Grand Restoration

The MA in Furniture Conservation, Restoration and Decorative Art students from the University in High Wycombe cleaned the glass lustres on the chandelier, replaced the wiring and restored some parts of the structure during a four-day project completed as part of the decorative aspect of their qualification.Course Leader Dr Campbell Norman-Smith said: “This project utilises a range of skills and is a very good experience for the students – it is rare that you get up close and personal with a chandelier of this size and stature.”Shelly Seston, one of the students working on the chandelier, lives at RAF Halton with her husband Tony, a Flight Lieutenant in the RAF. Shelly said: “I cannot wait to see what it will look like when we have completed the work.”

The work was co-ordinated with the Halton House Heritage Committee, a charitable organisation that instigates small projects dedicated to preserving the upkeep of Halton House. The chair of the committee is Sqn Ldr Karen Swanston. Karen said “It’s fantastic that the Heritage Committee has been able to work with staff and students from Buckinghamshire New University to achieve the successful completion of this project. We look forward to continuing this association in the future.”