UWTSD Stained Glass Apprentice Named Finalist in National Heritage Crafts Awards

A University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) stained glass apprentice has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award celebrating excellence in traditional heritage crafts.

Toby Britton-Watts, a stained glass maker and apprentice at UWTSD, has been named a finalist in the Trainee of the Year category at the 2026 Heritage Crafts Awards. The awards recognise outstanding achievement in traditional craft skills across the UK and are supported by a range of organisations including the King Charles III Charitable Fund, The Royal Mint, the Goldsmiths’ Company, and the Marsh Charitable Trust.

The finalists were announced following a strong year of high-quality nominations. Winners will be revealed at a prestigious reception at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on 23 November 2026, supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation and the Goldsmiths’ Company.

Heritage Crafts is the national charity for traditional heritage crafts and works to support and safeguard endangered craft skills across the UK. The organisation is a UNESCO-accredited NGO for Intangible Cultural Heritage and an official Community Support Hub for the UK Government’s Living Heritage inventory.

Toby joined Holy Well Glass, based in Wells, Somerset, in 2023. After completing a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, he spent 18 months gaining hands-on experience under the tutelage of stained glass artist Amanda Blair, while also teaching art before embarking on his apprenticeship.

Holy Well Glass has three working ICON accredited conservators and employs two apprentices with UWTSD. The company is renowned for its conservation work on stained glass from medieval to modern periods. The company’s projects include major heritage sites such as St George’s Chapel (Windsor Castle), King’s College Cambridge, and Winchester Cathedral.

Chris Ryan, UWTSD’s Stained Glass Apprenticeship Liaison Officer said: “Stained glass is a highly demanding craft that involves a range of skills and processes and an understanding of context, history, materials and design. Toby has been able to apply himself equally to all aspects and I’m sure Toby is an asset to the Holy Well Glass team. He has been an exemplary apprentice setting a very high standard for the future, not just through demonstration of skills but his understanding and appreciation of the art and craft of stained glass.

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071