Built Heritage Craft Skills Centre Unveiled

A NEW HERITAGE training facility has opened in the South Downs to preserve traditional building crafts for future generations.

Conservation construction specialist DBR (London) Limited has opened a new Craft Skills Education Centre in the South Downs National Park dedicated to preserving the nation’s built heritage.

Built Heritage Craft Skills Centre

Developed from disused barns attached to DBR’s Southern offices on the Wiston Estate near Worthing, the centre will be a hub for traditional craft skills education.

It will operate as both a training facility and a fully-working historic building conservation space, providing real-world experience for learners as well as conservation services to clients. This dual approach ensures students gain practical skills in an authentic environment.

Featuring a purpose-built lecture theatre alongside specialist masonry and joinery conservation workshops, it will offer a wide range of different services including:

• NVQ training for heritage craftspeople, including stonemasons, joiners, conservators, stone cleaners and more.
• Heritage introduction taster days for local schools and colleges.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars for practicing professionals and associated trades, such as roofing.

Skills Gap

Adrian Attwood, DBR Chairman said, “Every cathedral spire, every historic timber frame, every piece of carved stonework depends on skills that risk being lost forever.

“This special new space will aim to address that persistent narrative as part of our armoury in educating the next generation of craftspeople. It embodies our motto of ‘Making sure the past has a future.’

“We’re creating a space in the picturesque South Downs where the craftspeople of tomorrow, from stonemasons, and joiners to conservators and heritage technicians can learn and be inspired, leaving with the knowledge they need to ensure our built heritage endures.”

Future Generations

Jack Herniman, Contracts Manager at DBR, who will co-lead the centre alongside Adrian Attwood, adds, “We’re particularly excited about engaging with local schools and colleges, to introduce future generations of talent to traditional building methods and techniques. We hope the experience we offer will enthuse these young visitors and encourage future careers in conservation and address the critical skills gap in our sector.”

This move, builds on DBR’s legacy of excellence, as a Founding Member of the Historic England Skills Forum and a Royal Warrant-holding company.

The new centre represents an expansion of their commitment to training, providing a permanent base for educational initiatives.

The Craft Skills Education Centre can be contacted on 01273 309 618.

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