Upholsterer · the-telly upholsterers are too picky. They’re more into Six Hundred Quid Suites than being sacrosanct about a heavyweight hessian or wondrous new webbing. It’s

Upholsterer&Soft Furnisher

December/January/February 2011/2012

Official journal of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers www.upholsterers.co.uk

Flam regs Interiors showcaseTwo burning issues Birmingham review, Heimtex trends

Mobile - 07970 613 118 Fax - 01604 462721

[email protected]

Kalies’ Sundry SalesThe RIGHT Choice

* Foam – at very competitive prices* Brass/Chrome Castors* Silkfilm* Sofabed Actions* Upholstery Sundrys* Wooden Feet/Legs* Vinyl - Crib 5 & Source 1* Feather/Fibre Cushions –

Made in House

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IFC_USF_12_01_02_2012_ifc 01/12/2011 14:01 Page 1

www.upholsterers.co.uk 3

Comment

Jan TurnerEditor

Christmas is almost upon us again and, from what I’m hearing, itseems the best possible gift the professional upholsterer couldreceive would be some decent quality traditional ‘sundries’.

Nothing lavish, you understand. Just some well madetacks, decent hessian and quality webbing. And the certainknowledge that cotton felt will remain as it is, and in abundantsupply, for as long as traditional upholsterers exist.

Too much to ask for? It shouldn’t be. The subject of cottonfelt is covered once again in an update article on page 10. Asfor tacks, hessian and webbing it seems that since productionwent ‘offshore’ prices have gone up and quality down.

The third world countries that happily and hungrily took onproduction of these basic but vital materials once it was no longerviable in the UK have started doing quite nicely themselves. Sothey, in turn, have found more upmarket, profitable fabric lineson which to focus their attentions. Hessian and webbing justdon’t have the margins for them any more. And, let’s be honest,the quality end is hardly the stuff of mass production these daysis it? Who, apart from the skilled upholsterer, gives a twopenceabout top quality webbing and hessian?

I doubt some of the larger, mass production, always-on-the-telly upholsterers are too picky. They’re more into SixHundred Quid Suites than being sacrosanct about aheavyweight hessian or wondrous new webbing.

It’s the same with tacks. The DIY store giants, now by farthe biggest UK customers, don’t need to drive up the quality.Your average DIY enthusiast doesn’t have quite the samerelationship with the humble tack as the upholsterer whowants a good sharp, decent weight tack to work with. Theyspend half their working day with tacks in their mouth, forgoodness, sake. Working relationships don’t get much closerthan that.

There’s no easy solution in a world where supply anddemand dictate not only the volume available but the qualityof a product. But we can still vote with our feet. Don’t justaccept rotten quality goods without a murmur – make sureyour wholesale rep knows you’re not happy. Because if enoughof you grumble loudly enough and for long enough, they willseek out better products for you to work with.

I’m hearing of one wholesaler who’s tracked down a niceline in tacks in France, although we’ve yet to see the ‘colour ofhis money’. But if YOU do and they are any good, the greatestthing you can do for the trade is to let fellow upholsterersknow. Whether you’re in to tweeting, phoning, faxing orblogging, put the word out – because if enough people placeenough orders, it will be worth the while of producers tocontinue making it for you.

And getting back to quality you can count on could be likehaving all your Christmases at once.

Have a good one!

Jan Turner

Upholsterer&Soft Furnisher

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher

Editor: Jan Turner, AKA PRT: 01756 795374 F: 01756 798789E: [email protected]

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Upholsterer&Soft FurnisherDecember/January/February 2011/2012


Flam regsInteriors showcase

Two burning issuesBirmingham review, Heimtex trends

Mobile - 07970 613 118 Fax - 01604 [email protected]

Kalies’ Sundry SalesThe RIGHT Choice* Foam – at very competitive prices* Brass/Chrome Castors* Silkfilm

* Sofabed Actions* Upholstery Sundrys* Wooden Feet/Legs* Vinyl - Crib 5 & Source 1* Feather/Fibre Cushions –Made in House

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Free delivery available– call us to see if our vanis in your area

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KISS – Kalie’s Sundry Sales ‘The right choice’ Tel: 07970 613 118 Fax: 01604 462 [email protected]

Intercounty – ‘Lincolnshires Biggest Upholstery Suppliers’Tel: 01507 327 979 Fax: 01507 327 070www.intercountysupplies.comCountry House, Manby Business Park, Louth, Lincs LN11 8UT

03_USF_12_01_0212_03 05/12/2011 13:14 Page 3

04_USF_12_01_02_2012_04 01/12/2011 14:13 Page 1

www.upholsterers.co.uk 5

Contents

6 & 7 AMUSF News Update andBranch Briefings

8 Industry News

10 Taking Issue: HeartFELT Plea

12 Feature: Foaming with New Ideas

14 & 15 Case Studies

16 New Products

17 ProSkills Awards

18 Member Profile: Glover Bros

20 Special Report: Kent DinnerDance

22 Updates: Forward with FIRA andthe Key To Success

24 Memory Lane: A Treasure Troveof Memories

26 In the Hotseat: Mary Crack

News

FeaturesBBeessppookkee IInnssuurraannccee SSoolluuttiioonnssffoorr tthhee FFuurrnniittuurree IInndduussttrryy

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Please send us a copy of your current schedule and we will provide a competitiveno obligation quotation. We may be able tosave you 10–30% off your current premium

Check out our service and secure a quotationtoday by calling 01689 885 818

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Tel: 01689 877 800 Fax: 01689 877 879Web: www.gilesinsurance.co.uk

Giles Insurace Brokers Ltd is authorised & regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in Scotland No. 108909

AMUSF ContactsHead Office

Association Manager: Sheila Draper([email protected])

Wycombe House, 9 Amersham Hill, High Wycombe,Bucks, HP13 6NR

Tel: 01494 452965; Fax: 01494 769369Website: www.upholsterers.co.uk

Branch ContactsBeds, Bucks, Herts and North London – Wendy Shorter

Tel: 01727 824358Email: [email protected]

Hants & Dorset – Kevin Lee – Tel: 01489 572108Wales and West – Val and Des Fanning – Tel: 01823 400621

Email: [email protected] – Davin White – Tel: 0208 854 4402

London – Wynne Gilham – Tel: 01708 752333Surrey – Ron Mercure – Tel: 0208 941 4521

Scotland – Sandy Stewart – Tel: 01555 772052

Regional ContactsEast Anglia – Mark Polley – Tel: 01254 361665Yorkshire – Mavis Baddeley – Tel: 0113 2633031

Beds, Bucks & Herts – Bert Chapman – Tel: 01707 652932Email: [email protected]

West Midlands – Bob Bishton – Tel: 01543 257002 (daytime)Email: [email protected]

05_USF_12_01_0212_5 01/12/2011 14:14 Page 5

6 Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher December/January/February 2011/2012

AMUSF news roundup

WELCOME ABOARDThe AMUSF has recently welcomed twonew members on board. Both run byFrench upholsterers and based in Londonthey are Mille Couleurs and 180˚Upholstery.

