Features

Albert Lain set up Mendlesham Chairs in the mid-1960s following a lifetime of working with wood. He also taught woodwork, metalwork and other craft subjects at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. A team of four is employed in Mendlesham and they knock-out around a hundred Mendleshams a year ranging in price from £600 for a side chair (no arms) to £2000 for a carver (with arms). The Queen's carver, which is a gift from the company, would normally retail for around £1700.

Materials and skills

The frame of the Mendlesham is made from cherry tree wood while the seat is elm. None of the wood from the Queen's chair is from local sources, but the company does use fruitwoods from Suffolk including pear tree, apple tree and walnut tree.

One of the team at Mendlesham is a student and Albert says they're trying to keep traditional craftsmanship alive "Working here you learn the full range of skills - planning, rough woodwork, steam-bending, woodturning, veneering, hand carving and French polishing."

Clients in Suffolk include Philip Hope-Cobbold (of Glemham Hall and Ipswich Town FC) and media couple Paul Heiney and Libby Purves. BBC Radio Suffolk's lunchtime presenter Lesley Dolphin got to try one out when Albert was her studio guest.

St.Edmundsbury cathedral

The Mendlesham chair which Prince Charles sat on during the opening ceremony for the Millennium Tower in Bury St.Edmunds is up for grabs this spring. Tickets are available for a prize draw which will take place on St.George's Day - 23rd April. Money raised will go to the cathedral's ongoing Millennium Appeal and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute.

Southwold

Before it's sent on as a present, the Queen's Mendlesham will be on display at the Top Crafts fayre on Southwold Pier this Easter (14th-16th April). Albert Lain insists the wooden chair is comfortable and you won't get hot, cross buns "They can be used as decorative chairs, in the kitchen and also for relaxation. We have had customers say they've fallen asleep on them while watching television. The beauty of a carved wooden seat is that you can move around on it, whereas a soft seat moulds itself around you keeps you in one position."