At a time of growing national demand for highly trained craftsmen and women from all disciplines The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ (SPAB) has this year added a Millwright Fellowship to its prestigious annual William Morris Craft Fellowship training scheme to encourage and nurture young people from any trade employed in the repair of historic buildings.
Ironically, the need for skilled craftspeople able to care for these wonderful, working buildings comes at a time when there is increased interest in traditional milling and natural food production methods.
For 2008 the hunt is on to find a suitable young person to take up SPAB’s first ever Millwright Fellowship. This is a distinct and specialist area and the ideal candidate will probably combine an understanding and appreciation of historic building and construction with knowledge of engineering. In effect they will be a millwright ‘in embryo’. After joining the other Fellows as they tour the country, the Millwright Fellow will complete their training working alongside established millwrights, gaining experience repairing and maintaining mill buildings and the machinery within them.
Craftsmen and women from any trade employed in the repair of historic buildings on site or in workshops and studios may apply for the Fellowship. Candidates must have completed their apprenticeships and demonstrate a high degree of competence. Fellows are usually in their 20s or 30s, but older candidates are not excluded. The programme runs from mid March to Christmas. There are no course fees as training and administration costs are borne by SPAB as part of the award. Fellows also receive a bursary of £5,000 to cover basic travel and living expenses.
For further information or to obtain an application form please write to the Education Officer, SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY or email: education@spab.org.uk
The closing date for applications is 1st January each year and interviews are held in London at the end of January.
Website: http://www.spab.org.uk/html/
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