Jonathan Farley ACR
About Me
I am an accredited Archives Conservator, Collections Care Consultant, Bookbinder and Paper Maker, working in the heritage sector, supporting museums, archives, specialist libraries and herbaria.
With over forty years of experience, I began training as a bookbinder in the early 1980s, gaining both an ONC and an HNC. While working as a binder, I also learned the crafts of papermaking, compositing and printing.
In addition to running my own bindery, I also worked in my father's art studio, undertaking line work and paste-up. Having gained practice in these skills, I then went on to train as an archives conservator, gaining an HND and an MA. I became an accredited conservator in 2001.
I have worked for a variety of institutions and for twenty-five years, was the senior conservator at a world heritage site, during which time I oversaw the art conservation of a £3million Heritage Lottery Funded project, which uniquely, was delivered on time and under budget.
Training
Certificate in Craft Bookbinding - London College of Printing
B'TECH Higher National Certificate in Design (Bookbinding) - London College of Printing
B'TECH Higher National Diploma in Conservation Studies - Camberwell School of Arts, The London Institute.
Master of Arts in Conservation - Camberwell College of Arts, The London Institute
Work History
Senior Conservator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In charge of Kew's Conservation Unit, comprising of two conservation studios which contain a variety of project staff. Maintaining an overview on all Kew's Heritage collections, including Library, Art and Archives material, the historic aspects of Kew's Herbarium collection, Kew's Objet d'Art collection which ranges from historic statuary to furniture, as well as advising, when required, on the conservation of Kew's 40+ grade-listed buildings
Senior Conservator, Brynmor Jones Library, University of Hull. I Designed and operated the Library Conservation Unit and managed the library restoration and rebinding.
Hampshire Archives Trust Conservator, Hampshire Record Office, Winchester. I provided conservation services for business and personal archives not held within Hampshire Record Office. Projects included: The Charters of Winchester Cathedral. The Archive collection of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. The manuscript of Version B of the Anthem For the Foundling Hospital by G F Handel (Owned by the Thomas Coram Foundation).
Self Employed Bookbinder and Conservator, Kent Short term contracts and binding in my own workshop. Customers included: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Public Record Office, Lincoln's Inn & Kew, Ordsall Hall Museum, Salford, Peel Park Museum, Salford, London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, Greater London Council, Bexley Library and Museums Service, Bromley Library Service, Kleinwort Benson Ltd, David Warren Printing Consultants, Chase Manhatten, Midland Bank PLC, Welcome Ltd.
