Carpenters Fellowship Special Project – Llys Llewellyn: A Royal Welsh Court for St Fagan’s Museum

Background to the Project

Llys Llewellyn (welsh for Llewellyn’s Court) is intended to be a reconstruction of one of the five royal residences that were in use in Wales in the early part of the 13th Century. Sadly none of these buildings has survived. The Carpenters’ Fellowship UK, working alongside the archeology experts of the Museum have created a design for this timber and stone building based on evidence from contemporary surviving wooden halls.
The construction is to be undertaken by a core team of CF members but other CF participants will be given the opportunity to get involved at the stage immediately prior to the site erection of the building.
All participants in the course will have the opportunity to contribute to the fabric of this unique building which will be a spectacular living history resource for many generations to come.

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Focus on: Ant Sawyer – Self Employed Carpenter

 

This month we chatted to Ant Sawyer who is a former apprentice of OFTF about what he does now and what he hopes for the future – enjoy!

What does your role involve?

As well as subcontracting in the workshops and onsite for Carpenter Oak, Emmanuel Hendry and Oakleigh Design Build in Devon; I also design (site survey, draw on SketchUp) and build oak frames directly for clients. I also have a small peg making operation!

What do you like about your job?

I like the variation between office (drawing) workshop (when it’s raining) and site work (when it’s sunny!)

What’s your working day like?

8am-5pm Monday to Saturday – although being self-employed evenings and Sundays are often taken up with quoting for the next job or accounting etc. When on site, I am away from home during the week – which is probably one week every couple of months on average.

What skills do you need in your job?

To be a useful subcontractor you have to have qualifications and tickets that allow you to be on site. CSCS Health and Safety as a minimum, but tower scaffold, telehandler, MEWP and Slinger/Signaller are all useful/essential to remain employable!

Tools and experience build as you progress – so I’d say a positive, honest attitude and an ability to communicate are things you should bring to the table as an oak framer!

What was your background before starting this role?

During my 20’s I was an athlete with the British Athletics squad (Decathlon – Commonwealth Games 2002) and then the British Skeleton Team (World Ranking of 6^th in 2007/8) I didn’t make the cut for the 2010 Winter Olympics so it was time for a career change!

I started carpentry with a course at The Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis, then an oak framing course at Woodenways, 2 years at Oakwrights, then completed my apprenticeship with several projects and tutors at The Oak Frame Training Forum in Bristol – which for me was a great experience, combining exposure to different techniques with great networking opportunities (i.e. beers round the fire!)

What are you most proud of in your career?

I’m glad I have a desire to learn, and a belief that you can make a happy career oak framing!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

I’ll be 47!! Still in South Devon – in a home I’ve built – kids, veg patch, little boat – 3 day week working week!!!

A bit of advice for anyone thinking about a career in construction?

Be an intelligent craftsman – aspire to be at least!!