Billy Arthur Walden is an award winning carpenter. At 15 years old he was the youngest person to complete a full camper-van conversion completely by himself with no assistance. It was furnished to the highest standard and the quality of workmanship was so outstanding and unique it even impressed Mr George Clarke so much that it featured on his programme Amazing Spaces. George called Billy ‘a talented but humble craftsman’ and stated that Billy’s work ‘took his breath away’. At 16 years old he then went on to prove the quality of his carpentry skills by winning the SkillBuild award; the largest multi-trade competition in the UK.
At 17 yrs old he fully rebuilt a 1965 narrow boat by himself, this was shown as an A build on George Clarkes Amazing Spaces and Billy became the youngest project manager on the programme and the first to have two builds shown on the same episode.
Semi-finalist in the Channel 4 series Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker. He was chosen from 500 applicants to compete in the programme and worked is way down to the final four contestants. Billy also won the dovetail challenge. You can watch episode 1 here https://youtu.be/fvSDJo5rnWM5
Billy has now been accepted into the Institute of Carpenters (LIOC) at the grade of Licentiate in recognition of his achievements at Lancaster and Morecambe College where he studied Carpentry and also gained first place in the Regional SkillBuild Competition. The Institute also recognised the high regard for Billy expressed by his college lecturers and his referees.
In 2018 Billy then went on to be placed second in the Institute of Carpenters Competition. Billy was Home Schooled and It was noted by the Judges that Billy had been at a disadvantage as he was the only child without tutor support or access to College facilities, this did not hinder Billy who still managed a prestigious second place with his hand made piece which he made solely. In 2019 Billy again entered the competition again without tutor support or college facility’s and this time he won the regional Award
Billy’s first camper-van build, an amazing conversion from an old horsebox to superb camper-van, as seen on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
Thanks to @freecarmag for this article
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/67336144/free-car-mag-113/18
CRAVEN COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARDS
Super excited to have been nominated for this 😍
BBC RADIO LANCASHIRE
Guest blog Great Place Lakes and Dales
The Epoch Times
Never thought when I was collecting some wood in Keasden that the bed story would end up in a newspaper in New York!!!!
Building Surveyor Training
Completed this useful IAO QLS Accredited course
Right this minute TV
Thanks to Right this minute TV for doing an awesome clip on my bed
https://www.rightthisminute.com/story/131517/video/embed
The Daily Mail
The World News
https://twnews.co.uk/gb-news/fallen-trees-transformed-into-rustic-bed-by-genius-lancaster-carpenter
Lanc Live
Thanks so much to #Lancslive for this article
https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/fallen-trees-transformed-rustic-bed-18635297
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=2335801389986812&_rdr
Learn Free 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8e8E_tBP5Q/?igshid=1xsdgwqlps5fg
YOUTUBE
Learning through Living magazine
Great to be featured in the Learning through Living magazine, what a beautifully set out article.
https://www.facebook.com/learningthroughlivingjournal/
Bhaskar
Over the moon made #worldnews in #India #internationalnews
The Metro
Yay in The Metro!! The United Kingdoms Highest circulation newspaper.
https://www.metro.news/teen-turns-old-barge-into-a-luxury-home-in-just-eight-weeks/1567478/
ALL 4
Wow!!! Thanks to @All4 for putting me on this trailer I’ve had nearly 4.3 million views!!
The Daily Mail
Just made the Nationals with the #Dailymail Yay !!!!!!!!!!
The Daily Mirror
The Telegraph
Thanks so much to The Telegraph and Stephen McGrath
Waterways World
I am on the front cover of Waterways World of their June edition, Waterways World is the biggest-selling and longest-established inland waterways magazine.
http://www.waterwaysworld.com/
Link to the Amazing Spaces programme
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/george-clarkes-amazing-spaces/on-demand/68208-003
The World News and Blackpool Gazette
Thanks to @BlackpoolGazette I have a piece on The World News; NEWS PLATFORM
Garstang Courier
Thanks to the @GarstangNews
Bullying prevention event Lancaster
Had a fantastic turnout for my first event and could not of had a better audience, ended up being a big group discussion, really enjoyed and benefited from it, looking forward to my next one. pics of some of the people who attended and thanks to @beyondradio for the support.
Lancaster Guardian
Thank You to the #Lancasterguardian @Lancasterguardian for covering our event
Beyond Radio
So pleased to be asked back this time to talk specifically about my event this Saturday @inspiregiftsandgallery in #Lancaster talking about #bullying
Lancashire Post
Thanks so much to Fiona for this great article #Volkswagen #VWlt
Friends of Lancaster Museum
Honoured to be asked to talk at the Museum, thanks so much @FOLCM1
Waterways World
Thanks so much to @waterwaysworld #waterwaysworld
Lancashire Libraries
Thanks to #Morecambe library for a fab day!
BBC Radio Lancashire
Excited to be on the Sally Naden show on Wednesday morning
Heart Radio
Thanks so much to @dannycmatthews for visiting the boat with Darren Milby, awesome day! @heartradio #dannymatthews #heartradio
Beyond Radio
Thank you for having us as your guests on the Greg Lambert show
#carpentry #homeeducation #bullying
https://twitter.com/LambertLive72/status/1097861729093144578
Link to the show
BBC Lancashire
Thanks for the fab vid
Lancaster and Morecambe college
Superb support from Lancaster and Morecambe college as always
Lancashire & North West magazine
Thank you so much to Karen for the awesome book review
Lancashire Libraries
Honoured to have been asked to do a book signing at Morecambe Library on the 8th March
BBC Lancashire
Thank you to #BBCLancashire for Billy’s interview and putting Billy on the news
Lancaster District magazine
Brilliant write up, even put the first chapter of the book MatildaJayne in!
‘MATILDA JAYNE’ our great canal journey
Great coverage from the Lancaster Guardian
Billy’s Awards
At 16 yrs old Billy won the regional Skillbuilds competition, he now been accepted into the Institute of Carpenters (LIOC) at the grade of Licentiate in recognition of his achievements at college and with him gaining first place in the Regional Skillbuild Competition. The Institute also recognised the high regard for Billy expressed by his college lecturers and his referees. Billy is now a Licentiate of the Institute of Carpenters.
https://www.lmc.ac.uk/the-college/news/61-construction/1128-lmc-success-in-skillbuild-competition
Billy’s certificate
Billy then came second in the Institute of Carpenters Craft competition making a radiator cover by hand. He was the only child that entered who did not have tutor support, nor a workshop or access to college equipment. He made the radiator cover totally by himself and followed the complex plans. When he received his award it was noted about how good the standard of work was with him having no tutor support.