Join BAFRA

Applicant Requirements for Full BAFRA Membership

Entrants must have at least five years experience in the profession, with high achievement in cabinet making and finishing skills, and equally high standards in some of the more specialist techniques such as gilding, boullework, pietra dure or lacquerwork. A thorough knowledge of Furniture History is also expected.

A BAFRA assessor will visit applicants in their workshops to "examine" their skills and knowledge. The assessor will also look at their business competence and integrity because a high standard of service to the public is mandatory. The report is presented to Bafra’s Executive Committee who will decide whether to admit the applicant for Full Membership. BAFRA is one of only three professional bodies in the conservation-restoration profession to "Accredit" its members, and takes this responsibility very seriously.

Benefits of BAFRA Membership

• BAFRA has awarded Accreditation Status to its Full Members for over 25 years, and the process used is unique to BAFRA. It is, as it should be, fairly formidable and focuses closely on two major areas. The applicants' experience and ability to carry out numerous aspects of conservation and restoration skills and processes, and the standard of the applicants' business practices in line with BAFRA's stringent Code of Ethics. These demands are largely responsible for the confidence with which owners in the private and public sectors feel able to place the conservation and restoration of their furniture and allied objects in BAFRA Members' hands.
• BAFRA affords its members the opportunity to exchange information on all aspects of their profession and constantly to improve their knowledge and skills.
• BAFRA members are able to call upon one another to assist in the execution of their work. This is of special importance where specialist skills are required during a restoration project. There are a number of furniture and furnishing related Specialist Skill Sections within the accredited membership such as Upholstery, Japanning and Leather Conservation which enable BAFRA to provide a 'complete service' to the public.
• BAFRA runs a strong publicity programme devoted to the welfare of our heritage, and the support of heritage owners and BAFRA members. The association takes part in trade fairs and has strong working relationships with the major antique dealers associations, leading auction houses, art loss tracking organisations and the insurance and loss adjusting industries. BAFRA also has strong working relationship with the Museum Community and was a Founder Member of the National Council for Conservation and Restoration which led to the formation of the Institute of Conservation (ICON).
• BAFRA has a strong educational remit towards its own members and to towards the Public. This is discharged through a long-standing programme of seminars and workshops for the benefit of all members, BAFRA Friends and the Public. For BAFRA Associate members aiming to establish themselves professionally within the Conservation and Restoration profession, Student, Ordinary and Graduate members benefit through programmes of practical instruction and a mentoring system.
• BAFRA publishes an Annual Directory, marketed publicly together with three issues per annum of the BAFRA Journal.. For all BAFRA Members a Suppliers’ List containing the names of specialist suppliers of materials and services is provided. The Directory and Journal are also distributed on a wide range to the Public. These publications are unique and contain articles on conservation and restoration over a very wide field of interest and historical subjects relating to the profession.
• BAFRA has a head office at which inquiries are handled and referrals made to the membership.
• A number of membership services are provided including the discounted sale of books, tools and various business services and for Full members favourable insurance.
• Accreditation may be awarded to those wishing to become Full Members and to benefit from BAFRA’s Nationwide name as the leading professionals in furniture conservation and restoration
• Online: Access to the Members Only Area of the website and the ability to change your online directory details.
• BAFRA is the nationally recognised authority on furniture conservation and restoration and acts as a combined voice for the restoration and conservation profession and this adds weight to any negotiation at a regional or national level.

BAFRA Friends

BAFRA, though not a registered charity, is a non-profit making organization, and as such is in need of funds in some key areas. BAFRA receives no public funding and needs private support to provide funds to aid the association in the following objectives:-

• Pursuing its goal to represent and maintain the very highest standards of craftsmanship in the world of furniture conservation and restoration.
• To aid BAFRA in its important work in the field of education, both of the general public and students entering the profession.
• Financial help to provide opportunities for students and full members to continue their training in specialist areas of their craft.

There are numerous benefits in BAFRA Friends’ membership including receipt of all our publications, preferential attendance at BAFRA events, discounted books and preferred links with the museums and heritage organisations.

Should you wish to support BAFRA in their efforts, and be able to take advantage of the benefits available to Friends of BAFRA, simply download and print off the Application Form, complete it, and send it to our Head Office.

Categories of Membership:

• Full/Full Specialist - £350.00 per annum.
• Corporate - £600.00 per annum.
• Associate:
  • Associate - £165.00 per annum.
  • Associate Overseas - £165.00 per annum.
  • Associate in Education - £260.00 (College Affiliation) per annum.
  • Associate Student - £25.00 per annum.
  • Associate Ordinary - £85.00 per annum.
  • Associate Graduate - £125.00 per annum.
• Friends:
  • Single - £50.00 per annum.
  • Joint (Two membership cards) - £85.00 per annum.
  • Overseas - £70.00 per annum.
  • OAP - £42.00 per annum.
  • Disabled - £35.00 per annum.