A woman who devoted twenty years to teaching students how to cover seating has been named in the New Year Honours list.

Wendy Shorter-Blake founder of training centre Wendy Shorter Interiors in Colney Heath has been made an MBE for her “tireless work in ensuring her skills are passed onto current and future generations.”

The upholsterer was among three crafts people nominated by the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA) in this year’s list.

The HCA described Mrs Shorter-Blake as a "highly skilled craftswoman" and said she devoted her life to ensuring that the skills of upholstery are passed on.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Wendy and her husband  Steve Blake. Photo: UGC

Mrs Shorter-Blake worked as a personal assistant for twenty years and returned to her love of upholstery and sewing after having her daughter.

After gaining professional qualifications she worked on private commissions and taught advanced upholstery at London Metropolitan University and West Herts College.

In 2006 she was made redundant and set up her own training centre and is currently director of training for the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF).

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Wendy (left) , Anthony Demby, current Master of The Worshipful Company of Upholders of the City of London and Jackie Williams, Junior Warden. Photo: UGC

She said her students practice both modern and traditional upholstery and soft furnishing skills and are “encouraged to use their creativity to stamp their own individual identity into a piece.”

The student’s work is used regularly at various shows and exhibitions around the country.

She has worked with charity Fine Cell Work which offers craft training in prison and ongoing support and training for ex-offenders.