My working life
I grew up surrounded by the the fine craft and handiworks of my parents and have been building my knowledge of the material world ever since.
1999
I left school at 16. From which I gained wide knowledge and skills in woodwork, carving, forging, ceramics, agriculture and textiles.
2000-2001
After a summer as a farm labourer, I entered the C&G Fine Furniture and Cabinetry course at Torquay College, where I developed my skills in designing and making traditional furniture. I made furniture from scratch, with hand tools and then with machines. I learned the basics of woodwork from design to completion. Parallel to this, I was working as a labourer/carpenter on a barn conversion in Modbury, Devon.
2001-2002
In my second year I learned more advanced skills to C&G Level 2. Parallel to this I was working as a part- time carpenter/maintenance assistant to Mark Stephens at the Steiner School, South Devon.
2003
I then ran a joinery and furniture workshop with a friend, where I further developed my skills. I also worked with my neighbour, a reputed joiner Zav Bowden, with whom I made cabinets, kitchens and one off sets of handmade dovetail draws.
2004
I worked with Williams and Partners, a high quality building and church repair firm, where I worked as the sole joiner in the workshop. Here I made intricate windows and barge boards in the Ashprington style (pictures of both are on the website). I took projects from the drawing board to fitting.
After a short time making window shutters in France, I returned to Williams & Partners. As well as doing countless joinery projects, I worked on site, fitting my own work and doing all site carpentry. I helped renovate Berry Pomeroy Church tower and many other listed properties.
2007-2009
I worked as a freelance carpenter/joiner/furniture maker in my own workshop. Notable, amongst my other projects, was a renovation of a 600 year old cottage and the building of a complex glazed extension. In this project which lasted 9 months, I helped the architects (http://ecoarchi.org/ ) to turn his ideas and designs, into physical reality. I built cranked double doors, a curved sweep of vertical glazing and a double glazed roof that curves in two planes. I was an integral part of the design process and managed labourers on site.
I worked with Zav Bowden again, with whom I made state of the art, English oak doors and windows to a very high standard.
2010-2011
I worked with Zav Bowden on a succesful ecobuild project which he designed, We used natural materials and airtightness. I worked as a freelance Carpenter/Joiner and Cabinet maker, I produced one off bespoke pieces, mainly in English Oak. 2011-present I worked on the green retrofit of Dartington village hall for totnes sustainable construction. I have moved into bespoke building, alterations and renovation. Projects include modifications and alterations made to New York style loft apartment In which I built an external terrace out of an internal space and turned a fire station garage into a smart gallery space.
I have just turned an old forge into a living room which included making new window spaces in thick, old stone walls.
Photos of these two projects to follow.
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