A statement by Andrew Varah, Chairman of the Bespoke Guild Mark Committee

"England's Bespoke Furniture Makers comprise hundreds of individuals, throughout the land, running their own businesses producing bespoke hand made furniture not only for the domestic market, but also very much for the overseas market. We intend to seek financial support through the Creative Industries Board to help this sector which contributes to this export industry. The furniture you see in this hall is but a fraction of the skill and expertise currently existing in this country. By viewing the websites of each exhibitor you will be amazed at the range of styles and examples of astounding craftsmanship this country has to offer. The United Kingdom is envied around the world, because for the past decade there are proportionally more contemporary furniture makers in this country than in any other.

As bespoke makers, and with the help of The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and the British Furniture Confederation, we are delighted to show, for the first time in the history of The Palace of Westminster, examples of our craftsmanship." 

The makers taking part in this exhibition were:

Last year "Infinity + 1" was the runner-up in the furniture category of the Wood Awards.

The Master's Outing to Harewood House and York - 5 and 6 July 2007

“Yorkshire hit by floods.” “Fire at York racecourse.” What portent of disaster heralded Liverymen and their guests as they headed to the venue for the Master’s Outing in early July? But approaching Harewood House along its tree-lined drive a pair of red kites was spotted wheeling over the lake – surely a sign that better things were in store.

Harewood House is a fine example of an English country house and of particular interest to the Furniture Makers for having all its original furniture commissioned from Thomas Chippendale.
Our party was fortunate in being guided by senior curators and members of the Chippendale Society who spoke with passion and were obviously delighted at the opportunity to speak to a group with a specialist interest.

The appetite for a detailed study of Harewood’s 16 state rooms is whetted by a visit to any one. Typically, the State Bedroom has some of Chippendale’s finest creations, the Diana and Minerva commode inlaid with ivory and a marquetry satinwood secretaire. We were privileged to see these fine pieces opened for us so that we could appreciate the craftsmanship behind the veneer. It was amazing to hear that some pieces had been discovered only in recent years languishing in a stable block on the estate and were being discarded by workmen onto a bonfire!

Over a cream tea liverymen were able to reflect on the fact that Chippendale had employed carvers, turners, upholsterers, wagoners, book-keepers, etc., yet, for all his fame, left little wealth. Have times changed?

That evening, following a black tie reception and dinner in our hotel, we were treated to a unique private demonstration of talent by the Master’s family and friends as they directed, conducted and played in a fully staged and costumed selection of numbers from Queen’s hit musical, "We Will Rock You", performed by the Basics Junior Theatre School from Burnley. The polished first public performance by these young people left their appreciative audience greatly moved.

The enthusiastic comment carried on in the hotel bar when an attempt was made to emulate the celebrated Grinling Gibbons who, during his time in York, is recorded as having "sate up full late with agreeable Companie."

Next morning another full day commenced with a visit to York Minster, an impressive example of English medieval architectural development over 250 years. Again an enthusiastic guide highlighted items of particular interest to our group and demonstrated that a much longer visit would be required fully to appreciate the building.

Lunch was taken at Bettys – a once-dilapidated furniture store (!) rebuilt into an elegant café by the designers and craftsmen responsible for the Queen Mary. Here platters of savoury pastries and sweets, washed down with copious quantities of Swiss wine served by waitresses more used to topping up cups of tea, were much enjoyed.

Those still hungry for more culture then moved to Fairfax House, reputedly "the most perfect 18^th Century townhouse in England" The house by John Carr is now complemented by the Noel Terry (yes – he of the Chocolate Orange) Collection of fine 18^th Century furniture.
Unusually, we were allowed, indeed encouraged, to handle the pieces and so had a stronger appreciation of the skills of craftsmen producing drawers, doors and slides which operate as smoothly today as they did 250 years ago. The Master’s wife, Jennifer, had the rare treat of being persuaded to demonstrate further her keyboard skills on a pair of period instruments, a spinet and a clavichord. Only our 21^st. century costumes betrayed the true date of the gathering in the Music Room!

Finally, that evening, in spite of a brisk wind, we sat out in the lee of the hotel enjoying, for many, the first barbeque of the summer. When a truce was declared over whether Northerners or Southerners could stay out longest we repaired indoors to enjoy an intimate evening with a final toast to the Master and Jennifer with our thanks for a memorable Outing with, in Gibbons’ words, "agreeable Companie."