A Day in the Life of a SPAB Fellow: An Experience Beyond Definition

Every year, we select four craftspeople with a passion for old buildings to join the SPAB Fellowship, a unique training programme designed to broaden the skills and experience of craftspeople involved with historic buildings.

From March to December, the Fellows travel the UK and Ireland together to learn traditional craft techniques from experts in the field and develop their approach to building repair.  

Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe, carpenter and 2024 Fellow, shares a snapshot of his journey so far.   

Where did you wake up this morning?  

This morning I woke up at the Scottish Crannog Centre. This is an Iron Age re-enactment village and museum located on Loch Tay, in the Central Highlands.

We're currently assisting the Crannog Centre with their 'Celts are Coming' festival. This is their biggest event of the year in which they bring an array of craftspeople together to celebrate and exhibit traditional crafts and skills. 

The Scottish Crannog Centre © Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe

What did you get up to today?  

I started my day with a run up onto the moorland above the Loch. Something I've really enjoyed about the Fellowship is that every week we have a completely different landscape to explore and vernacular to study.

I then had a swim in the Loch, some breakfast and then myself and James continued making a shave horse. We've been hand-hewing a slab of Oak for the bed and cleaving and shaping Ash billets for the legs. 

I met the Historic Environment Scotland Craft Fellows who are participating in a programme similar to the SPAB Fellowship, yet specific to the conservation of vernacular buildings in Scotland. I also spent time with those who regularly work at the Crannog centre, such as green woodworkers, blacksmiths and archaeologists, and I spoke with visitors to the centre as well.  

2024 Fellow Marly Lagnado stone carving at the Crannog Centre © Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe 

What was your most memorable moment this week?  

The Fellowship has introduced us to many leading figures in the industry who actively support what we do and encourage us to stay in contact.  

We spent a day with Leon Walsh, the Head Structural Engineer for Historic England, based at their North-East office in Newcastle. He gave us a fast, thorough tour of Newcastle, beginning with ruin consolidation at Tynemouth Priory with English Heritage and ending with the ongoing repair and maintenance of the Tyne Bridge with Newcastle City Council. It was a varied day in a city I'm not familiar with. It was great to get an insight into what Leon's job entails.

Discussing ruin consolidation at Tynemouth Priory with English Heritage © Leon Walsh

What’s one thing you’ll do differently as a result of your experience so far?  

The people we meet on our travels who inspire us the most display humility, an openness to criticism and fluidity in their ideas. These people tend to have the greatest depth of understanding and experience in their field.  

The Fellowship has taught me the value in striving to 'do right' in our work, as opposed to wanting to 'be right'. I feel encouraged and inspired to pursue this integrity. I believe it's a responsibility we should enjoy attempting to exemplify. 

Scholars and Fellows with 2014 Fellow and stonemason Eoin Madigan at Reynolds Folly in Ballyshannon, Donegal © Sarika Jhawar

What would you say to someone thinking of applying for the Fellowship? 

First of all, get involved with the SPAB before applying. Become a member; come to a Working Party; enrol on a course; get in touch with some past Fellows and Scholars. The Fellowship is difficult to summarise. I think everyone who's been through it will define it differently.  

So far, to me, it's been an educational journey that relies on travel, visual study, physical experience and the development and continuation of interpersonal relationships within building conservation and heritage crafts culture. It's for those who are passionate and motivated in their work and can visualise an exciting and rewarding future.  

Jim and Ellie-Jae working on stained glass © Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe

This doesn't mean that you should know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your career. The Fellowship is also about welcoming change and pursuing new opportunities.

However, I believe it's important to have already established a certain level of competency and identity within your own speciality before applying. Having this foundation, you'll feel prepared to make the most of the Fellowship and will know how you can actively contribute from the first day. 

Finally, if you're considering the Fellowship or Scholarship, there's no age limit. The right time to apply will be unique to you. So, take your time and enjoy the process. 

Applications are now open for the 2025 SPAB Fellowship. Find out more and apply by Monday 14 October.