Most of us live in Elsworth as
we enjoy village life with its peace and sense of community that its
small size brings. It is also most attractive, with its buildings in
particular linking us with the past. The way of life has, of course,
changed markedly - a cursory glance over census returns of the 19th
century shows the presence of many craftsmen and tradesmen in a parish
that was self-sufficient to a considerable degree. Wheelwrights,
builders, joiners, bakers, butchers etc are listed among the many
agricultural workers.
Today most here would be seen as commuters, giving Elsworth the sense
of a dormitory village.
Perhaps unknown to many recent newcomers to the village, the craft
tradition is not extinct and furniture crafted in Fardell’s
Lane is known and respected over a great distance. Our church has
recently become the proud possessor of an elegant side-table in English
oak, the legs of which reflect the grace of the Gothic arches and
windows of the building. Adrian Parfitt, its creator, has designed and
produced over the years so many pieces of superb furniture that only a
passing reference may be made here.
Pride of place must be given,
though, to a magnificent round table created for Oxford University
around which sixteen people may sit. However, his work is not confined
to the grand scale and Adrian produces much for the domestic scene
– coffee tables, cabinets, desks and the like.
Much of Adrian’s work is characterised by majestic curves
that may be created by means of lamination. The form of the design is a
product of discussions between the customer and Adrian. A recent
example of this was the recollection of a crescent moon influencing the
design of a computer desktop.
Adrian came to Elsworth in 1975 following an apprenticeship in London.
Prior to setting up on his own account in 1983 he worked in
Cambridge. In Elsworth his first workshop was in Brook Street behind
No. 10 and in 1983 he moved to his present base in an interesting
listed building in Fardell’s Lane. The work undertaken here
is fascinating, and an attempt to give readers an insight will be
contained in the next edition of the Chronicle. The work is of such
quality that in years to come owners will surely speak with pride of
their example of the work of Parfitt of Elsworth.
Some examples of his work are shown below; click on the thumbnail to see a larger picture. Some more examples of his work are shown in his brochure.
 Altar table in solid and laminated English Oak |
 Desk in English Walnut |
 Fan table in Hyedua and birds-eye Maple |
 Table in solid and laminated English Oak |
 Hall table in Maple, birds-eye Maple & Walnut |
|
 Meeting table for Oxford University in Cherrywood and birds eye Maple |
 Console table in solid and laminated English Walnut |
 Desk in English Oak |
 Desk and chair in solid and laminated English Walnut |
Desk
in English Brown Oak
|
|
 Mirror in solid and laminated English Walnut |
 Side table in English Walnut and burr Yew |
 Chair in laminated Cherrywood and birds eye Maple |
 Chair in laminated English Oak |
 Chair in solid and laminated English Oak |
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