Mille Couleurs specialises in fabricwalling using alltechniques,reupholsteringantique andcontemporaryfurniture andproviding abespoke designservice.

180˚ Upholsteryoffers a completeupholstery serviceincluding

redesign of existing furniture, chair caning,restoration and curtain service for privateand commercial customers.

LOGOS TO GO“A hallmark of quality” is how upholsterer Kevin Easterdescribed the AMUSF logo when U&SF asked why it wasso important to him to reproduce the image on his newdelivery van.

Based near Salisbury in Wiltshire, Kevin’s business - Summerlock Upholstery - is verymuch a family affair with daughter Carrie and son Mark (both seen in the picture withKevin and the newly logo’d van) both involved along with his wife Heather. After morethan 40 years in the trade – and nearly as long as an AMUSF member – Kevinunderstands the importance of highlighting membership of an association thatpromotes the skills of upholstery, by proudly displaying the logo.

Said association manager Sheila Draper: “Displaying the AMUSF logo is just one wayof maximising membership and the prestige which that confers. There are many othersimple steps that will help members to promote their business too.”

These include:• If you change your trading name, address, email address, tel or fax no or website lethead office know – you could be losing business otherwise!• Members can use the members’ crest on their websites and stationery. Both shouldinclude the business and trading name and full contact details, including the proprietor,a postal address, any website details, and coms( phone/ fax/email) details plus, ifapplicable, the company registered name, address and VAT number.

CHAPMAN’S MOVE After 71 years of working from leased workshops atCrouch Hill, North London, Albert E Chapman Ltd ismoving to Barnet in Hertfordshire into a recentlypurchased building of 8,000 square feet.

The company aims to be operating from there byJanuary 1 2012. Said Bert Chapman: “Theadvantages will be that, for the first time, the company will have offices and workshopsunder one roof.” Delivery vans will also have easy access to roller shutter doors and thereis parking space for company vans and staff cars.

Said Bert: “The disadvantage is that the site is seven miles further away from thecentre of London, the area from which a good proportion of our business derives.However, the md is happy that he can fall out of bed, roll down the hill and finish up inhis office!”

STORMIN’ NORMAN’S A CYCLING CHAMP AT 75!Upholsterer Norman Bright has become a national cyclingchampion – and he’s aged 75!

Norman, of Bright Upholstery in Stoke Newington, took part inthe League International Cycling National Championships inSeptember. It involved a 35-mile race across the NorthumberlandMoors in gale force winds but Norman prevailed and walked awaywith the gold medal and National Championship jersey in the over-70s category.

Said Norman, who still works as a part time upholsterer: “I’dactually had to cycle 15 miles to get to the race so it was quite a day– and I’d had a heavy cold and bout of gout in the days leading upto the race.”

Norman’s father was a founding member of the AMUSF (Bendoffs, Clapham).

FIRA UPDATE FLAM GUIDEFIRA has revised and updated the BritishFurniture Confederation's flammabilityguides.

The new documents have been fullyrevised to reflect 2010 changes.

Copies are available to view or downloadvia the FIRA, website www.fira.co.uk.

Chair by Mille Couleurs

AGM reportOn November 19, members and directorsmet for the 64th annual general meeting(AGM) of the association at The Oak Roomin High Wycombe, close to the AMUSF’shead office. After an opportunity to studythe venue’s beautiful oak panelling andstained glass windows and to review theupholstery on the embossed red leatherchairs, the ordinary general meeting gavemembers an opportunity to discussmatters informally, before the morestructured approach of the AGM, whichfollowed. Minutes of the meetings areavailable on the members-only section ofthe website and paper copies are availableon request to head office for any memberswho prefer them sent by post.

06-07_USF_12_01_0212_06-07 24/11/2011 10:33 Page 6

Upholsterer & Soft Furnisher 7

AMUSF news roundup

Branch briefingsn On Saturday October 1, members of the Beds, Bucks, Herts

and North London regional networking group, togetherwith students visited theWarner Textiles Archive atBraintree in Essex. Followinga talk about the weaving andtextile industry in the NorthEssex, Norfolk and Suffolkarea, members were shownbeautiful silks and fabricsproduced by Warners overthe years, including silks used by various members of theroyal family for weddings and the Queen’s Coronation. Thenext meeting will be held on Wednesday January 18 2012 at7.30 p.m. at Wendy Shorter Interiors, to discuss concerns ofthe industry. Wendy will also be giving an update andoverview of the UK Fire Regulations. Contact Wendy on01727 824358 or email:[email protected].

n In early October Surrey branch members met for Sundaylunch at Silvermere Golf Club and a good time was had by allincluding Andrew and Sharon Vipond, Ray and Mary March ,Pamela Langbridge and Barry and Mo Townsend fromTownsend Associates.

n The Hants and Dorset branch has had a quieter time thannormal as Kevin Lee has been unwell. However, things aregetting back to normal and a Christmas dinner will be held atThe John Barleycorn, Cadnam, Hants on Saturday December10 at 7.30 for 8.00. If you would like to come please contactMary Crack on 01489 572108.

n The Kent branch has had a busy few weeks with two outingsand a meeting. On September 25 Frank Geoghenan

organised a visit to theJubilee Sailing Trust.

A pub lunch in thedocklands wasfollowed by a stroll tothe ship, Tenaciouswhere members weretaken on a tour of thisamazing sailing ship,designed withwheelchair lifts between deck levels, a speaking compass andpower assisted steering to allow people with physicaldisabilities to enjoy sailing.

A few days earlier, on September 16, the branch held aninaugural fungal foray. 25 branch members, family andfriends descendedon Perry woods nearFaversham to joinMary Gray (localfungal enthusiastand modest expert)for an autumnalwalk with a twist.The group collectedindividual specimensfrom over 30 species in just over two hours. After the successof this year’s event members hope it will become an annualfeature of the Kent branch social calendar.

