The Marchmont Workshop is run by Richard Platt and Sam Cooper. Our story begins in 2018, when we both stumbled across an advert on a green woodworking group on facebook. Lawrence Neal, then the last full time rush seated chair-maker in the UK, with the help of Hugo Burge and the Heritage Crafts Association, was looking for apprentices to carry on a chairmaking tradition dating back to 1890.
Lawrence started making chairs with his father in their Stockton workshop in 1966, and had never had the opportunity to train anyone and pass on his knowledge. Enter Hugo Burge, long time supporter of Lawrence and lover of the Arts and Crafts movement, who generously offered to sponsor two apprentices to ensure the craft continued for many years to come. We were interviewed in March 2018 and started just a few weeks later.
Over the next 2 years, Lawrence devoted his time to teaching us everything he knew about rush seated chairs. From how to select the correct ash and oak logs to mill for chairs and how to harvest and process our own rush to weave strong but comfortable seats, to turning delicate spindles, elegant chair legs and everything in between. We learnt on the job from day one, first working on the lathe or shave-horse producing parts for chairs, then honing our weaving technique on practice chairs and re-seating jobs.
Towards the end of our apprenticeship, we were nominated for and won the 2020 HCA Trainee of the Year award in recognition of our development and dedication to continuing a tradition passed down through 5 previous generations. Though in truth, most of the credit must go to Lawrence for allowing us into his world and passing on his knowledge, and that of the makers before him.