From the archive: 10 Furniture makers display their skilled techniques

1. Chairmaker Mr R Townshend was photographed in the atmospheric surroundings of his workshop in October, 1950 (Image: Archant)

1. Chairmaker R Townshend was photographed in the atmospheric surroundings of his workshop in October 1950.

2. Part-time model and actor, Richard Spendiff also made fine reproduction furniture at his workshop in Burgh Next Aylsham. He worked in solid wood and preferred the Regency style, fashioning sabre legs and working in mahogany. He also did his own French polishing, which he learnt from his father. When not in the workshop Richard could be seen modelling on Anglia TV’s Sale of the Century. Our picture dates from July, 1974 (Image: Archant)

2. Part-time model and actor Richard Spendiff also made fine reproduction furniture at his workshop in Burgh Next Aylsham. He worked in solid wood and preferred the Regency style, fashioning sabre legs and working in mahogany. He also did his own French polishing, which he learnt from his father. When not in the workshop Richard could be seen modelling on Anglia TV's Sale of the Century. Our picture dates from July 1974.

4. Chris Nunn (left) and Glynn Crostin assemble an oak reproduction drawleaf table in November, 1977. (Image: Archant)

3. Chris Nunn, left, and Glynn Crostin assemble an oak reproduction drawleaf table in November 1977. The table, made by Baldwin, Magerum and Royal Ltd of Ringland, was about to set off to its new home in Texas. It had been ordered by Colonel Charles Stimpson of the USAF at Lakenheath at a cost of £1,000. The table which was 15ft long when extended had taken over 300 hours to make and had ten matching chairs. It was made of reclaimed oak beams which came from a barn at North Tuddenham. The firm was founded in 1952 by Mr JL Royal and also repaired old furniture and did church restoration work, such as the renovation of the bishop's throne in Norwich Cathedral in 1974.

4. Terry Read of Erpingham carves the back of a Chippendale-style chair in his garden workshop in June, 1978. (Image: Archant)

4. Terry Read of Erpingham carves the back of a Chippendale-style chair in his garden workshop in June, 1978. Each chair back took a week to complete. He served an apprenticeship with Arthur Brett before launching out on his own. A woodcarver, he also carved the Antingham village sign.

5. A former chicken house on a Hoveton farm was the home of a small furniture-making company whose customers ranged from actor Stewart Granger to the passenger liner QE2. (Image: Archant)

5. A former chicken house on a Hoveton farm was the home of a small furniture-making company whose customers ranged from actor Stewart Granger to the passenger liner QE2. Malcolm Alexander's Saint Furniture company specialised in reproduction Georgian pieces but also made modern designs for the rich and famous. In our picture from 1978, woodcarver Kevin Hutchins sets up the partly-finished back of a Hepplewhite-style shield-back dining room chair.

6. 90-year-old basketmaker Oliver Meek works on a wicker chair seat in his Swaffham shop in January, 1987. (Image: Archant)

6. 90-year-old basketmaker Oliver Meek works on a wicker chair seat in his Swaffham shop in January 1987. Mr Meek learned the craft from his father, who had a basket business in Gayton. He used to grow all his own raw materials but now bought them from Somerset and was usually occupied making log baskets.

7. Nature warden turned cabinetmaker David Gregson of Gissing Road, Burston works on a dressing table and chair made of brown oak with burr acacia drawer fronts. (Image: Archant)

7. Nature warden turned cabinetmaker David Gregson of Gissing Road, Burston, works on a dressing table and chair made of brown oak with burr acacia drawer fronts. 170 hours had gone into making the intricate piece of furniture and it was to be exhibited at the Norfolk Furniture Makers Association annual show at Norwich City College in April 1988. The ticket price was more than £2,000.

8. Cabinet maker Simon Simpson (left) puts the finishing touches to his latest work, an ornate Art Nouveau desk in July, 1988 at his workshop in Panxworth near South Walsham. (Image: Archant)

8. Cabinet maker Simon Simpson, left, puts the finishing touches to his latest work, an ornate Art Nouveau desk in July 1988 at his workshop in Panxworth, near South Walsham. Destined to grace the reception area of a Norwich estate agent, it took Mr Simpson and his 11-man team eight weeks to build. The desk was crafted from Brazilian mahogany and English cherry woods.

9. Michael Lockwood (foreground) and assistant Ernie King work on various pieces in their Mellis workshop in January, 1990. (Image: Archant)

9. Michael Lockwood, foreground, and assistant Ernie King work on various pieces in their Mellis workshop in January 1990. The business which Mr Lockwood ran from home was often called upon to restore furniture for museums and National Trust properties but also made upholstered furniture.

10. Gavin Redwood works on a small settee in his North Elmham workshop in February, 1991. (Image: Archant)

10. Gavin Redwood works on a small settee in his North Elmham workshop in February 1991. With his father John he ran Castles of Norwich furniture makers, producing period furniture and using only traditional tools and materials. After starting work in a coal shed in their Foulsham garden they decided to expand and moved to North Elmham. Frames for their chairs and settees were made out of English beech and then webbed and hand sprung before being canvassed and stuffed with coconut fibre and hair. The legs were made from walnut or cherry wood and turned on a lathe before being French polished. The finished piece was then covered with European damask. Gavin commented that they were making 'the antiques of the future'.

• If you recognise anyone in the pictures or would like to tell us more about them you can email rosemary.dixon@archant.co.uk