Welland Timber Products Ltd Win Inaugural John Hedgecock Memorial Award

The judging panel is delighted to announce that the winner of the inaugural John Hedgecock Memorial Award is Welland Timber Products Limited, for their conservation of Walpole’s Strawberry Hill Villa. The winning entry demonstrated how modern manufacturing technology can be utilised to reproduce the detailed work of 18th century craftsmen. The Strawberry Hill Villa, situated on the banks of the Thames in Twickenham, was designed and built by Horace Walpole and was inspired by the architecture of gothic cathedrals. As there were no working drawings for the features, Welland Timber Products worked from contemporary paintings and sketches to prepare AutoCAD drawings. These were transferred to CNC machinery using Masterwork software to reproduce the arches, crests and pinnacles. Pinnacles
Eight pinnacles all standing at three metres tall adorn the top of the building. Hewn out of oak by advanced joinery technology, they were then hand finished by time-served craftsman.

Crests
Every bay window is adorned with the most delicate cresting. Originally individually hand carved, but today, Welland’s experienced programmer set his machine just once, and allowed the machine to work throughout the night.

Prior’s Garden Screen
One of the project’s centerpieces, and popular feature since the public opening, this wonderful gothic screen had once been copied in concrete. Now a new oak screen sits in its place, just as Walpole has intended. Working directly from AutoCAD drawings, the screen was machined by CNC with intricate detail. 

Working over a two year period, various drawings and test pieces were presented to the architects for approval. The final work was manufactured in European oak with a paint finish, which was in keeping with the original features. This project showed how the use of modern manufacturing equipment can be combined with design flair, technical know-how, and the beauty and natural durability of timber to produce fine joinery.
 
John Hedgecock was recognised as one of the leading authorities on woodworking and joinery manufacturing. He worked in the industry for many years before serving as BWF Technical Director, until he sadly passed away after a prolonged illness. His breadth of knowledge, his depth of understanding, and above all his ability to explain is missed almost as much as his personal warmth and humour.  The John Hedgecock Memorial Award is sponsored by Timbmet, and recognises technical excellence, achievement or innovation in joinery manufacture. The award was presented to the winners at last Friday’s BWF Annual Dinner 2010, by John’s family.