The annual Burnley College Furniture Show at Towneley Hall was opened in a prestigious ceremony by the Mayor of Burnley Councillor Howard Baker, Burnley College Chair of the Governing Board David Meakin, Burnley College Vice Chair of the Governing Board David Brown, and Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, Dr Tony Smart MBE. Visitors can enjoy the exhibition until Sunday 1 July.

All the stunning pieces on show are crafted and designed by Burnley College Sixth Form Centre and UCLan Burnley students, Burnley College adult learners and Themis Apprentices. The event perfectly showcased the outstanding variety of skills taught within the furniture making school, and was a fantastic way to start the Furniture Show’s month-long installation at Towneley Hall.

Bespoke pieces were also on display by UCLan Burnley student Jake Perry, who has just completed his HND study in Furniture Design having progressed from achieving his A Level in Product Design. Jake has now secured a position at The Senator Group as a CNC Technician, which he has started this week, and aims to progress further within the business. Jake has designed a wine table using oak and has used modern manufacturing methods to realise his design.

Also exhibiting her final piece is Ocean Rattigan, who has just completed her A Level in Product Design.

Ocean has made a traditional dressing table with a modern twist specific to her client’s needs. In addition she has manufactured metal hair pin legs which she has spray painted in copper effect to match the drawer handles.

The table top is assembled using a 'bread board' edge using ash board and walnut edging.

Head of Construction at Burnley College David Lord said:

“The work on show at this year’s Furniture Show at Towneley Hall is truly outstanding. We’d love as many people as possible to come down and be inspired by the pieces our students have created, to show support but also to see what their hard work has achieved. Every year the high quality of work our students produce is impressive and I’m doubly impressed that a number of the students whose work is on show have enabled them to progress to their chosen universities and to being working with top local employers.”

Hugh Bramwell, Principal said:

“The Furniture Show is always a highlight of the College calendar and this year is no exception. The outstanding pieces being shown throughout the exhibition are a credit to the hard work and dedication of our students, who have worked day and night with the full support of their tutors to make sure their pieces are the best work they can produce. I wish each of the students the best of luck with their progression to Advanced Level courses and some of the UK’s top universities and employers.”