Points from the Kent branch meetings: Discussions tookplace regarding social events (a quiz night in October and theXmas Dinner Dance in November), AMUSF assessors andtraining and various technical issues including skirts, cottonfelt, tacks, testing facilities and castor socket removers. Tradewas reported to be picking up in November. Branch contact,Davin White on 020 8854 4402.

UNIQUE DESIGN CHALLENGE FORSTUDENTS AT INTERIORS UK Now into its third year, the Heico Fasteners Design competition will again be setting design-inspiredupholstery students the challenge of creating a chair incorporating the company’s decorative nails.

Students from leading upholstery training centres at the London Metropolitan University (LMU),Wendy Shorter Interiors of Hertfordshire, Traditional Upholstery Workshop in Carmarthenshire andTresithick Upholstery in Cornwall are all taking part and finished pieces will be judged by a panelheaded by AMUSF board member Joan Milton.

Winning pieces will be displayed on Heico Fasteners UK’s stand at the Interiors UK exhibition(January 22 – 25 at the NEC) where the results of the competition will be officially unveiled andprizes awarded.

Dave Read, general manager at Heico Fasteners UK, said: “The competition has grown over thelast three years with four training centres now involved. We’re really looking forward to seeing thefinished designs”.

In MemoriamMrs Dorothy Massey,widow of AMUSF memberBob Massey who worked asa master upholsterer inThorpe le Soken, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, passed awayon November 6 2011, aged 91. A funeral was held on November 21 atFrinton Catholic Church.The AMUSF wasrepresented by boarddirector Bert Chapman.

06-07_USF_12_01_0212_06-07 24/11/2011 10:36 Page 7

Industry roundup


EXHIBITION NEWSl Heimtextil, Frankfurt am Main, January 11 – 14: the

biggest international trade fair for home and contracttextiles is set to give another impressive demonstrationof its strength. 73,000 trade visitors and 2,600 exhibitorsfrom across the globe attended Heimtextil 2011.

l Interiors UK, NEC Birmingham, January 22 – 25: aunique opportunity for retailers, interior designers,architects and contractors to compare an array ofinspiring products from more than 600 exhibitors. Coversfurniture, lighting, flooring, soft furnishings andaccessories from high-end to volume and traditional tomodern for both the contract and home.

lMaison Et Objet, Paris Nord Villepinte, Jan 20 – 24:The home fashion showcase.

l Proposte, Villa Erba, Cernobbio (Como), Italy, May 8 –10: A world preview of furnishing fabrics and curtains.

Industry Charities MergeThe furnishing industry’s two charities - the charitable arm of theWorshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM) and theFurnishing Industry Trust (FIT) -have merged.

The new charity will be run by a board of eight trustees, drawnequally from the two previous organisations and chaired byEdward Tadros, chairman of FIT. Said Hugh Garforth-Bles, Masterof the Livery Company: “The merger makes huge financial senseand will produce a stronger, single benevolent associationsupporting people across the industry in times of need and alsothe training of individuals through student bursaries.”

FIT Lends a Hand toHomeless UpholstererA homeless upholsterer has been helped by the FurnishingIndustry Trust (FIT).

The man, in his forties, had lost his job and become homelesswhen FIT stepped in with a grant of £500 towards the cost of adeposit on a flat. Said FIT chief executive Charles Kerrigan: “Thecurrent climate has plunged many people and their families into astate of financial crisis and for many, charities like ours are theironly avenue of help.”

Bed Show ‘Oscars’ forIndustry WinnersWinners of this year’s bed industry ‘Oscars’, presented at theNational Bed Federation (NBF) Bed Show gala dinner, were:Hypnos for Bed Manufacturer of the Year; Maes Mattress Tickingfor Bed Supplier of the Year; John Lewis for Multiple Bed Retailerof the Year and Beaumont Beds for Independent Bed Retailer ofthe Year. Winners were all voted for by fellow bed industryprofessionals.

Worshipful Company of FurnitureMakers Launches ‘Green’ AwardBritish furniture manufacturers making the effort to be ‘greener’have the chance to be recognised in a new annual award from theWorshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM).

The Furniture Makers Sustainability Award is open to Britishmanufacturing members of the Furniture Industry SustainabilityProgramme (FISP) administered by FIRA International.

The trophy will be awarded to the company which has madenotable improvements in sustainable manufacturing during2011 in such areas as environmental waste, energy, packagingand transport management. The awards will be announced inMay 2012.

Hypnos team presented with Manufacturer of the Year Award.From L-R Stephen Ward, Angela Shenton, Peter Keen, James Keen and Alison

Featherstone (all Hypnos) with impressionist Jon Culshaw who presented the award.

Proskills Building Closer LinksProskills is looking for companies to be involved in a newinitiative to establish a twinning programme between schoolsand furniture companies.

A development of its Make IT! Furniture programme toencourage students to consider a career in the furniture industry,the new Proskills initiative aims to give students practicalexperience of the industry. To register as a twinner visitwww.theits.org.uk or contact the MakeIT! Furniture team on01235 432018.

DecorexAmong those showcasingnew Autumn fabriccollections at the everpopular SeptemberDecorex exhibition (RoyalHospital, Chelsea) was JimDickens with new launchesIstanbul, Topkapi andMurillo. Shown is fabricfrom the Istanbulcollection.

08_USF_12_01_0212_08 24/11/2011 10:37 Page 8

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09_USF_12_01_02_2012_09 01/12/2011 14:16 Page 1

Faced with the prospect of no longerbeing able to use cotton felt, thefilling much favoured by

upholsterers, and frustrated with the lackof authoritative information about itsfuture, Peter Finch and Alex Law set aboutlooking at available alternatives.They were tasked to do so by the

