The Company maintains strong links with the trade of upholstery through our Warden to the Trade and The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers. Many Freemen and Liverymen of the Company, including members of the Court, Past Masters and Wardens are also active members of The Association.
Each year the Company supports students by giving awards in Upholstery, Soft Furnishing and Furnishing Design and Manufacture. The prizes total £2,400 and are presented at the Guildhall University in June - usually with the Lord Mayor in attendance. Bursaries to the value of £1,250 are also distributed each year to enable students to continue their courses.
The design award on the HND and BA courses has been recently introduced. It has always been difficult to judge design because one has to be sure that a design can be made into a practical piece of furniture (it is rumoured that, back in the 18th century, Sheraton drew many designs which were impossible to make!). Each year the Judges examine the designs and choose one that will then be manufactured by a qualified upholsterer. There will be a continuing dialogue between the designer and the upholsterer and, it is hoped, this will be of great help to the student in his or her career.
The Association's craft awards are sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Upholders and are promoted nationally to over 250 colleges and training providers. The awards are open to all students of soft furnishing or upholstery at all levels.
Past Master Bertram Chapman M.B.E. and his son Stephen, who is also a member of the Livery, have been responsible for the restoration of soft furnishings in many of our historic Royal Palaces. Another member of the Livery and of the Warden to the Trade Committee, Mr. Ernest Spratling, is a working upholsterer and a Tutor of upholstery at the Guildhall University.
The General Manager and Secretary of the Association is Michael Spencer who was installed as an Honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Upholders on February 27th 1997, at a Court meeting held at Armourers' Hall, in recognition of the work he has done to promote and encourage the growing relationship between the Association and the Company.
In the Company Newsletter of Summer 1997 Michael wrote: "Links between the Worshipful Company and the Association have grown much stronger in recent years. It is the intention of the AMU to continue to build on the solid foundation and to develop even closer links with the Company. I know that many Liverymen share the dreams and aspirations of recent Past Masters to see the Livery take its place within the industry as a recognised trade body. Further development of ties with the Association will assist both organisations in their aims and objectives to ensure the craft of upholstery is maintained and that standards within the industry excel."
Footnote:
Year 2003 - Michael Spencer is now a Liveryman of this Company.
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