In August, Woodland Heritage was proud once again to continue its support for Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design by sponsoring the Best Use of British Timber Award to promote the use of British wood as a renewable natural resource. As in previous years, an award was made for the winning item, with another for a Highly Commended piece:
Winner 2017 - ‘Expanding Dining Table’ in British Brown Oak with a fantastic example of Brown Oak Burr veneer by George Johnson www.johnsonfurniture.co.uk
Rotating the table top causes the six segments that make up the top to move apart causing the expansion leaves to rise up from the centre and be unfolded to increase the surface area of the table top. The surface of the table offers the perfect canvas to display the most beautiful timbers to their full potential. By counting the growth rings of the Brown Burr Oak tree when it was felled it was estimated that the tree was at least 825 years old!
Judges Comment
“One of the best pieces of furniture that both the judges felt they had ever seen and certainly the most elegant solution of the expanding circular table challenge. A triumph of design, engineering, craftsmanship and selection of materials with an excellent write up of the maker’s discovery of the all-important Brown Oak burr veneer.
The base combines both elegantly and functionally with the top solving, so well, the stability, looks and space-for-the-knees problems.”
Highly Commended - 'Velo’ Chair in British Ash by Jan Waterston www.janwaterston.co.uk
Designed in response to modern bicycle design, the Velo Chair's components seamlessly change form and encapsulate the user. The complex free form lamination creates a strong yet flexible backrest and whilst utilising CNC technology merged with hand craft it is important to note that there is still an incredible amount of hand crafted work in this piece.
Judges Comment
“A brilliant combination of a traditional slightly ‘Windsor’ base with a state of the art laminated back rail. Beautifully made partly by hand and partly by CNC machinery. A clever design which makes use of the properties of Ash. The sculptural look almost conceals its comfort and flexibility and the steam bent back rail flexes slightly to adjust to the small of your back. Very comfortable - the sitter feels as if on a bicycle”.
For more information on this years winners and for details of previous winners visit their website: