THE designer and manager of the renowned Edward Barnsley Workshop in Froxfield and an apprentice will give a free demonstration of their furniture making techniques on Saturday, October 3, at Petersfield Museum.

In the courtyard outside James Ryan and second-year apprentice Sam Brister will demonstrate several techniques involved in producing furniture such as hand planing and hand-cut dovetailing, a technique to join two pieces of wood with each other, for instance when making a drawer. They will also show how to make a breadboard and will be happy to answer any questions.

The event, between 11am and 2pm is free and booking is not required. However, visitors with an entry ticket to the museum also have a chance to see a display about the Edward Barnsley Workshop currently on show at the museum as well as other displays including the new temporary exhibition about Petersfield’s military history.

The workshop in Froxfield was first set up by Geoffrey Lupton to whom Edward Barnsley (1900-1987) was apprenticed. Edward’s first job was to help with the building of Bedales Library. From the tender age of 23 he ran the workshop himself and became its principal designer. The Edward Barnsley Workshop is known for exclusive, individually-produced furniture for churches and cathedrals, schools and numerous private clients. Since 1980 the workshop is run by an Educational Trust and has provided training for over 60 apprentices from all over the world.

Petersfield Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Entry is free for children, adults pay £2 for a single entry and £5 for an annual ticket.

(Photo: courtesy of the Edward Barnsley Workshop)