DBR, which works on the repair and maintenance of London鈥檚 grandest palaces, cathedrals and museums, has opened its Craft Skills Education Centre in the South Downs National Park.
Developed from a set of disused barns, attached to DBR鈥檚 southern headquarters on the Wiston Estate near Worthing, the centre will be a hub for traditional craft skills education.
The centre will operate as both a training facility and a fully-working historic building conservation space, providing real-world experience for learners while delivering joinery and masonry conservation services to clients. This dual approach ensures students gain practical skills in an authentic environment.
DBR described it as 鈥渁 significant milestone鈥� in the company鈥檚 30+ years鈥� commitment to preserving the nations built heritage.
With a purpose-built lecture theatre alongside specialist masonry and joinery conservation workshops, it will offer a range of 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 and for practicing professionals and associated trades. The facility features a purpose-built lecture theatre alongside specialist masonry and joinery conservation workshops.
DBR chairman Adrian Attwood 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鈥檙e 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."
Contracts manager Jack Herniman will run the centre alongside Adrian Attwood. He added: "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."
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