Richard Long wins Fitter of the Year 2024

The grand final of the Fitter of the Year 2024 – Carpet took place at The Flooring Show in Harrogate on the 15 and 16 September.

This year the Fitter of the Year final was without a doubt hard-fought. Judging once again had to be uncompromising and precise as the standard and quality of fitting was so high.  The judges for 2024 were Ian James, Brian King and Richard Renouf.

The five finalists for 2024 were:

•    Darren Ash – Alfrick, Worcestershire
•    Richard Long – Dundee, Angus
•    Joni (Jonathan) Reeves – Skipton, North Yorkshire
•    Steve Whitburn – Torquay, Devon
•    Gareth Williams – Launceston, Cornwall

The competition was won by Richard Long who was supported throughout the final by his wife Ashley.  Richard walked away with a cash prize of £2000 plus a host of vouchers, a selection of tools and equipment kindly donated by our sponsors.  The task for the finalists this year was to fit a patterned, woven carpet to a hallway area with a join, as well as a main staircase up to a landing, which all had to be close covered.  They also had to produce a runner on the back section of staircase. The carpet had to be pattern matched throughout. There was also a double-stick task where the finalists had to insert a border the size of their choice using two colours of carpet.

Richard said of the experience: “Well at the third time of asking I have won the coveted Fitter of the Year competition for Carpet.  My journey started some eight years ago with the NICF and also FITA, where I started with courses to improve my fitting, which in turn helped me to achieve getting my NICF Master Fitter in carpet.  All of that was a sign I was going in the right direction, but the competition is a different animal altogether from day-to-day work and thankfully this year I felt relaxed and really enjoyed it compared to the previous two finals. It has been overwhelming since winning and the prizes from the sponsors are just incredible, I would like to thank them very much for their generosity and their support in making the competition so lucrative.  I would also like to acknowledge Ian, Brian, Richard, Dan and the NICF Admin Team who put in a huge amount of effort to make the competition happen. I would strongly urge anyone who thinks they can do it to give the competition a go, you won’t regret the decision …. thanks everyone, I can now relax and admire my trophy”.

This years "Judges Challenge" was to make a waistcoat out of carpet and the finished items were incredible.  The challenge was won by Steve Whitburn who took away a trophy and a £100 Amazon voucher.  

Joni Reeves who had reached the finals for the first time comments: “I would like to personally thank Ian, Richard, Brian and Dan, and the NICF as a whole for hosting such an epic event.  The whole experience was fantastic and I could not advocate taking part enough. The effort and welcome made by and received from the team was second to none and made the experience one to remember, and one I’m keen to experience again!  Thank you all for your hard work, you’re a credit to the trade, and jolly good folk in general! Thank you!”

The whole two days were live streamed on the UK Flooring TV channel which received over 116000 views.

Ian James had this to say about the 2024 event “I feel this year’s competition was one of the most challenging we have done from a planning aspect and very mentally challenging. For myself as head judge it was a pleasure to be a part of it and I know the other judges feel the same way.  All of the five finalists should be very proud of what they achieved.”

The NICF would like to express their sincere thanks to all of this year’s sponsors, without whom this competition would not be possible, the competitors, the judges and all who help make the event happen.

 

18-09-2024 16:28