In 2018 awards were made posthumously to craftsman David Linford, one of the Fellowship’s founders, and conservation builder Anthony Goode, an inspirational teacher and mentor. Sadly, both died during the year and will be much missed in the SPAB and in the building conservation world.
Gwyn Watkins Award
Gwyn Watkins Award
To mark the 30th anniversary of its William Morris Craft Fellowship training programme in 2017 the SPAB instituted a new award, which will be given periodically (when merited). It acknowledges an outstanding personal contribution both to traditional building skills and in support of the SPAB Fellowship. It is named in honour of one the first Fellows, stonemason Gywn Watkins, who was a superb craftsman and an inspiring host and mentor to those who came after him.
Through this award, the SPAB recognises those who have demonstrated excellence in their own work, actively supported and encouraged other craftspeople, and made a long-term contribution to building conservation, the SPAB and the Fellowship – as hosts, teachers, employers and supporters.
Past Winners
2018 winners
2017 winners
The first Gwyn Watkins awards went to bricklayer Emma Simpson (Simpson Brickwork Conservation Ltd) and stone conservator Dr David Carrington (Skillington Workshop Ltd) – both respected craftspeople, inspiring teachers and unstinting supporters of the SPAB and building skills training.
2020 winner
The 2020 award was presented to stonemason Tom Flemons of Cliveden Conservation, a long-term member of Education & Training Committee, Scholars & Fellows Liaison Group and Fellowship recruitment panel. Tom is himself a past Fellow, and now a host and mentor to other craftspeople, as well as one of the group of SPAB members helping to guide the Old House Project.
