On leaving school at 16 in 1989 Douglas went to work as an apprentice wheelwright with Liveryman David Bysouth at Three Cups, Heathfield, East Sussex. He completed a 4 Year apprenticeship through the Rural Development Commission based at Salisbury and attained a City and Guilds in Wheelwrighting. On David’s retirement in 1997 he became self employed and took over the business, renting the workshop and yard from him. At the same time took on Daniel Lambert-Gorwyn as full time employee and who had served his wheelwright apprenticeship with Douglas.
In 2007 David wished to sell the property but beyond the means of Douglas so he bought derelict farm buildings, on the proviso that he would pay the appropriate price when he obtained change of use planning permission. Achieved 2 years later and now his base of operations.
On the 10th February 2014 Douglas was sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights to be a “Master Wheelwright” under a Scheme promoted by the City and Guilds and Livery Companies Skills Council.
Having worked full time for Douglas for 17 years Daniel has now moved on and is self employed and works on projects intermittently on a piece work basis with Douglas. Douglas is looking to take on an apprentice. If interested please contact him.
