Alan
In 1975 at the tender age of 13 he started doing little jobs in his Uncle’s upholstery workshop to earn some pocket money. Making the tea, sweeping the floor and helping to strip out furniture ready for re-upholstery.
Following on from his Apprenticeship, Alan has worked for numerous upholstery firms in and around Dorset and Hampshire and as far afield as Liberty, North Carolina in the USA. Over the years he has trained or helped train numerous upholsterers one of whom went on to win a national competition held by the Rural Development Commission in the early 1990’s. Whilst doing all of that he was also a Rugby Referee, which although not connected in any way to upholstery, fuelled his passion for learning and teaching. He was a Regional Referee Trainer for a number of years with the Rugby Football Union. This led on to Alan studying Education at the University of Winchester as a Mature Student. Hence his other passion. Teaching. (Still working as an upholsterer whilst studying etc.)
In his own words “It doesn’t matter what we learn, or where we learn it. What does matter is how we learn. It should be a pleasure to learn, and that comes down to how we are taught.”
Wendy
She’s the lady at the other end of the telephone when you call. Dealing with all aspects of Administration and Accounts, as well as looking after the fabric shop.
