About me

The name of Rare Woods came about from the use of recovered timber, rather than exotic timber. Recovered timber, or the off-cuts from trees nobody else wants,  it tends to offer unique features over pristine cut timber. Finding those trees or logs that have slow grown in a garden or blown over in a storm always present unique challenges to bring out the beauty of the wood. 

Alternatively, rescuing off-cut timber from being sent to landfill, or finding a log in a barn destined to be firewood is a far better use of resources.

Knowing the provenance of the timber I turn, that is the rare part.

I was born in Nottingham and relocated with my parents down to Bristol at the age of 9. I went to sixth form there and university in Plymouth where I met my wife  Libby of 26 years during a poker game (She won and I am an honourable man ;) I have two sons, Sam & Charlie, two dog, named Hiro and Boo Radley, and one cantankerous cat named Schrodinger,

I've always enjoyed making things, right from Lego as a child, through school woodwork, home DIY and as far as building my own workshop. 

I got into turning because my long hours in my day job as a management consultant mean I am behind a desk or in marathon meetings. I needed a hobby that allowed me to get outside, connect with nature and and be creative at the same time. Turning wood has become my passion, my therapy and as my wife says my mistress! If I ever leave her it will be for my workshop...