AMUSF board which asked them to clarifythe uncertainty over the future of feltproducts which has arisen since decaBDE(more commonly referred to as boraxpowder by upholsterers) is no longerpermissible in the quantities required towork as a suitable fire retarding treatmentfor cotton felted products.Out of the many materials tested, Alex

and Peter identified two flame retardant(FR) compliant replacements: poly cotton,where 10% polyester is added to thecotton, and wool cotton, where 10% woolis added. Said Alex: “Poly cotton is probably the

closest match we’ve found, however it is alittle looser than other types of cottonfelt, and so may require additional layers

to prevent tearing. We need to furtherdevelop our understanding of poly cottonas a possible replacement to cotton felt,and urge other upholsterers to try it out,particularly those who are volumeupholstering, so we can gather anecdotalfeedback and see what the potential costimplications of switching to it might be.” Peter Finch of Bearstead Upholstery said

that wool cotton was another equallycompliant alternative but perhaps not aslike-for-like as poly cotton. “The feel andmake up of wool cotton is very similar toestablished cotton felt, but it’s derived from

natural fibres and has more of a layeredconsistency. It can be quite fibrous and shedparticles into the air when torn apart.” Both fillings are possible direct

replacements to the original FR cotton feltbut as they’re both relatively new,sourcing them could prove problematic.Alex urges members to request samples.He said: “Although these materials aren’tyet widely available, most upholsterysundry suppliers will post out smallsamples, or delivery drivers can showthem to customers. Hopefully, as moremembers request samples demand willgrow and that will warrant supply.”Meanwhile, the two manufacturers of

fillings have confirmed that production ofcotton felt containing brominates hasnow ceased. One manufacturer iscontinuing to produce a non-FR cottonfelt but it is only suitable for use onupholstery produced pre-1950 and inaccordance with the FIRA regulations. SaidAlex: “We all need to be quite careful inour use of this or we may find ourselves inbreach of fire regulations.” Alex and Peter wish to thank JA Milton

Upholstery Supplies, Brown & Cook andMartins Upholstery Supplies for their helpin sourcing alternative samples. Tocontact them call Alex on 07791 527 158or Peter on 01622 863 069.

HEARTFELTPLEA In previous issues of U&SF, we’ve reported on the uncertainty of cotton felt’s future. Inreadiness for its possible demise, two AMUSF board members - Alex Law and Peter Finch –have been testing out a variety of potential replacements. Here’s what they found out andwhy they now need YOU!

Taking issue


Alex Law

Cotton polyester (poly cotton) Wool cotton

Peter Finch

Among those asked by the UK REACH CompetentAuthority for feedback regarding the use of DecaBDE was FRETWORK - The Flame RetardantTextile Network.Says Alan Eyers of Euroflam, a founder member of the group: “Currently availablealternatives to DecaBDE are not as versatile and will present us with a problem ofmeeting easily the BS 5852 Cigarette & Match Test without the addition of extracompound. These alternatives are also more expensive to produce.

“We have pointed out to the Competent Authority that BS 5852 is a legalrequirement and that an estimated 3,000 lives have been ‘saved’ since 1988 as adirect result of these standards being in place.”Further information can be obtained at www.fretwork.org.uk or emailing

[email protected] or contact Alan at Euroflam, [email protected] , tel: 02392 594 313

10_USF_12_01_0212_10 24/11/2011 10:37 Page 10

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Get your products in front of this targeted audienceBook your space now for the March, April, May edition by calling Joanne on 01732 783561 or email [email protected]

September/October/November 2011


Welcome AboardMeet new AMUSF manager Sheila Draper

A Yearning for LearningStudent special

Enterprising IdeaA new way of working

Giuletta tasselled tieback with crystalKashmir/ Oceanride silk mix fabric with quilting & embroideryHHeennrryy NNeewwbbeerryy && CCoo LLttdd

June/July/August 2011


ON THE MOVEAMUSF’s new home in HighWycombe

GOODBYE SUE!Why we’ll miss you

FULL STEAMAHEADBluebell Railway: inside story

Murillo, the newfabric collectionfrom Jim Dickens.

March/April/May 2011


March/April/May 2011

��

Winners All...We name the names!

Cutting CornersThe internet ‘threat’: we don’t name names!

What’s in a name?A new idea for upholsterers comes to life

11_USF_12_01_02_2012_11 05/12/2011 12:07 Page 1

Although not visible to the end user,the type of filling used inupholstery can have a significant

effect on the finished product, in terms ofhow it performs and how it feels. Yet, despite being ‘invisible’, the world

of foams and fillings has seen its fair shareof innovations over the years –particularly in the field of foam.There are cooler foams that draw heat

away from the body and overcome thecommon perception that foam is hot;foams that contain natural oils in a bid tobe regarded as environmentallyacceptable; and some that even preventdust mites and bed bugs. Says Ian Owen of Carpenter, one of the

world’s largest producers of foam and thefirst UK company to gain CertiPURrecognition for all four types of foammanufactured at its UK sites: “In the UKthere is a widely accepted but underlyingsensitivity to price, which means thatproducts used here aren’t necessarily asadvanced as those available on thecontinent.” Phase changing foams (or ‘cooling

foams’), which contain small capsules thatabsorb warmth away from the body andprevent users from becoming too hotwhile they sleep and then release storedheat when they get out of bed, arebeginning to appear on the market. And ‘green’ foams, where natural oil

polyols are added (predominantly soy orcastor oil) are also available but come witha higher price tag. Said Ian Owen: “Theconsumer wants what is best for theenvironment but only at the right price.”Ian Leicester, chairman of the British

Plastics Flexible Foam Group said: “It’s aquestion of finding the balance betweenthe environment, industry protocols andmarket requirements. “Fire retardancy is also a significant

issue for the industry. CombustionModified High Resilient (CMHR) and CMECombustion Modified Polyethers containa blend of melamine powder and liquidflame retardants. While necessary to meetUK flam regs, if too high a level of solidparticles is used, it could have an adverseeffect on the foam’s physical propertiesand ultimately its performance, sochoosing the right densities for givenapplications is very important.”Reflex, a type of foam produced by

Vitafoam, uses a liquid flame retardant andis based on purer foam that is not bulkedout with fillers. It is proven to give increaseddurability, elongation and comfort whencompared with standard foam.Andy Corbett, commercial director at

Vitafoam (Conversion) said: “Aninnovative team of technicians based inour block plant laboratory has enabledVitafoam to develop and manufacture adiverse range of foams for a variety ofindustries including a Talalay multi-layered latex for the bedding andupholstery industry.“After more than a year of laboratory

trials Vitafoam is nearing the final stage oflaunching a revolutionary foam destinedto reach consumers in 2012. The foamhas been co-developed with a multi-national company and should find its wayin to many households across the globe.Further details regarding the new productwill be released in January 2012.”While foam remains king in the

commercial sector, a lot of bespokeupholstery work relies on good qualityfeather combinations –the aim being toproduce the right combination that willmaximise longevity, durability and quality.David Abernethy from Feather & Fibre

UK said that while there are perhaps lessinnovations in the feather and fibre sector,it remains a popular choice withupholsterers. He said: “Over time, whathas evolved with feather fillings is a widerange of combinations that can betailored to suit very different and specificuses. Over the last 10 to 15 years,upholsterers have become adept at usingdifferent feather and fibre combinationsfor different purposes, particularly forbespoke work.” Said Ian Owen: “Although ‘invisible’ to

the end user, foams and fillings are ahugely significant part of the bed andupholstery sectors so major players willalways be investing in research anddevelopment to further refine andimprove new product development,respond to legislative requirements andalso market demand.”


