Come and visit me at my open studio
The studio and workshop
For the first two weeks in September, I will be opening my doors to the public and holding my very first open studio! You will be able to see me busy in my workshop, examine my latest work and enjoy some home made refreshments in a very relaxing environment!
If you have ever wondered how a natural edge bowl is produced, how the wood is finished or you are looking to commission something special and would like advice, this could be the perfect opportunity to answer any questions you’ve been wanting to ask. I will be demonstrating the whole process of woodturning, from chainsawing chunks of wood (the noisy bit!), to rough turning, final turning and finishing. You can have a look through my wood store and maybe find a piece you would like turned into a bowl!
Throughout the two week period, you’ll be welcome to browse through a large selection of my latest pieces of work on display in my showroom and throughout the house. You’ll be able to pick up a huge burr and feel its gnarly spikes! All of the work featured on my website will be on show, as well as some rather special pieces - but I’m keeping those secret for now! Please bear in mind that my website prices include delivery, so a 10% saving can be made on all items which are currently featured.
No event is complete without refreshments – and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! For a small charge, there will be tea, coffee and a selection of homemade cakes. Proceeds will be split between the Air Ambulance and Knoxwood Wildlife Trust.
Just some of the pieces that you will be able to see
The workshop and wood shed
Neighboring artists participating in C-Art
My open studio is part of Cumbria's C-Art event with more artists displaying their work nearby. You may wish to see some other local makers, such as Ben Fosker, a potter based near Bowness-on-Solway. Ben produces a selection of stoneware using both thrown and hand building techniques and incorporates local materials into his glazes. Jenny Abbot is an artist based near Port Carlisle and produces realistic and abstract pieces in oil, acrylic and water colour.
For more details on the C-Art event you can visit the website. This includes details of all 130 plus exhibitors.
Places of interest in the surrounding area
We are situated between the Lake District foothills and the Solway coast, with many places of interest to visit nearby. The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding National Beauty is famous for its rich and varied wildlife and stunning views across the estuary towards Scotland. The local village of Bowness-on-Solway is the start/end of the National Trail Path of Hadrian’s Wall, a fantastic walk crossing England at its narrowest. Why not combine your visit with a walk and have lunch at one of the local pubs? There is also a small cafe in Bowness-on-Solway which is open during the afternoons.
Left to right: Start of Hadrians Wall National Trail; Views from Bowness-on-Solway and Hadrians Wall. Please note the best preserved sections of the wall can be found east of Carlisle.
Travel directions
From the M6;
Leave the motorway at junction 44 (Carlisle north) and head for Workington along the new bypass. Continue along this road until you reach the roundabout sign posted Kirkbride. This is the seventh roundabout from the motorway. Turn right for Kirkbride and stay on this road until you reach Fingland village (8 miles) - you will pass through Moorhouse, Thurstonfield and Kirkbampton. We are on the left hand side about half a mile further on from Fingland, but before Kirkbride - look out for a green oak porch and stone wall!
Heading from the Lake District;
From the A66, head towards the main roundabout at Keswick. Take the turn off sign posted Bothel and Carlisle and follow this road for about 12 miles until it terminates at a T junction. Turn right onto the A595 and head down the hill towards Carlisle. Take the first left hand turn for Wigton in about 8 miles. This is at the Red Dial crossroads, just past the Sun Inn. Follow this road until it terminates at the monument in the center of Wigton. Turn right at this T junction and then left towards Kirkbride, a few meters down the road. You should then pass Wigton railway station, just before this road terminates at the bypass.
From Wigton, turn right onto the bypass (A596) and then left almost straight away (sign posted Kirkbride). Head along this road (B5307) and follow signs to Kirkbride. Greenspot is aprox 1.5 miles after Kirkbride, but before Fingland. We are on the right hand side. Look out for our outside staircase, stone wall and green oak porch!
If you prefer to use a sat nav, then my post code is CA7 5EH or you may want to see this google map.
