Good with wood

Toy-makers, wood-turners and lovespoon-carvers are taking over the Great Glasshouse and Marquee for a weekend of demonstrations and displays at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire.

The Garden’s Woodcraft Weekend takes place next Saturday and Sunday, January 19-20 – and admission is just £2 for adults and free for kids.

Organiser (and exhibitor) Les Bryan said there will be lots to interest visitors: “It is a real treat to see some of the UK’s top carvers and turners in action. Last year’s woodcraft weekend was hugely popular and we expect this to be even bigger. Families might also like to know that international pyrography artist Bob Neill will be demonstrating and running children’s workshops this year.”

In terms of trade stands, Robert Sorby, Trend, and Turners’ Retreat will be selling their wares and will also be on hand to demonstrate their equipment and answer any questions visitors may have.

The weekend’s other demonstrations include: Ashley Iles (talks on tools sharpening); Hamilton Baverstock (material cutting specialists. Band saw blades etc); Simon Hope (woodturning demos and tool design); Mark Raby (demonstrations on wood colouring and design); Les Bryan (woodturning demonstrations); Bob Neill (international pyrography artist will demonstrate and run children’s workshops); and British Woodcarvers’ Association and Carmarthenshire and Glamorganshire wood turning clubs.

Other highlights include: pyrography artist, Lisa Raby; Isca timber – giving talks on timber and their uses; D G Heath (timber Products); and Martin Pigeon (timber merchant).

For more information about thisand other Garden events, go www.gardenofwales.org.uk, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or call 01558 667149.