic buildings, under the guidance of leading industry experts.
'Sustaining the highest standards of craftmanship'
Paul Baumann, Receiver General, said:
'At the Abbey we have long been committed to sustaining the highest standards of craftmanship in maintaining and developing our unique buildings. By joining the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship we are linking to a number of the country’s most significant Cathedrals, who share our belief in the importance of developing and maintaining these essential skills. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and to playing our part in nurturing crafts which are part of our shared inheritance and key to our future.'
Frances Cambrook, Executive Director of the CWF, said:
‘We have had an informal association with Westminster Abbey for many years and we are delighted that they have now joined us formally to become our eleventh member. We look forward to welcoming their first student to our Foundation degree course next year and supporting him to develop his craft skills and conservation expertise for the benefit of this magnificent abbey church.’
Picture: PA Wire/PA Images
