Who I am

After a 30-year career as a solicitor with a large international firm, I was ready for a complete change.  I had always appreciated the natural beauty of wood and the craftsmanship involved in the making of fine furniture; so (after attending a couple of short courses to test my enthusiasm) this is what I decided to pursue.

Fortunately my wife Penny was immensely supportive.  Our children were all but grown up and we both felt that the time was right for a new chapter in our lives.  I built a workshop in our garden in the heart of the Surrey Hills and equipped it with a full range of woodworking tools and machinery.

I attended a one-year course on furniture making with John Lloyd in Sussex.  This was followed by a further three-month course with John on furniture restoration.

The time spent with John was a revelation.  He managed to convey his immense knowledge and experience with patience, encouragement and endless good humour.  With John I learnt the importance of precision and attention to detail.  I also began to develop my own thoughts on form and function when it comes to design.