In early 2021, West Dean College approached the Clockmakers' Charity, hoping for assistance to increase student capacity in its horological workshop. The Charity was pleased to be able to award a grant of £8,850.
The current workshop at the College has been in existence since the early 1990s with a capacity for 8 students. Following a concerted effort to make access possible for a larger number of students, the college has seen a rise in students applying to join their 2 year foundation program which teaches the basics of Horology through tool and Clockmaking before moving on to learn restorative/conservation techniques, with a number of these students go on to a third year of study. The College is therefore planning to expand their capacity from 8 to14 students, 12 spaces for full time students and space for professional development students/apprenticeships in the future.
The contribution from the Clockmakers' Charity will fund small bench mounted removable vices for fine work, new standard vices for 14 benches, 2 second hand watchmakers lathes and hand wheels, 4 additional basic tool kits for new students, a Variable speed motor for use on watchmakers lathes and 8 new Swiss platform escapements and spare parts for teaching purposes.
