THE spirit of the former John Valves site will live on ... through furniture. Ballarat Furniture Company has been scouring the demolished Creswick Road site and has used much of the old wood in the former factory and recreating it as furniture. More than 10 truck loads of timber have been sourced from the site as it nears total demolition and used to create a range of different items. One person who has got a slice of John Valves history is Matthew Aitken, who was at, one stage, a John Valves employee. Mr Aitken worked as an electrician at the site almost 20 years ago and says his interest was sparked when he discovered he could buy furniture that at one stage was integral to the building. He has since bought a table, stereo cabinet, entrance piece and lounge room buffet. "Once I heard the wood was from the old John Valves site it certainly gave me a bit more interest in it," he said. The majority of the wood used is from the pattern shop of the factory, with the most recent timber extractions coming out of the machine shop. "We try and know the history of our wood as best we can," said Ballarat Furniture Company owner Bill Price. "It's good to know you are re-birthing it and giving it another life in a way." Mr Price said he often sourced wood from old buildings in the area and hoped to continue doing so in the future. Follow @PatNolan24