The Furnishings team

Meet the Landmark staff who furnish and craft items for our historic properties. We also depend on external contractors and craftspeople across Britain; such as thatchers, stonemasons, plasterers, carpenters, joiners and decorators.

John Evetts

Furnishings Consultant

John Evetts has shaped the presentation of Landmark’s buildings for over 40 years. Joining Landmark in 1976 following a career as a photographer, John worked closely with Landmark’s founders John and Christian Smith in the early days of the charity: he knows each building and its surroundings intimately.

From our workshop in the Cotswolds, John advises Landmark on furnishings and the settings of its buildings.

 The furnishing process

 

Fraser Perry

Warehouse Manager

Fraser manages the warehouse at Honeybourne in Warwickshire. He says 'I hadn’t heard of the Landmark Trust until I saw the job, and since then it has become a passion for me. To be able to have even the smallest input in helping to preserve the heritage of this country gives me lots of enjoyment. I am responsible for replenishing items in Landmarks - from rugs and antique chairs to postcards and cleaning products. Since joining Landmark I feel that I am part of a new family where everyone looks out for each other and has one goal, the best for The Landmark Trust. May it continue to grow for a long long time.'

Mark Smitten

Landmark Craftsperson

Mark says 'I’ve been involved with Landmark Trust first as a contractor and now as an employee for over thirty years. My work is always varied - but the best jobs are the one-off oddball things, like making all the fireplaces for Belmont. I trained with Gordon Russell's in Broadway, one of the original Arts & Crafts-inspired cabinet makers, and sharing the craft with others today feels like passing on a great tradition.'

Bill Barkley

Landmark Craftsperson

Bill was Landmark’s first full-time craft trainee, he says: 'I first worked for Landmark as a labourer on the restoration of Belmont in Lyme Regis. I’d done general labouring on ordinary construction sites before, but this was totally different: the materials, the techniques, the skills and the change of pace were a real eye-opener; it all just felt more meaningful, somehow, and I was hooked. I loved how with heritage projects you can make your mark without compromising what has gone before. I stayed on with Landmark as an apprentice working on maintenance across the country, then Landmark found a supporter to fund my training. Thanks to her amazing generosity, I was able to do my NVQ, specialising in heritage carpentry and joinery. Now I’m fully qualified.'

Bill is based in one of the adjoining barns at Gurney Manor, supporting surveyor Mark Cox in the Southwest region.  

Matt Cannell

Landmark Craftsperson

Originally from the Isle of Man, Matt served his apprenticeship in joinery and is a graduate of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, in Washington State, USA. He studied traditional boat building and repair and restoration.

Matt was attracted to his role at Landmark because it offered new and interesting projects, not found in regular joinery shops. Helping to restore important features of historic buildings was another draw for Matt. 

 

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