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Jonathan Tetley, working as part of the Tetley Workshop, visited Brodsworth Hall several times in 2017 in order to assess, evaluate and carry out treatment on a superfine, hand-knotted Axminster carpet.
Jonathan carried out an inspection of the carpet, considering current condition, previous treatment history, the expectations of the client and the restrictions of budget and working in an historic space in front of the public. Jonathan reported his findings verbally to the client in a clear manner. He allayed my concerns about how the carpet would be dried and any impact the moisture generated by a washing process might have on an historic space with gilding, silk wall hangings etc. by referencing his previous experience.
Jonathan’s communication throughout this project was consistent and clear. He discussed the carpet and its treatment with myself and the curator in terms which we could understand. He instructed the team clearly and calmly when handling the carpet and whilst demonstrating the extraction process.
Jonathan talked with visitors directly, explaining what they could see and showing them samples of extracted water. He also met with a journalist from a local newspaper and was photographed for an article focussing on the carpet.
Caroline Rawson
Collections Conservator
English Heritage
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The ends of my favourite rug were beginning to come loose. They have now been expertly anchored so are safe for the rest of my life. But, more important in some ways, is the effect of the cleaning! The pile is now lustrous – no other word for it – and minus what must have been a shedload of grit, it just feels and looks completely different. I’m thrilled to bits. Good fun talking rugs with Jonathan, too.
Elizabeth Forbes
Tisbury
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I have known Jonathan for over twenty years. He has a passion for conservation and a methodical and thorough approach, ensuring communication is clear between the client and any decisions are ethical, valid and to the highest standard professional standard.
Jonathan’s work is always of the highest standard: he provides balanced, thoughtful and expert conservation advice. (His) approach is pragmatic and solutions-focussed, delivering a positive result on conservation as well as respecting the needs of other disciplines, such as operational or curatorial considerations. Jonathan manages projects efficiently, showing great team-working skills, is always timely and helpful in his advice and actions, and is a very supportive and collaborative conservator. During a recent project we worked on together, he skilfully managed a team of 10 contractors to install a large and fragile carpet with great results and within budget.
He continues to enhance his knowledge and skills by keeping up to date with conservation techniques both in preventive and interventive methods.
Sally Johnson
Preventative Conservator
English Heritage
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Whether it’s cleaning a Moroccan kilim or removing grease stains from a silk chaise longue, Jonathan is a real professional expert, very knowledgeable and reasonably priced. Highly recommended.
Jill Preston
Tisbury
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Jonathan Tetley was knowledgeable, professional and personable. His communication during the progress of the work was excellent – this being a failing of many businesses. Jonathan set out clearly the repair options and made a sensible recommendation which took into account the value of the carpet and our budget considerations, in other words he did not try to oversell his services. A good job done and, based on our experience, I would have no hesitation in recommending his company.
Andrew Boys
Alvediston
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We used Jonathan to clean and repair a large runner which we’d inherited. He did a fantastic job and was reassuringly authoritative on the subject. Very efficient too. Clearly knows his stuff and we recommend him highly.
Justin & Caroline Marking
Tisbury
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In January 2020, Jonathan started work on a very large and unique carpet indeed, which measures 12m x 23m (40ft x 80ft). The brief for the project was to safely remove the carpet from the chamber in which it lies, within the walls of a well-known castle in Royal Berkshire, in order to facilitate roofing works in the room.
There were many things to consider, not least the carpet’s condition, stabilisation of known tears, its safe removal using in-house staff and other contractors and its subsequent storage.
Feedback, whilst not allowed to be repeated directly here, was hugely positive.
Jonathan “delivered leadership”. He “clearly explained” processes” and “worked in a calm manner with the team to deliver the moves”.
He was described as: “clear, flexible, accommodating, and open to ideas and discussions, working collaboratively with another contractor, making a very smooth and professional operation.”
The project was successfully completed, despite numerous added difficulties arising because the Covid situation, in May 2020.
Name withheld
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I had a much-abused rug which had been sitting in a busy hallway for many years and which needed a very thorough clean. Jonathan did a super job, taking it to his workshop and removing years of built-up ghastliness so that it was back to its former glory, with a wonderful texture and its depth of colour returned. I’d recommend him highly.
Liisa Steele
Hindon
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We have been very pleased with the conservation work undertaken to our 18th drawing room carpet and other carpets which are used in a historic house setting. The work has always been carried out to the highest standard in an efficient way.
Thomas Methuen-Campbell