Voewood

It’s been a privilege to be working at Voewood House over the last few weeks, constructing four garden arches for the sunken formal-garden. The finials were made from a red stoneware and inlaid with geometric patterns drawn from the architectural details of this fine Arts and Crafts house. The house Read more…

Ash Gates

At last, they are finished and in place. These ash gates are based (loosely) on the traditional gate-hurdle with draw peg joints for the stiles and bars. As a contemporary twist (literally) I’ve included adjustable anti-sag cables with turnscrews – just in case someone fancies gate-swinging…please don’t!

Letter Cutting

There’s no better discipline for refining woodworking skills than letter cutting. I’ve been practising the craft (or is it art?) for many years now, but I’m still learning. However, it has so much more to offer than the finished plaque or sign: You learn to keep the cutting tools razor-sharp, Read more…

The Edge Effect

‘Where two ecosystems are linked by a transitional area and the number of species and the population density are greater than either of the adjacent communities’. In the last few weeks, It has become increasingly apparent that the transitional areas at the margins of the wood are, by far, the Read more…

Tawny Owlet

Just managed to catch this charming little owlet before it popped back into the nest box. She looks ready for branching, so will be soon scrabbling about in the trees close by. I’m not sure if there are any brothers and sisters, but anytime soon we’ll know for sure, as Read more…

Reed Sculpture at Hickling

A lovely spring day at Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Reserve. We started the day practising knots and learning how to handle and grade Norfolk reed. This was followed up by some very impressive sculptural constructions. It still surprises me how a bundle of reeds and a ball of jute string Read more…