Feature

FOAMING WITH NEW IDEASManufacturers have been coming up with new and innovative foams and fillings for years,particularly on the foam front. U&SF takes a look at some of the key advances...

Carpenter - innovations in foam

Reflex foam from Vitafoam

12_USF_12_01_0212_12 24/11/2011 10:38 Page 12

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Case studies

CREATION OF SUSTAINABLE SOFALEAVES COMPANY SITTING ON SUCCESSThe creation of a new sustainable sofa by Trent Upholsteries and Nottingham TrentUniversity could make the company greener, more time and cost effective and create jobsin the local area.

With help from the university’sSchool of Architecture, Designand the Built Environment,Trent Upholsteries md RogerPaulson set out to design a sofathat would allow the companyto keep pace with thesustainability agenda, while alsogiving them a competitive edge.

He was able to access thisexpertise through theuniversity’s sustainable designproject, Future Factory, which ispart-funded by the EuropeanRegional Development Fund.

After researching a range ofeco-design strategies andundertaking a competitoranalysis, the company decided to develop its ownfurniture frames – previouslybought in – sourced from asustainable wood.

The final specifications nowenable Trent Upholsteries tomake the frame in-house andcontrol the whole process, givingthem the opportunity to employ newworkers to construct the frames. Specially-skilled workers will thencomplete the upholstery.

Packaging, transportation andinstallation will also be faster, easier andlighter with the new design, as the sofacan be folded into a box and delivered inan estate car, cutting down on the needfor larger delivery vans and saving fuel.

Removable arms also mean that ratherthan mending the whole sofa when armrestsshow signs of wear and tear, they can berecovered separately, saving customers’money and reducing unnecessary materialcosts and consumption.

The sofa will be made entirely fromnatural, sustainable and waste products,

from the horse-hair, wool flock andcoconut fibre (coir) to be used for cushionpadding, to the latex rubber to bond thefurniture together. All the screws andsprings contained in the sofa will also becompletely recyclable and the company iscurrently sourcing paper piping cord toedge the sofa, instead of the industrystandard, non-biodegradable plastic.

Roger Paulson said: “The quality of thefinished product is vital to its success sothere is no compromise on the requiredcharacteristics of each sustainably sourcedmaterial. If the sofa is not strong or doesnot stand up to daily use then it is notsustainable either. Not only are we usingsustainable products, we’re building it tolast a long time and then it can be

upholstered again.“I was extremely impressed with the

access we had to the technology anduniversity resources, which were crucial indeveloping the project. The start-up costsof finding similar technology and expertiseelsewhere would have been prohibitiveconsidering the number of hours spent onthe project. Knowing that these costs werecovered by Future Factory allowed me tospend time investigating and purchasingthe filling materials.”

Future Factory supports small andmedium sized businesses (SMEs) in theEast Midlands to become moresustainable in a variety of ways. For furtherinformation visitwww.ntu.ac.uk/FutureFactory.

Roger Paulson, Trent Uphols, and Carl Smith, NTU

14-15_USF_12_01_0212_14-15 24/11/2011 10:38 Page 14


IF YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN AN INTERESTING PROJECT RECENTLY AND HAVE PICTURES TO ILLUSTRATE IT, PLEASE CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER ON [email protected]

Yohei Sakurai, 34, from Shizuoka, Japan, graduated with a first-class honours degree in Furniture: Conservation, Restoration & DecorativeArts in September.

Previous upholsterers and restorers hadused solely British upholstery techniquesbut Yohei applied authentic Frenchupholstery techniques to the classicFrench fauteuil. He also used his skills incarving, gilding and reupholstery torestore and conserve a chair flame.

Now Yohei is intending to join aworkshop to build on his upholstery skillsand eventually plans to start his ownbusiness on the Isle of Wight.

Said Yohei, who previously studiedModern Furniture at Osaka: “At BucksNew University I have increased mypractical skills in upholstery, marquetryand gilding techniques. I would like tocombine my experience of modern arts inJapan and Italy with the techniques ofantique restoration I've learnt here

and create something new - an artistic combination of modern andtraditional techniques.”

Yohei won The National Association ofDecorative & Fine Arts Societies(NADFAS) Award for 2011, and wasamong ten winners of the MostDistinguished Performance in aDissertation. He was also among winnersof the award for Most DistinguishedPerformance on an UndergraduateProgramme.

EMPEROR’S NEW BEDKeeping up the standards of a former Prime Minister’s home proved a king-sized challengefor Scottish-based Strathvale Furnishings. U&SF explains…

Fasque House, a stately home in the quaintScottish village of Fettercaim, once ownedby former Prime Minister Sir WilliamGladstone, is now a popular wedding venuethanks to its grandeur and stunningsurroundings.

With over 20 years in the industrybetween them, Susan and John Oliphant,owners of Angus-based StrathvaleFurnishings, were approached by FasqueHouse to quote for the re-covering of its

dining room chairs. Since then, Susan andJohn have re-covered a large part of the barseating area, dining chairs, four headboards,five bed frames and, their most unusual jobto date, an Emperor bed headboard for thehoneymoon suite.

Said John: “Recovering the Emperor bedheadboard was unlike anything we’d beenasked to complete before. It was 7ft high by7ft 6ins wide with wings!”

Fasque House’s joiner made theheadboards and frames to StrathvaleFurnishing’s design – based on thecustomer’s specifications. Templates weremade for the headboard to mark positions

to drill holes for the buttoning twine andanother for the fabric, as these holes neededto be wider and deeper to allow for thepleating around each button. Due to thewidth of the headboard the fabric wasVandyked on each side.

Said John: “As it was free-standing, theback of the headboard had to be covered.We covered two panels of mdf with pipingaround and down the join attached withone way fixings. The foam used on theheadboard was 1inch chip foam with2inches 39/120 which gave a soft but firmfeel - ideal for deep buttoning.

“We then covered it with fabric chosenfrom Kirby House. The real challenge wasthe buttoning and pleating - one of us wasat the back holding the button in tensionwhile the other was at the front pleating!After many hours of buttoning, standingback from the finished product was a greatfeeling – it really was an Emperor’s bed!”

