Tuesday 5 July 2011
Student Shines to Impress
Furniture Restoration student Graeme Weddell proved to be a shining example recently as he transformed an old boardroom chair belonging to the firm who supply the College’s Construction Department with polish.
The 49-year-old second year HND student from Grangemouth – a former engineer - took on the challenge after Smith and Rodger Ltd’s owner Ian McAslan identified the Victorian Secretary corner chair for renovation.
Ian, whose company supply the college’s Furniture Restoration students with polishing kits, said: “This chair had been in our boardroom for nearly 50 years and certainly needed some time spent cleaning it up.
“Lecturer Ian Smith had a look at it and said it could look amazing once one of his students had put work in on it and he has proved to be right. I didn’t expect too much, but it is fair to say I am very impressed by the work Graeme has done. I am particularly impressed with the certain small historical features on the chair that he left alone as they did not need to be touched.
“I am delighted with the results and the chair will be going back into the boardroom. My father who retired recently and ran the business for many years will also be delighted to see the chair restored. Our relationship with Falkirk and now Forth Valley College has been strong for nearly 20 years and we are so happy that our wood finishing products are being used by such talented students.”
Graeme said:
“I took on the job and saw that the whole chair needed restored, but I am delighted with the outcome and it has turned out really well. I am definitely proud of it.
“I think I used all the skills I have been taught here in restoring that chair and they all came in very handy I can tell you. As an engineer I felt that I had done everything in that industry that I wanted to and so turned to furniture restoration. I am now looking forward to starting up my own workshop when I leave called Robertson Bruce based in Broxburn and I can’t wait.”
Construction Lecturer and Curriculum Quality Leader Ian Smith, said: “We have always had a valued and important relationship with Smith and Rodger Ltd and it was great that Graeme could restore one of their boardroom chairs. He’s done a great job and I’m sure he will have taken a lot out of the challenge.
“I’m delighted Ian McAslan is happy with the results and the fact that the chair will once again be able to take pride of place in the company’s boardroom.”
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