Edward Barnsley Educational Trust

Since 1980 training in the Barnsley Workshop has been supported by the Edward Barnsley Educational Trust. The Trust was set up by a group of people who wanted to ensure the knowledge and skills built up in the Workshop over the years would be passed on to younger generations of furniture makers. The Workshop is thriving over twenty years after Edward Barnsley's death because he created a unique and wonderful place and because of the hard work put in by Trust employees and supporters. It continues to develop, to produce special furniture and to be a place where people want to come to learn the craft.

In the early years of the Trust the buildings were purchased from Tania, Edward’s widow, which ensured the long-term future of the workshop. Today the Trust, as well as supporting the training, maintains the workshop and adjoining cottage. It houses the archive of over 4,000 of Edward’s drawings as well as Edward’s extensive correspondence and photographs of many of his pieces. Since its inception the Trust has helped over fifty apprentices and pupils become skilled furniture makers.

The Trust’s funding comes from the sale of furniture made by its craftsmen and apprentices, grants, donations from individuals and organizations and the Friends of the Edward Barnsley Educational Trust.

The Edward Barnsley Educational Trust registered as Charity Number 279514 on 18th February 1980. Click here to see the relevant pages on the Charity Commission website. 

Current Trustees

Rodney Kington McMahon BA FCA (Chairman)

Paul Martin MA (RCA) FCSD

William Clifford Maurice Jackson

Clive Stewart-Lockhart

As set out in its deeds the Trust’s charitable objects are:

1. To assist persons who are in need of financial assistance and who are preparing for, entering upon or engaged in the craft of handmade furniture making by providing the with tools, outfits or by paying fees, traveling or maintenance expenses or by such other means for their advancement in life to enable them to earn their living as the trustees think fit;
2. In otherwise promoting the Education and Training of such persons;
3. To preserve and maintain for the public benefit the Edward Barnsley archive.

The Edward Barnsley Educational Trust 1980–2010

All prices include VAT
VAT Registration No. 194 0898 24
Registered as a Charity (1980) No. 279514