Apprentice Joiner works on listed building
Wed, 27 May 2015 08:29:00 BST
IT’S NOT every day that an apprentice joiner has the opportunity to work on a listed building that’s been at the heart of education in Huddersfield for more than a century.
Tom Rose, 20, got to do just that by making and fitting some of the new windows for the University of Huddersfield’s Ramsden Building.
It was built by architect Edward Hughes in 1881-4 who was a protégé of the famous Sir Gilbert Scott, who specialised in the fashionable, medievally-influenced Gothic style. Hughes was also the designer of Huddersfield Market Hall, Huddersfield Bank and Spring Grove School.
Over the years, the Ramsden Building has been upgraded and restored in keeping with the building’s original Victorian Gothic style. It was opened in 1883 as Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute, the amalgamation of Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institution and Huddersfield Female Educational Institute.
The ornate facade of the building is adorned by lions holding shields which bear the coats of arms of Sir Thomas Brooke, Huddersfield Corporation, Sir John William Ramsden and the Clothworkers’ Company.
Opportunity to develop skills
Huddersfield-born Tom started working for the University almost two years ago as an apprentice joiner. During this time, he has learned a range of skills and techniques from the team of experienced joiners on staff. “When I found out about the work planned for the Ramsden Building I jumped at the chance to be part of the project. I’m proud to have been part of the team who has worked on this impressive building for over two months.”
As it is a listed building the team was tasked with retaining the original character of the windows. Making the windows in the on-site joiners’ workshop, they opted to use haunched mortise and tenon joints, a method used by woodworkers for thousands of years and one which was also used for the original windows.
The windows and frames which needed replacing featured an iron bar through the central frame behind the central stone mullion. “We had to unbolt the iron bar and remove the frame before we could continue with our work. We tried to keep any disruption to a minimum as we were working around staff carrying out their daily work in the offices located on the second floor of the building.”
Future Plans
During his apprenticeship Tom spends one day a week at the Brunel Construction Centre, which is part of Kirklees College. He has now completed his basic training and as a qualified joiner he is now able to work more independently. He hopes to progress on to his third year with the University where he can develop his skills further by learning bespoke joinery including roofs, stairs and windows.
Huddersfield-born Tom was a student at Honley High School and when he left job opportunities were limited. He decided to study sport at Huddersfield New College for two years before pursing his real ambition to develop a trade, with joinery being his first choice.
When Tom saw the apprentice position advertised at the University he jumped at the chance and has not looked back. “Over 100 people applied for the post so when I got the call saying that I’d been successful I was over the moon. I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work on such an impressive building and to develop my craftsmanship. I feel like I’ve achieved something that not many people have had the opportunity to do.”
Supervisor Michael Wrench has seen Tom’s skills as a joiner continue to grow during the last two years. “Tom has become a valued member of the team and is happy to undertake any job given to him. He has a good eye for detail and has proved this with his work on the Ramsden Building’s window manufacture and replacement. Tom is a credit to both himself and the apprenticeship scheme and in time will become a highly-competent joiner.”