Fasque House

Yohei Sakurai with upholstered chair

SEAT OF LEARNING A Japanese university graduate, who picked up a trio of awards for thequality of his work, chose to restore a Louis XIV style fauteuil for themajor project on his degree course at Buckinghamshire New University.

Strathvale Furnishings Fasque House Emperor bedheadboard

14-15_USF_12_01_0212_14-15 24/11/2011 10:39 Page 15

‘Westward Ho!’ cotton panama printsreflect the enduring enthusiasm forseaside themes by depicting harbourscenes, a marine collage, seabirds andshoreline treasures, all complemented bynautical stripes. The four pictorial designsare in an evocative and faintly nostalgicwatercolour style, with the collectionoffered across colourways of cobalt,denim, duck egg, azure, seaspray, linen and driftwood, together with avintage medley.The stripes continue into the

company’s new Maritime series of wovencottons. Ideal for curtains or blinds, this

jaunty combination of classic ticking,deckchair stripes, ginghams and plainslooks as good in the garden room orconservatory as it does in the kitchenand family area. Prestigious has createda range of cheery shades for Maritime:denim, red, aqua, azure and lilaccontrast with the more subtle olive,linen, charcoal and limestone. For details on these and all

Prestigious Textiles collections offabrics, wall coverings and curtainpoles, call 01274 688448, [email protected] or visitwww.prestigious.co.uk.

New products


WESTWARD HO! Timed perfectly to catch the current craze for all things nautical, Prestigious Textiles haslaunched its new Westward Ho! and Maritime fabric collections.

The Maritime collection of fabrics by Prestigious Textiles

According to Gill Finch of StroolmountUK, cash-strapped consumers are fastcatching on to the benefits of protectiveproducts that help furniture andfloorcoverings last longer.Since launching her niche business in

2007 – Stroolmount is the only UKdistributor of the award winningQuickClick protectors – Gill has seenturnover more than triple.She said: “Using floor protectors on

chairs, sofas, tables, beds and evenwardrobes not only protects floorcoveringsbut massively reduces the stress onfurniture itself when it is being moved.Instead of being dragged along the floor itslides along, reducing the risk of damageto the furniture and floor, and making it alot easier for the person doing the moving.

“People who send customers down tothe nearest DIY store to buy this type ofproduct are not only missing a sales trickbut a vital element of customer service.An upholsterer, for example, who has justrestored or recovered a decent chair couldoffer a set of protectors at the point ofsale as a way of helping their customer toprotect both their investment and theirfloor. The customer feels they’ve hadgood service and the upholsterer gets anextra sale.”Stroolmount offers a range of protectors

– from those which make moving furnituremuch easier to self-adhesive felt protectorsand four different QuickClick products – foruse with wood and laminates, carpets, tilesor anti-slip. Visit www.stroolmount.co.uk for more information.

SLIDING SALES A boom in the popularity of furniture and floor protection products couldprovide upholsterers and soft furnishers with some welcome add on sales.

Gill Finch ofStroolmount

16_USF_09-11_2011_16 01/12/2011 14:19 Page 16

Wendy, who runs the WendyShorter Interiors trainingschool, was named

Outstanding Training Provider of TheYear at the 2011 Proskills Awards held atAlton Towers in November. And anemployee of hers, Louise Boyland, took ahighly commended prize in the Learnerof The Year category.

Wendy, who won the FurnishingIndustry Trust’s 2010 InspirationalBusinesswoman of The Year Award,provides training in upholstery and softfurnishings to those without access tonormal avenues of funding.

Held to highlight the importance ofvocational learning programmes, theProskills Awards celebrated theachievements of people working in theprocess and manufacturing sector. Theawards attracted hundreds of entriesfrom a wide range of employers, learners,apprentices and training providers,demonstrating how vocational learningprogrammes can help companies preparefor the future.

Said Wendy: “I’m thrilled, delightedand very surprised to have won theaward.”

As a result of her work with the charityFine Cell Works at Wandsworth prisonLouise Boyland won a prize cheque forbeing highly commended in the Learner of

The Year category. Wendy was presentedwith a certificate and hand-carved woodentrophy for winning her category,sponsored by the Scottish Government.


Awards

ANOTHER WIN FOR WENDYAMUSF president Wendy Shorter has scooped another award!

Seen, from left to right is: Terry Watts, Proskills CEO; Linda McCourt, Proskills Director for Scotland,representing the Scottish Government who sponsored the award; Wendy Shorter of Wendy Shorter Interiors;

Comedian Seann Walsh who presented the award.

17_USF_09-11_2011_17 01/12/2011 15:52 Page 17

Member Profile


How long have you been in business? We bought the business from Des and ValFanning in June 2010. Charles waspreviously associated with the furnituretrade and Helen enjoys upholstery in herspare time – Charles was chief transporterof furniture to her evening class in theircourting days!

What made you go in to it? It became available at the right time and itwas in the right place.

What do you supply and to who? Over 3,000 items to the upholstery andsoft furnishing trades, from antimacassarpins to zips.

What is the greatest challenge currentlyfacing your business? Without doubt, the rising price of rawmaterials, caused by influences beyondour control.

What makes up the bulk of yourbusiness? Cloth, foam and fillings: and they arebulky by nature too!

What changes do you detect in theindustry? We definitely feel that fewer young peopleare entering the upholstery trade – andclasses everywhere are sadly dwindling.We hope it will reverse.

What keeps you motivated? The thought of retaining happy satisfiedcustomers.

What aspect ofyour work doyou most enjoy?Researching newproducts for ourcustomers.

Professionally,what is yourgreatest frustration? The time involved in complying with rulesand regulations.

How do you see the future of yourbusiness? The next few years are going to bedifficult for everyone. The future must befocussed on solid and steady expansion.

As a supplier, how do you see the futureof the upholstery and soft furnishingssector? The immediate future is uncertain foreveryone, but in the long run we believethat it will remain strong.

What are its greatest strengths andweaknesses? Its strength is that the sector is anessential part of life and will always bethere. The weakness is finding newcustomers – luckily they tend to find us!

Tell us about the mostunusual/bizarre/funny request you haveever dealt with? Just last week we supplied sheets of foamto a local farmer for his cows to have amore comfortable night’s sleep!

How long have you been amember of the AMUSF andhow important has thisbeen to your business? The company has been amember for many years andits association with theAMUSF is greatly valued. DesFanning, the previous owner

is, of course, still very involved with it.

