The Chair Maker: Lawrence Neal (Film Short)

[John Morris]

I was perusing websites for Green Woodworking tonight, and through links and resources I came across this wonderful short film about chair-maker Lawrence Neal. I have been becoming familiar with the woodworker's of the U.K and Europe over the last year or so, through research and contacts and a couple hand tool purchases shipped to me from "over there".

 

The woodworking skill and art in that part of the world is wonderful, the Green Woodworking culture has taken off like a firestorm over there in the last decade among the youth and middle aged, and of course bodgering in the U.K is where it all started. The craft has come back in a big way, and it's really nice to see folks just working the wood, simply, and with just a few tools.

 

Although chair-maker Lawrence Neal has more than just a "few tools, he does have quite the simple shop. So, hope you like this lil film, it's relaxing, and interesting I feel.

 

Quote

From the ash woodlands and rush-filled rivers of rural Warwickshire to the Art Workers’ Guild meeting hall in the heart of bustling Camden, The Chair Maker tells the story of Lawrence Neal and the ladderback, rush-seated chair tradition. Chair making is part of our ‘intangible cultural heritage’, a highly skilled process for which comprehensive instructions have never been recorded, instead passed on between generations of masters and apprentices. Today the accumulated knowledge of over a hundred years of chair making resides with one man: Lawrence Neal. Lawrence left school at 15 to be apprenticed to his father, the beginning of 50 years of chair making.

The Chair Maker also explores Lawrence’s desire to continue the tradition. In 2017 he received funding to take on two apprentices. But in order for the sixth generation in this long line of makers not to be the last, there must be conscious decisions to recognize the value and heritage of traditional crafts, and to support makers as they continue to produce these beautiful and historically-resonant objects.

Source: Chair Maker Lawrence Neal (Vimeo)

 

 

[Charles Nicholls]

Very cool video John, What I wouldn’t give to be able to make chairs like that or even similar!

[John Morris]

Just now, Charles Nicholls said:

Very cool video John, What I wouldn’t give to be able to make chairs like that or even similar!

Thanks Charles, it is a great film. Well done too, the production and shooting is very pleasant and appealing.

Hey Charles, it's never too late to learn something new.

[Charles Nicholls]

17 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Thanks Charles, it is a great film. Well done too, the production and shooting is very pleasant and appealing.

Hey Charles, it's never too late to learn something new.

No it’s not John. The only problem is I don’t have the money for the shop that it would require and I don’t have a shop currently. All I have is my postage stamp size apartment.

[John Morris]

9 hours ago, Charles Nicholls said:

No it’s not John. The only problem is I don’t have the money for the shop that it would require and I don’t have a shop currently. All I have is my postage stamp size apartment.

Forever the optimist I am Charles, if you really wanted to do something related to chair making, you could turn stools on your lathe from 2x2 stock purchased at any home center, and mail order weaving supplies to create a stool like the ones I make for my shaker chairs.

 

And, there are plenty of crafts people out there using hand tools in their apartments to make beautiful things. A small stout workbench, and a couple hand saws, some planes, and chisels is about all you need to work without bothering the neighbors.

Not trying to change your habits Charles, just throwing things out there to see if anything sticks with ya.

 

What you already do and create in your space, has always amazed me, you have the spirit of a soldier, adapt, improvise, overcome!

[Gunny]

Interesting video. Enjoyed alot. Big difference in cultures across the sea.  

[Charles Nicholls]

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

Forever the optimist I am Charles, if you really wanted to do something related to chair making, you could turn stools on your lathe from 2x2 stock purchased at any home center, and mail order weaving supplies to create a stool like the ones I make for my shaker chairs.

 

And, there are plenty of crafts people out there using hand tools in their apartments to make beautiful things. A small stout workbench, and a couple hand saws, some planes, and chisels is about all you need to work without bothering the neighbors.

Not trying to change your habits Charles, just throwing things out there to see if anything sticks with ya.

 

What you already do and create in your space, has always amazed me, you have the spirit of a soldier, adapt, improvise, overcome!

I will have to get proper dimensions from you John, including hole sizes and original stock sizes. I look at that wonderfully made stool, and see a finished leg diameter of probably 1.5”? Yep as long as the length isn't over 16” I’m good to go.

That really is a cool stool.

Edited January 20, 2020 by Charles Nicholls