14 November 2011
A star shines during Black History Week
Down on Deptford campus, there's a talented artist in the
carpentry workshop. Rannie Williams, who is studying Level 1
Carpentry & Joinery, is a carver of exceptional skill. At an
event for last month's Black History Week, he was drawing admiring
glances as he showed off his talent by carving a parrot out of a
log of wood. Rannie, who carves entirely by freehand, has been
carving since he was 14. "As a kid, my father made furniture. He
used to make chairs, tables and beds," said the Jamaican-born
Hither Green resident. "He'd have scraps of wood lying around, and
I used to carve them with a pen knife."
Black History Week was celebrated with vigour by the Deptford
campus, with bricklayers building a pyramid, plumbers building a
water filtration system and plasterers designing a Moroccan archway
in the McWilliam building. But Rannie was Black History Week's
biggest star.
Rannie has been carving now for 36 years and is interested in
pursuing his carving as a business. "I know people who are
interested, and I'd love to give it a go. I've been talking to
friends and looking for work. Carpentry and carving has me finding
myself doing something and I've been thinking about selling my
carvings at Greenwich Market," Rannie said. It takes him three to
four days to complete a carving and at the College he's carved
several animals, including a crocodile, dolphin and many parrots.
For his tutor, David Herbert, Rannie is undeniably talented. "He's
a true artist," said David.