I have always been interested in woodworking although most of my life I have been working with wood or plastic.

I started work at the age of 15 years old as an engineering apprentice at a large Company that manufactured Aircraft Simulators, for training pilots. During my 5 years I received a thorough training in milling, turning, grinding, gear-cutting, engraving and toolmaking, plus lots of hand fitting.

On completion of my apprenticeship I was called to serve 2 years National Service with the army and stationed in the West Indies (some people have all the luck). When I returned to work I became involved with apprentice training and I took a post as a training instructor at a large engineering industrial training centre. Here apprentices were instructed in all forms of basic machining and industrial practices.

After 3 years I tired of repetitive teaching and returned to manufacturing. During the next 25 years i worked for various engineering companies producing a great variety of products and so acquired many skills.

In the mid 1980's changes were happening fast with the introduction of computer controlled machinery. This may be progress but it's not for me and so I decided to leave engineering. Even now I have no interest in computers of I.T. I am very much a hands-on person, I've manage to survive for 72 years without them and shall not change now.

The last 10 years of my working life was a complete change. I was always involved with D.I.Y. at home and so decided to make a living at this. With my son to assist me I set up a small home & garden maintenance business which ran until I retired in 2001.

My introduction to stickmaking began when I visited Wembley Woodworking show and enrolled on a weekend stickmaking course in West Sussex and I also joined the B.S.G. Later I decided to learn woodcarving and enrolled on a course of adult education. A couple of years later I became the tutor for this course which I ran for 9 years, 3 nights a week. Many of the class members became friends and helped in the formation of the Hants & Dorset Stickmakers.

As there were not any stickmakers groups in the South I decided to try to form a local group and in 2004 H & D was born. The year 2007 I moved to West Dorset gut still take an active part in the club activities. I also belong to the Martock Woodturners and have become a member of Mosterten Marquetry group.

This year I have entered some sticks at Broadtown, Devon County and West Sussex shows where I was happy to receive good results.

Apart from walking sticks I produce some turned items, marquetry panels, jewelry boxes and wooden puzzles (not jigsaws) which I sell at craft fairs. I also make items to order so why not give me a ring on 01308 863060

(needless to say I haven't got an email address or a website)