Colleges Collaborate with Trust for the Future of Heritage Buildings 

Students from Chichester and Crawley College took part in an Taster Day at Weald and Downland Living Museum this week.

On Tuesday 4 June, students put their craftsmanship skills to the forefront as the Sussex Heritage Trust welcomed this career changing opportunity.

Funded by the South Downs National Park Authority, the Sustainable Communities Fund – South Downs Trust and The Foyle Foundation, the day was designed to encourage the next generation of builders into exciting new careers in building conservation.   

A total of 27 students from both colleges, at the start of their careers with local construction businesses, got the opportunity to ‘taste’ four different building crafts: Practical Timber Repairs taught by timber expert Joe Thompson, Brickmaking taught by Weald and Downland Living Museum interpreter Steve Scott and tutor, William Cove, Hurdle Making taught by the museum curator, Julian Bell and Wattle & Daub taught by learning officer, Mark Harvey and curator assistant, Piotr Dlugaszek.  

Crawley College student, Dantina Gillet, who is currently studying a L3 in Bench Joinery said: “This taster day has honestly been so much fun and never did I think I could build an actual wall from cow manure.”

“I think it was so important for all of us to get a taste for how the industry worked all those years ago and especially as some of these methods are still used now.  the day had “given him ambition to progress further in the firm he is working with using the new skills he has learnt.” 

All students who attended the Taster Day will be given the opportunity to have further learning opportunities at the Weald and Downland Living Museum through the Sussex Heritage Trust Bursary Scheme.  This scheme offers young people funding for short courses in building conservation and then opportunities to work with local companies and employers.   

Duncan Berry, who runs Berry Stonework and Kingley Vale Lime and Flint, and has taken on a number of apprentices, explained to the students: ” You would be mad to not take this opportunity.  I left school with no GCSEs and I now run my own business as a flint worker.   

“The apprentices I have taken on have all benefited from the Sussex Heritage Trust bursary scheme.” 

Neil Redman, Teaching and Learning Manager at Chichester College, expressed just how important opporutnities are for students as they make their way through either courses or apprenticehips.

He said: “You can see the students are buzzing from all the activities and the feedback we received at the end of the day showed just how passionate our students are about not only modern craftsmanship but how things once were.”   

Deborah Hodson, Head of Learning and Interpretation at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, masterminded the Taster Day programme to encourage more young people into heritage crafts. She explained: “I felt there was a missing link between teenagers and young adults and learning in colleges and apprenticeships, to learn more about heritage crafts and keep these skills alive. 

“By offering the Taster Day, and then further learning at the museum, young adults can aspire to do more in the building conservation industry.  From today you can see the students are really enjoying the new skills and are passionate to learn more.” 

Helen Reeve, CEO of the Trust, said: “It is imperative for the future of the wonderful historic buildings and landscape we have in Sussex, that more young people work in careers in building conservation.   

“The Taster Day is designed to inspire and encourage new talent and skills.  Thank you to our partners Weald and Downland Living Museum and Chichester College Group for helping us deliver such a successful day.   

Further thanks must go to our funders, especially, South Downs National Park Authority and South Downs Trust, who have championed the pilot scheme for young people to gain skills relating to the historic environment of the National Park.” 

To find out more about the Sussex Heritage Trust and the ‘Taster Day’, as well as our educational bursaries offering short courses in building conservation crafts go to www.sussexheritagetrust.org.uk