So who are we?

Manorhouse was set up and is operated by Jan Dyson, a City and Guilds qualified upholsterer with extensive experience of upholstery and soft furnishing projects in the Huddersfield area. In 2017 Jan set up Manorhouse after the local college, at which Jan was teaching, removed funding for adult education, including Upholstery courses. In late 2017 the current workshop was created by converting a large garage into a purpose built upholstery training centre for up to 10 students. And in 2025 over 70 students per week attend regular upholstery courses with weekend and other short courses operating throughout the year. 2021 saw the launch of the Modern Upholstery Course, taking the opportunities for students to the next level.

Jan is supported by her son Alex who achieved a distinction in his level 2 apprenticeship in November 2023 and who teaches the Modern Upholstery course, as well as working on projects and supporting Jan on the recreational classes. Vicky, a former student at Manorhouse, occasionally works alongside Alex to teach the Modern Upholstery course and footstool courses. Anne makes up the 4th member of the team and teaches the footstool courses.

And we can’t talk about Manorhouse without mentioning Angela who taught alongside Jan at the college and also helped when setting up Manorhouse. She retired from teaching upholstery in 2020 but still attends classes and works on her own projects.