Armourer's call to arms over skills shortage

A business owner is offering free accommodation in an effort to secure the future of a centuries-old craft.

Matt Finchen, 31, runs Lancaster Armoury from premises in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, making equipment for reenactors and enthusiasts.

Despite a healthy order book, he said the lack of formal training opportunities meant finding suitable staff was like "the needle in the haystack".

To help remedy this Mr Finchen has started offering internships where selected candidates lived on site.

Mr Finchen said his interest was sparked when he was "dragged around" heritage sites in the UK as a child.

His 14-year-old ambition to take up jousting was initially frustrated by the cost of the armour.

He said: "I emailed, like a dumb kid, all the armourers in England and found it cost many thousands of pounds.

"My reaction was 'If I can't buy it, I'll make it' so I bought some basic tools and started shaping metal in my parents garage."

He considered a blacksmithing course but found it was "mostly about horseshoes" and "were dismissive people could actually make a career of it".

Medieval armourers had a seven-year apprenticeship but Mr Finchen had to make do with 18 months.

"I just thought it was time to have a stab at it," he said.

"Starting a business is a big deal for anyone but more so when you are still learning the craft.

"At the age of 18 trying to run your own workshop, take orders and do your own marketing, it was pretty intense.

"I wouldn't recommend it."

He took ownership of Lancaster Armoury in 2017, with the intention of making equipment affordable to all.

It offers off-the-shelf items, such as a simple helmet made with modern welding techniques in a few hours, which cost from £100.

This compares to a specially-commissioned helmet, representing a month's work, costing thousands - with a top quality full set of armour coming in at more than £20,000.

But having struggled to find suitable training himself, and finding a lack of skills in the employment pool, he has started his own scheme.

"There's lots of interest, there are lots of people who want to give it a go," he added.

"But finding people who have that natural talent for it is a needle in a haystack.

"It is too expensive a process for the company to regular have trials.

"So you have to look at people and go 'Yes you have a keen interest, you have some knowledge and you have some basic skills - can we grow it?"

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