After thirty years as a Chemistry teacher I have been working as a woodturner since 1993. My interest in music has meant that I have made several baroque and classical members of the Oboe family and also have developed two styles of music stand.
I make a wide variety of bowls, platters and hollow forms mainly, but not exclusively, using timber grown in Britain. I like to exploit the natural properties of the timber to make shapes which show grain patterns and distortion to the best effect.
Also I use the ebonizing effect of iron on the tannin in some woods to give striking contrasts in colour and connecting surfaces. I use weak colour washes to enhance the grain pattern of some timbers which are otherwise bland and to bring out the grain in beautiful wood like burr field-maple.
I enjoy teaching woodturning to others who share the fascination of getting the best out of wood and give two or three day courses, on a one-to-one basis (or if preferred, to couples).
I was proud to win 2nd prize in the open turning competition of the Worshipful Company of Turners in 2002. The subject being ‘a condiment set for a banqueting hall’. My piece was made of ebony with boxwood spoons and mustard pot insert and set on a tray of burr red Mallee.
