The National Fine Crafted Wood competition began to encourage the use of the plentiful supply of New Forest timber for commercial, hobby or educational use, and a means of stimulating the local economy and encouraging wood related arts and crafts.
Now in its 9th year, The New Forest Trust saw many students enter their hand crafted furniture into the Fine Crafted Wood Exhibition (held at The New Forest & Hampshire County Show) as well as 22,000 visitors to the pavilion.
The students who are currently undertaking college degrees or apprenticeships in furniture making got the chance to talk directly to the public and show off their furniture.
The overall winner was Richard Illingworth from Oxford who had made a table made form sycamore and ripple sycamore and he won the best design AND the best craftsmanship – a first for the competition to have the same winner.
Charlie Dedman from Chichester College, won the first prize of £100 for students from further educational establishments for his ‘Turner Chair’
The winner of the People’s Choice vote was Edd Lewis, a local man based at Downton whose winning piece was a bed.
The organisers now can’t wait for the 2016 event!!
