Blog
Out on Lastingham Knoll
If I walk a few hundred yards of steep hill out of Lastingham village, I’m on the moor. A track leads out along Lastingham Ridge with spectacular views over Spaunton Moor, all of which is part of the greater North York Moors. I wanted to clear my head, and the air up here is […]
Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens – exhibition
Chips are flying and new sculpture is taking shape. The weeks before an exhibition are always exciting – even if there’s a bit of a frenzy in the workshop getting sculpture finished on time. Nothing like an exhibition deadline to galvanise arms into action and focus the mind. This is Bird in a Tree […]
Preliminary sketches for sculpture
Sculpture often begins with drawings. These quick, scratchy sketches help to clarify the pose, rythm and feel I would like in my sculpture. Also, in looking closely at the bird, to draw it, I learn exactly how it is made up – how it holds its wings, how the feathers lie, what happens […]
Stone carvings at West Tanfield
There stood a little tower, with a very pretty oriel window of six lights with tracery and a pyramidal stone roof, beckoning me to explore. The 15th Century, three storey gatehouse is known as The Marmion Tower and is presumed part of a no longer existing manor house which stood close to the banks […]
Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows
About this time last year I was planning my week long trip to Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows. Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows lies at the heart of the Nene Valley, one of the most important wetlands in England and an internationally important stop-over for thousands of wildfowl and waders. Bordering the River Nene, the marsh […]
The Sun is High
Happy Summer Solstice There’s lots of talk about the Strawberry Moon this year on our longest day – but I’m happy with late evening sun and a Barn Owl flying overhead.
A frenzy of fledglings
It is so busy at the workshop just now with birds free from sitting on nests frantically attempting to manage their broods, fresh fledged and wide-eyed. My pair of blue-tits, who nested in the corner of my shed, encourage their young with constant calls and example flights upwards. One baby took its first flight […]
Hammer easy in my hand
Weight. Balance. Rhythm. Sound. Handle smooth and comfortable from wear. Hammer easy in my hand.
Scramble and Tumble
Plants have personalities don’t they – this one seems to love stone and has gorgeous habits when the two are combined. The little Bellflower (it takes its name from its bell-shaped flowers) loves to clamber over, up and between. It looks wonderful scrambling between pavings or climbing up a wall, or tumbling over the […]
Dry Stone Wall Maze
The Dry Stone Wall Maze will be situated at the heart of Dalby Forest. The four outer most walls of the maze will measure eighty metres in length each and the walls will stand six feet two inches high. Visitors will follow a short path through the forest to the maze. The entrance into […]