We are a great supporter of the wonderful craft of watchmaking, so we were excited to have the opportunity to spend the day at the British Horological Institute (BHI), based at Upton Hall, an imposing building that was erected by Thomas Wright in 1828. He was a member of a well-known Nottingham banking family and had been High Sheriff of Nottingham in 1811.
We were shown around by Brian Noble, Operations Director who explained that the BHI is first and foremost a national membership organisation that exists to represent the views and interests of all of Britain’s horologists. They’ve been around for a long time. First established in 1858, they still fulfil the original functions for which they were established.
They set national standards of horological practice and provide training and education for current and future generations of horologists. But they do far more. They act as a professional body for Britain’s clock and watchmakers and we also act as a quasi-trade association.
They are now one of the last remaining providers of training and education for horology in the UK. They specialise in short, affordable courses for the busy professional and the keen enthusiast alike.
Their large portfolio of courses offer continual professional development opportunities for today’s professionals, introductory courses for the interested enthusiast, and structured learning for the next generation of Britain’s clock and watchmakers.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the BHI learning all about the ‘Institute’ and the exciting plans they have for the future.
