About Me

Mike Dennis had little interest in buildings…

…that is until a desire to find a job that could take me around the world led to enrolling on a course in site carpentry for adults in Bristol. Appalled and disheartened by what was being taught as standard building practice in the UK, a friend suggested trying traditional carpentry.

After a week long timber framing course in the Welsh woodlands with Alan Ritchie, a passion for traditional skills was kindled. And so began a traditional apprenticeship, exchanging labour for learning, bed and board. As funds dwindled, I was fortunate to be offered a National Lottery funded Traditional Building Skills bursary.

Fast forward a number of years, and an interest in traditional architecture, sustainability and environment that was kindled by travels and work in countries from Canada and China let to pursuing further studies. In 2016 I successfully completed an MSc in Timber Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, validated by the University of York.

After moving to France, and finding a lack of research into local vernacular architecture, I undertook an MA at the University of York to furnish myself with the scholarly tools to better investigate and interpret this amazing local resource.

I’ve been really fortunate to have learnt from some amazing individuals. Not only that, I’m proud to be a part of organisations such as the Carpenter’s Fellowship and Charpentiers Sans Frontières which have done so much towards promoting a craft that can not only help to preserve our heritage, build our future…