Woodworkers’ awards
12th December 2017

An 18 year-old apprentice’s window sample that led to a six-figure Mayfair contract, a grand Edwardian house restoration and the creation of an FD30 grade fire door were among the highlights in this year’s British Woodworking Federation awards ceremony at London’s Drapers’ Hall.

Oliver Walker, 18 years old, of Gowercroft Joinery in Derbyshire, was named Apprentice of the Year for his work on a bespoke window sample for a property in Mayfair which led to an order for windows and doors totalling over six figures.

Project of the Year award went to Gelder Joinery for its restoration of an Edwardian house in Oxfordshire (pictured), praised by judges for the project’s ‘beautiful restoration, unparalleled detail and design excellence’. Gelder supplied 32 windows, 12 door sets, three large garage door sets, a summer house with decorative roof structure, a stable block and numerous other items, all from its business of ten employees.

Project Design in Wood went to the team at Morland, in Powys for the design, innovation and technical excellence on their ABS Edge Banded Melamine Faced FD30 Fire Doors, praised by judges for combining high-end quality with mass market budgets.

BWF Chief Executive Iain McIlwee later said: “In a landscape of economic and business uncertainty, there was a real sense of energy and positivity during the evening. People are genuinely proud to be in the woodworking sector and love what they do. From the many entries we had for the apprentice and trainee awards in particular, there is a sense that we are attracting some great new talent into the industry and offering rewarding career opportunities – something that needs to continue.”

We had a record number of entries for this year’s awards and it has reminded us again how outstanding and innovative the talent in the UK is, across both businesses and individuals. It’s fantastic to celebrate the fact that this great industry is continuing to thrive.”