Professionally, who or where do youturn to for advice/ a second opinion? We still turn to Des and Val who have afount of knowledge about the world ofupholstery and soft furnishing, and whoare still very supportive.

When you talk to a customer(upholsterers/soft furnishers), theconversation always turns to....? How much they like the service weprovide, and the helpfulness of our staff.

What is the single most important pieceof advice you would give to someonestarting out in your business? Two pieces actually, 1) know your tradeand 2) value your customers.

What has been your proudestprofessional moment? Being able to say, a year on, that GloverBros is going strong.

Contact details: [email protected]: 01823 431910

WORKING HAND IN GLOVE WITH MEMBERS

Glovers distribution - with van driver Bill Cook

Charles and Helen Petri

Name of business Glover Bros LtdWhen established 1899Owned by Charles and Helen PetriLocation Bishops Lydeard, SomersetSpeciality Upholstery and soft furnishing suppliersNumber employed 16

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED ON THE MEMBER PROFILE PAGE, CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT [email protected]

18_USF_12_01_0212_18 24/11/2011 10:39 Page 18

��

ESTABLISHED 1899

NEXT DAY DELIVERY NATIONWIDE

Hundreds of upholstery and soft furnishing lines including foam, leather, trimmings and vinyl

Fabrics supplied include Robert Allen, Ross, Wemyss, Jim Dickens & Rioma.

Tracks & Poles by Blacksmith, Decotec, Integra, Riel Chyc, Silent Gliss & Speedy.

Own van delivery throughout the South West, and beyond by carrier.

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Tel: 01823 431910 Fax: 01823 431920 Email: [email protected]

� � � �� 19_USF_12_01_02_2012_19 01/12/2011 14:20 Page 1

Special Report


Anenjoyable evening was had by all115 partygoers, comprisingmembers of the Kent Branch of

the AMUSF and their guests, held at theBrands Hatch Thistle Hotel.As is always the case, the Dinner Dance

Committee kept the event’s theme topsecret until the night. Unwitting guestswere given a red carpet reception andthe dining hall was beautifully decoratedin line with the glittering theme of‘Hollywood greats’.After the three-course meal, speeches

were given by Wendy Shorter (AMUSFPresident), Dr James Kelly (Master of theWorshipful Company of Upholders) and atouching speech by Franco Marinelli (Chairof the Kent branch), who was joined byhis wife Carol whose swift action andattentive nursing ensured he was able toattend this year.To complement the star studded

theme, this year’s musical entertainmentwas provided by The Mike Richards Band –its combination of big band swing beatsand soulful modern movie classics weredelivered impeccably and included hitssuch as ‘In The Mood’ by the Glenn MillerBand and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’.The evening was helped along with the

professional touch of Toastmaster RoyTheobald and midway through the

evening, the raffle was drawn by WendyShorter. Prizes this year included acamcorder, a Kindle and a digital photoframe. Sales of raffle tickets raised £702for the Salvation Army. The fun continuedlong into the night with a disco anddancing.The Dinner Dance Committee would

like to thank the sponsors of the raffleprizes which were: Brands Hatch ThistleHotel, Martins Upholstery Supplies,JA Milton Supplies, Brown and Cook Ltd,BTS (Barry Townsend Systems),H Vaughan Ltd, H Webber and sons,Louis Moreau, Ross Fabrics, Kobe,The Worshipful Company of Upholders,The Worshipful Company of Brewers andLondon Metropolitan University.The Committee would also like to send

out a heart-felt thanks to the manyindividuals and Kent Branch memberswho also donated items to the vast haulof prizes. It also wishes to thank the kindpeople that helped take the staging downat the end of the night – thanks to Keith,Joan, David and James.Alex said: “It was great to see that even

during these difficult economic times,from far and wide, members, their familiesand friends can still all come together andsupport the branch and wider association.“On behalf of the guests who attended,

and those members who were unable tomake it this year, we would like to extendour gratitude to the two Brendas, Jan,Peter, Derek and Roy who once againmade this a most enjoyable and specialevening. Roll on 2012’s event!”

KENT BRANCHCHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE 2011The annual Kent Branch Christmas Dinner Dance took place on Saturday 26 November. AlexLaw reports on the glitz and glamour…

The Mike Richards Band

Festive table setting Brenda Finch and the table decorations

20_USF_12_01_0212.qxp:20 5/12/11 11:36 Page 20

21_USF_12_01_02_2012_21 01/12/2011 14:22 Page 1

The service works with over 50 leadingfurniture retailers, manufacturers andsuppliers within the UK, impartially

inspecting all types of domestic furniture.Roughly 53% of the furniture complaintsreceived each year are upholstery related butthe service also looks after cabinets, bedsand even garden furniture.Following a visit from a FIRA service

technician, between 80-90 per cent offurniture is kept in the home and, thanks toits inherent repair-ability, upholstery tendsto be at the top end of this band. FIRAService Technicians manager John Oliversaid: “Most upholstered products can berepaired ‘on the spot’ with the best resultsproduced where the manufacturer providesthe fabrics, parts and panels required.“The AMUSF has long had an association

with FIRA and association manager SheilaDraper has taken over from president WendyShorter as a FIRA council member. According to Wendy, where a complaint

involves traditional upholstery or softfurnishing work, the AMUSF is sometimesasked to have an input on thecraftsmanship involved.

Indeed, the very specialist skills of thetraditional upholsterer is one which FIRAService Technicians is keen to harness. Theservice currently employs 80 technicians, thevast majority of whom are upholsterers bytrade and John Oliver believes their skills areinvaluable in any complaints procedure. “It’smuch easier to have technicians who knowabout upholstery and top up their cabinetryskills than the other way round,” he said. Complaints about AMUSF members are

dealt with in-house by the association’sown dispute resolution service, headed upby Bert Chapman.For more information on FIRA

Service Technicians visitwww.servicetechnicians.co.uk. Alternatively,email [email protected] or call01438 777 700.

FORWARD WITH FIRAFIRA Service Technicians, the UK’s leading furniture complaints resolution service, hasbeen given a whole new look with a fresh logo, updated website and a suite ofmarketing literature.

