West Dean College of Arts and Conservation is known for its Foundation Degree courses in clock making, but in advance of that it will be offering the opportunity for prospective students, or those with an interest in clocks who would like to learn more, the opportunity to take part in a four-day Introductory course to Clock Making, which will take place between Sunday, April 3 – Thursday, April 7, 2022.  

Malcolm Archer, Subject Leader (Clocks) Conservation at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation commented: “The course comes at a time when the media have been focussing on the Heritage Craft Association’s Red List. The discussion has focussed on the future of clock-making and conservation and has expressed concern whether there is a new generation coming forward. We are very pleased to be running the course again after a gap of a few years due to Covid 19. The course is based in West Dean College's Clocks and Related Objects very well-equipped workshop and could be viewed as a precursor to those interested in applying for the two year, full time Foundation Degree in Clocks.” 

The four-day beginners course hosted by Tim Hughes and Dale Sardeson will start with the design and calculation of individual clock components as well as covering many aspects of the clock making process, ultimately resulting in the manufacture of a working escapement model to take home.  

As Dale explains: “During the course, you can expect to participate in practical demonstrations and the application of hand-skills, together with the operation of machine tools. It aims to promote an enthusiasm for creativity, and the concept and development of three-dimensional dynamic objects.” 

Tim Hughes (MBHI) trained at West Dean College and works as a clockmaker and scientific instrument restorer, and as external consultant at Bellman’s Auctioneers. He has received several awards, including the Trustees' Prize while at West Dean College and a QEST Scholarship, while Dale Sardeson (MBHI) is a professional clockmaker and conservator based in West Sussex. He has a passion for traditional craft and modern materials science, and his practice fuses these two disciplines. Both tutors assist Malcolm Archer in the running of the full-time horology courses at West Dean. 

For more details on the course, which costs £598, please visit https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/short-courses/courses/s4d11670-clock-making.  A residential option is available, more details on accommodation can be found https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/short-courses/accommodation.  

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation has an international reputation for excellence and is a full partner of the University of Sussex. Students benefit from fully equipped workshops, expert tutors and lecturers, and access to material from the College’s amazing Collection and Archive. Craft Foundation Degrees include Metalwork, Furniture, Clocks and Musical Instruments, for more information on these and other Conservation and Fine Art study opportunities, see www.westdean.ac.uk.  

To ensure a safe and welcoming campus, the College has put in place measures operating on a principle of the same as, or better than, national guidelines. This includes social distancing, self-opening doors, less students in workshops, and extensive cleaning and sanitising protocols to protect students and staff. For more details on Social Distancing and COVID-19 measures, please visit  https://www.westdean.org.uk/coronavirus 

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation can be found on Social Media: 
https://twitter.com/westdeancollege 
https://www.facebook.com/westdeancollege 
https://www.instagram.com/westdeancollege/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/school/westdeancollege