I first became interested in woodturning when I watched Matthew Calder turning large hollow forms at Yandles show in 1997, and decided I wanted to have a go myself. I had access to a Graduate Lathe via my job as a teacher, so proceeded to turn a birch log into a hollow form.
I made loads of mistakes, but with a good sanding it looked OK and I was hooked!
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My
first turning,
Birch Hollow form 10 x 15 cm |
I learned by reading books on turning and watching Bert Marsh, Phil Irons and Ray Key amongst others, demonstrating at Axminster Power Tools shop in Axminster.
I left full-time teaching in August 2002 to devote more time to woodturning and now I teach part-time and am a part-time wood-turner.
Competition Success
Bronze award at "Tools2002" for turning a natural edge burr.
Silver award at "Tools2003" in the open gallery for a hollow form
Gold award at "Tools2005" in the professional category for a lattice work bowl.
Second prize in the Prestige category at the International woodworking exhibition at Alexandra Palace in Feb 2006 with a lattice work dish.
Third prize in the Prestige category at the International woodworking exhibition at Alexandra Palace in Feb 2007 with a zig-zag bowl.
First prize in the delegates competition at Axminster Power Tools "Strictly Woodturning" event in October 2009 with a laburnum lattice bowl.
Third prize in the Prestige category at "Get Woodworking Live" at the Alexandra Palace in March 2010 with a Bubinga lattice box
First prize in the Felix Levy competition for freestyle turning run by the Worshipful Company of Turners of London in June 2010 with an Ebonised Sycamore Lattice Bowl.
Third prize in the Masters Competition run by the Worshipful Company of Turners of London in June 2010 with a pair of lattice boxes in Holm Oak and Walnut.
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Bronze award winner Maple natural edge vase 25 x 18 cm |
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Silver award winner Holm Oak Burr Hollow Form 30 x 24 cm |
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Gold award winner Pau Amarello Lattice work bowl 27 x 6 cm |
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Second prize winner Sycamore Lattice work dish 32 x 6cm |
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Third prize winner Padauk Zig-zag bowl 47 x 8cm
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First prize winner Laburnum Lattice bowl 22 x 6 cm |
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Third prize winner Bubinga and boxwood Lattice box 16 x 8 cm
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First prize winner Ebonised Sycamore Lattice Bowl. 36 x 6 cm |
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Third prize winner Holm Oak and Walnut Lattice boxes 16 x 8 cm each |
My work can be seen at the following galleries :-
Dansel Craftwork Gallery in Abbotsbury, Dorset
Burford Woodcraft, Burford, Oxfordshire
Somerset Guild of Craftsmen , Courthouse Gallery, Somerton, Somerset