Updates


FIRA Service Technician at work

One of the features of my new role atWandsworth prison is theunfathomable number of keys I

must manage. And, along with every key,every tool in prison is checked in and outand rechecked by a prison officer. Not unlikethe prisoners themselves, in many ways.I teach a small group of up to four guys,

depending on their own schedules inprison – visits, parole or sentencingmeetings, medical appointments, etc. I have to show and teach the prisonerspractical upholstering techniques, andguide them through the course to

complete three pieces of furniture. Theymust create a portfolio of the work they aredoing and the information they haveabsorbed and must work towards a finalproject about fabrics. Fine Cell Workprovides funding for all the tools, materialsand furniture needed. We also have someexcellent books which prisoners use withworksheets I have produced to supporttheir “homework”.Prisoners are demonstrating a genuine

dedication to the course we are running,which has been quite illuminating. Thesepractical skills are serious contributors to

the goals education has in prison, to fosterhope, discipline and self esteem. Barneby Gates has kindly donated some

of its wonderful “chairs” wallpaper for ourworkshop, and we have shown our firstpiece at the Fine Cell Work event at KneppCastle. With so many people interested inthis programme and how they can help, wehope that the course will go on to establishitself and deliver the potential we haveenvisaged. For more information visit:www.finecellwork.co.uk;www.boylandshoreditch.com;www.barnebygates.com.

Project One – a drop in seat.Photographed at Knepp Castle

Fine Cell Work event

KEY TO SUCCESSFollowing a personal account of preparing for her first upholstery course atWandsworth prison in our last issue, Louise Boyland provides an update.

22_USF_12_01_0212_22 24/11/2011 10:40 Page 22

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23_USF_12_01_02_2012_23 01/12/2011 14:25 Page 1

When AMUSF board members began the ‘Cardiff clearout’ for the move to High Wycombe, all sorts of lost andforgotten ‘treasures’ came to light.

Among the many items boxed up and sent on were hundredsand hundreds of photographs taken over many years at associationevents or of association people.“Unfortunately most of the pictures came without any

information,” says Bert Chapman who has been tasked withtrawling through the hoard of old photographs and trying toidentify as many as possible.More from the archives in our next issue – but don’t forget,

we’re always on the lookout for images of long ago from members. Contact Jan Turner at [email protected] if you have something! Among the pictures found were these gems:

A TREASURE TROVE OF MEMORIESThe AMUSF office move from Cardiff to High Wycombe this summer unearthed averitable treasure trove of memories in the shape of boxes and boxes of photographs.Do these pictures ring any bells with you?

Memory Lane


IF YOU HAVE SOME INTERESTING ARCHIVE PICTURES OF YOUR BUSINESS, A PROJECT OR PERHAPS OLDMACHINERY OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS, PLEASE CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT [email protected]

This black and white image is of particular interest. It features Francis Vaughan, founder of the AMUSF and DorisFisher, long time and legendary manager of the association. Clearly taken at an official function, Bert believes the

photograph could date back to the 1950s – unless, of course, you know any better!

The three ladies taking tea is another difficult one to date butseen, from left to right, are former president Dorothy Gates, JeanHenderson and Barbara Taberner. The split-wall decor in thebackground suggests this picture may have been taken in the1980s or possibly 1990s. Does anyone know?

Seen smiling on what is clearly an AMUSF exhibitionstand is the unmistakeable face of Peter Oldfield-Murray,formerly of the British Contract Furnishing Association.

But can anyone tell us when or where?If you can, contact Bert Chapman by email on

[email protected] or by telephone on 01707 652932.He’d be delighted to hear from you!

Finally, the two slightlyout-of-focus colour

shots (right) were takenat the Lord Mayor’s

Show in London in, Bertbelieves, 1999. It was in

the days when theAMUSF took part in the

show with a float –hence the (unknown)

lady dressed as a cottonreel while Roy Theobaldand another unknownlady can be seen on anupholstered chair and

entwined in a coil springrespectively!

24_USF_09-11_2011_24 24/11/2011 10:40 Page 24

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Q & A


How would you most like to beremembered?With a smile.

How would your classmates at schoolhave described you?Believe it or not, shy and vulnerable.

And the teachers?The quiet girl who sat at the back and“could have done better”.

How did you get into this business?When Kevin's bookkeeper/secretary died,Multibends' books weren't kept up-to-date for several months, so Kevin askedme to sort them out, which I did.However I was so interested in thepractical side that I learnt every aspect ofhis trade. Kevin then made me companysecretary and a director.

What would you class as your greatestachievement?Successfully bringing up my fivedaughters almost single handedly.

Your greatest regret?Not appreciating the sacrifices my parentsmade for me. They died quite young.

Is your glass half empty or half full?Half full, I'm the biggest optimist in theworld.

Who has been your greatest inspirationand why?My mother. In spite of nursing my fatherfor over 20 years she still found time forher four children and nothing was evertoo much trouble for her.

Your perfect day?A BBQ in the garden with Kevin, all mydaughters and grandchildren, plus the dogand tortoise. It's got to be sunny though.

Your desert island disc?Second movement of Mozart's clarinetconcerto.

What's the best thing about our industry?It's timeless and we can use our owncreativity.

And the worst?Government and bureaucratic interferenceand unnecessary red tape.

What would you change?Get rid of the above.

What winds you up?Incompetence.

Doer or talker?Both.

If you could do it all over again whatwould you do differently?I wouldn't change a thing.

Best piece of advice to someonestarting out?Have confidence in yourself, no one is

better than you. If they can do it so canyou.

When it comes to sport do you fall intothe active or armchair camp? Footballor rugby?Active camp. I played hockey for myschool and also for Fareham Ladies. I stillgo to the gym, swim and walk.

If you weren't doing what you do now,what would you be doing?Travelling.

Tell me a secret?I don't have any secrets. I'm such achatterbox I would let them out.

What's in your living room?Furniture by Kevin, soft furnishings by me.

What gives you the greatestsatisfaction?A job well done.

IN THE HOTSEAT....WITH MARY CRACK, CLERK TO THE FAMU

26_USF_09-11_2011_26 24/11/2011 10:41 Page 26

You’ll fi

IBC_USF_12_01_02_2012_ibc 01/12/2011 14:04 Page 1

Byron & Byron, Shaftesbury House, 3 Shaftsbury Road, London, N18 1SWTel: +44 (0)20 8344 7979 Fax: +44 (0)20 8344 7980

[email protected] www.byronandbyron.com

Byron_Byron_USF_Layout 1 01/12/2011 12:45 Page 1

Documents

Upholsterer · the-telly upholsterers are too picky. They’re more into Six Hundred Quid Suites than being sacrosanct about a heavyweight hessian or wondrous new webbing. It’s