In November 1961 the Rural Industries Bureau, as was, held a furniture restoration course at thier workshops in Wimbledon which led to a chance meeting of Tom Benham and Richard Gill from Skipton who became friends. From farming stock in Somerset and the Yorkshire Dales, where traditionally the first son took over the ancestral farm and any other offspring had to look for alternative employment in the rural community, whether it be Blacksmith, Farrier, Wheelwright or Furniture maker, it is no surprise that these two men were practically minded, making a living with thier hands.
Tom went on to form the chair side of the business in the early 1970's reproducing the finest models of the Windsor chairmakers art which had evolved over 300 years. Within a few years frame chairs, cabinets and tables followed in traditional and contemporary styles. The current and second generation of the business has followed these roots, and is now based in Yorkshire.
Batheaston has always prided itself in being able to build furniture to suit all tastes using native hardwoods, oak, ash, sycamore and cherry, and more importantly still emplys local men and women to turn these materials into heirlooms of the future.
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