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

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/people/olympic-gymnast-cuts-ribbon-on-unique-seating-made-by-young-craftsman-for-bentham-residents-3326164?fbclid=IwAR1uSsw_RPOsfkftGh3aEugl7iWVZbA655m1wSganrnpAPtiG28YcIMKEWY

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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!!!!

https://www.theepochtimes.com/talented-woodworker-makes-rustic-bed-from-driftwood-fallen-in-stream-and-the-result-is-amazing_3657932.html

Building Surveyor Training

Completed this useful IAO QLS Accredited course

185202745_2883887545159114_8179364043624943897_n building surveyor

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

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1929402/Video-Teenager-Lancaster-turns-canal-boat-luxurious-holiday-home.html

The World News

https://twnews.co.uk/gb-news/fallen-trees-transformed-into-rustic-bed-by-genius-lancaster-carpenter

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Lanc Live

Thanks so much to #Lancslive for this article

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/fallen-trees-transformed-rustic-bed-18635297

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https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=2335801389986812&_rdr

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Learn Free 2020 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8e8E_tBP5Q/?igshid=1xsdgwqlps5fg

YOUTUBE

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4269939/teenager-18-transforms-5000-canal-boat-into-luxury-holiday-home-for-his-mum-and-sister-11-in-just-eight-weeks/

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/

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Bhaskar

Over the moon made #worldnews in #India #internationalnews

https://www.bhaskar.com/international/news/lancaster-boy-transforms-boat-into-luxury-holiday-home-for-his-mother-and-sister-01552109.html?sld_seq=1

Lancaster 18-Year-Old Boy, transforms boat into luxury holiday home for his mother and sister

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 !!!!!!!!!!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7052843/Teenaged-carpenter-18-transforms-5-000-canal-boat-luxury-holiday-home.html?fbclid=IwAR1ylmDj3lftr1QGVSdr3l2Xvd2VeYz2eTyeCEygP1qpps6-kI-RLZwyOJA

The Daily Mirror 

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teen-transforms-shabby-canal-boat-16177872?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

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The Telegraph

Thanks so much to The Telegraph and Stephen McGrath

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/rustbucket-roadworthy-10-days-vw-van-restored-teen-bet/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_t

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.

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http://www.waterwaysworld.com/

Link to the Amazing Spaces programme 

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/george-clarkes-amazing-spaces/on-demand/68208-003

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The World News and Blackpool Gazette 

Thanks to @BlackpoolGazette I have a piece on The World News; NEWS PLATFORM

https://theworldnews.net/gb-news/how-billy-arthur-walden-overcame-bullying-and-became-a-teenage-star-on-tv-s-amazing-spaces

Garstang Courier

Thanks to the @GarstangNews

https://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/business/how-billy-arthur-walden-overcame-bullying-and-became-a-teenage-star-on-tv-s-amazing-spaces-1-9675615

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

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/business/inspiring-teenager-gives-talk-at-lancaster-gallery-1-9680066?fbclid=IwAR29SK5eXpgWIzCR7eo6yZnK3E82sLHn4xmx4orGQascgYQ5hWQdLVdA_zo

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

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/how-billy-arthur-walden-overcame-bullying-and-became-a-teenage-star-on-tv-s-amazing-spaces-1-9675615

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

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mixcloud.com%2FBeyondRadio%2Fthe-resident-with-greg-lambert-19th-february-2019%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2DbdCmDVKg9S1Y1DRUXK49LfpslYlizxltSqQMTgdJRAV0o9NzaCklhL8&h=AT00S6Jo3b7PG48Eok6WhEihW8ePePBpPZ8SOBqr6RfQYbKYh-pP07hPCM4GowILxLS46DNo8vUAwOM6gm76bo8pc8d5ss-jwWRb4yMfMGxnUOrJTNZkMPKZusQNYYdCiVE6

BBC Lancashire

Thanks for the fab vid

Lancaster and Morecambe college 

Superb support from Lancaster and Morecambe college as always

https://www.lmc.ac.uk/the-college/news/61-construction/1580-billy-waltzes-along-the-lancaster-canal-on-his-amazing-space

Lancashire & North West magazine

Thank you so much to Karen for the awesome book review

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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

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Great coverage from the Lancaster Guardian 

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/young-bentham-craftsman-billy-discovers-tv-fame-with-his-amazing-space-1-9554902

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

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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.