Bowls & Platters » Find a Turner

Before retiring, Roger was the Rector of Greyfriars, Kirkcudbright and St. Mary’s Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries & Galloway so woodturning had to be squeezed into a fairly busy schedule.

Working with wood has always been an interest for Roger, something he inherited from his father.

For many years he concentrated on antique furniture restoration after studying under Barry Honeybone, a well-known furniture restorer in Herefordshire.

Some twenty years ago he became interested in woodturning after turning some small bun feet for a chest of drawers, but it’s an area which he now loves and spend most of his time doing.

When he first started turning he had lessons from world renowned turner Jimmy Clewes, learning the basics and then going on to look at hollowing. Since then, he has had lessons from Tracy Owen and Nikos Siragas in Crete where he concentrated on woodturning that incorporated carving.

Currently he is concentrating on making bowls, hollow vessels and what might be termed “wood art”, incorporating differing techniques by carving or using metal, and different woods; colour work also has a place.

The focus of his work is always the wood and shaping it in a way that will bring out its natural beauty.

The majority of his work is done using local wood,

 Each piece of wood is always different, and the results are always a revelation and very tactile.

It’s a very addictive art form.

Roger is a member of the Galloway Woodturners and is Chairman of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain