Member Structure

The membership of BAFRA is organised into two basic categories of Full and Associate status.

Every year the BAFRA Members Directory is published, providing details of all BAFRA Members together with published articles and useful information on the subject of restoration and conservation.

There are also 'Friends of BAFRA' for members of the public interested in furniture, its history, care, conservation and restoration.

Details of the member categories are listed below:

Full BAFRA Member

FULL BAFRA MEMBERS are those who have undergone and passed the BAFRA Entry Assessment. They will have been working in the profession for a minimum of five years prior to application for membership. They are multiskilled and fully able to deal with all or most aspects of antique furniture conservation-restoration. Many have additional skills such as clock movements, keyboard instruments, boulle work etc. They are accredited by BAFRA.

Specialist Full Members

SPECIALIST FULL MEMBERS have full membership status, are accredited by BAFRA, but may not have all the skills required fully to complete work on objects of furniture. In their specialist fields, however, they will have more experience than full Member. Examples are 'Gilders' and 'Oriental Lacquer Specialists'.

Associate Members

Associate Members are unaccredited Members of BAFRA and are listed in six categories:

1. Associates are those members who were formerly either Full or Full Specialist members who have retired and are no longer fully active in Furniture Conservation and Restoration.
2. Associate Members Overseas are those members of BAFRA working outside GB. They are not accredited by BAFRA.
3. Associate Members in Education are Members of BAFRA in teaching appointments at Colleges recognised by and affiliated with BAFRA. They are not accredited by BAFRA.
4. Associate Student Members join BAFRA whilst either taking a course in Furniture Conservation and Restoration at a college recognised by BAFRA or during an apprenticeship with a Furniture Conservator Restorer approved by BAFRA; alternatively, if neither of the above apply, through formal application to BAFRA.
5. Associate Ordinary Members are those who have completed the course at a BAFRA approved college or an apprenticeship with a BAFRA approved Furniture Conservator Restorer. Any other non-approved route would require an ‘assessed’ application. The Associate Ordinary member is required to produce an annual report on their work and experience together with attendance at two educational days per year.
6. Associate Graduate Members are those who have been formally assessed by BAFRA based primarily on the skills criteria of the Full Member Assessment. They are required to complete an annual report and attend two educational days per year as their CPD programme. They are not accredited by BAFRA.

Friends of BAFRA

FRIENDS OF BAFRA are members of the public who have an interest in furniture conservation-restoration and support the Association with an annual membership.

For further information on becoming a Friend of BAFRA please go to our Join BAFRA page or contact BAFRA Head Office.

To find an Accredited BAFRA Member please visit our Find a Restorer page.

For further information on becoming a member of BAFRA please see our Join BAFRA page, contact our Membership Officer:

Gerald Langley,
The Garage Workshop,
Smalleys Yard,
Bathley,
Newark,
Nottinghamshire NG23 6DA
Tel: 01636 678261

Or contact BAFRA Head Office and we will be pleased to assist.

To find an accredited BAFRA restorer please visit our Find a Restorer page.