Waterfoot carpenter helps to preserve the Queen’s castle (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Waterfoot carpenter helps to preserve the Queen’s castle

9:37am Friday 30th December 2011 in Waterfoot By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A FORMER Accrington and Rossendale student who excelled during his apprenticeship is now a carpenter for the Royal Family.

Peter Kernen, of Park Road, Waterfoot is one of a group of joiners who maintains one of the Queen of England’s official residencies – Windsor Castle.

The 20-year-old Peter said: “It’s a dream job, I’m working alongside master craftsmen in a remarkable historic building. There’s so much to learn about my trade and I never get bored with it.

“The Royal Family are never around when we’re working so I don’t really get to see anyone even if I’m working in the private rooms.”

Peter first realised he was interested in carpentry after doing some work experience while still at school.

Before he knew it he was offered a job and an apprenticeship where he could study for a City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma.

He excelled and by the time he had completed his course last year, he had been encouraged to apply for the Prince’s Foundation – the prestigious architecture school and trust founded by the Prince of Wales, and allows young craftsmen to work alongside master craftsmen in historic buildings around the country.

Peter was accepted by the Foundation and spent the next eight months working at places such as York Minster, Windsor Castle and other historic homes and palaces.

He said: “I became hooked on the whole refurbishment and heritage side of my trade.

“Over the past eight months I have learnt so much more and been involved in refur-bishing some amazing pie-ces.”

A highlight for him was repairing 300-year-old wooden doors.

He added: “I love the fact that I’m following in the footsteps of amazingly skilled craftsmen.”

Peter scooped the City & Guilds’ Outstanding Achiever of the Year award which led to the head of Windsor’s maintenance and heritage team offering him a job.