At the time of my Fellowship, I was teaching in a community school. My Fellowship involved making toys and equipment for disabled children. Soon after that I set up my own woodcraft business called Burnt Offerings. This was a revival of a very old traditional craft, pyrography, which involves burning designs on to mainly wood and leather. I could be seen at many prestige wood and craft shows, demonstrating and running hands-on workshops.

I was invited to some interesting places to show and teach pyrography – the USA, Germany, Belgium – and I ended up teaching in the Falklands. One of the highlights of my new career was demonstrating on the Norwegian Woodturning Cruise, sailing up and down the fjords for two weeks.

I teach adults in my workshop in south Derbyshire. I have written a book for beginners and released a DVD. One of the main benefits of my craft is to inspire adults and children with my workshops in schools, and Scouts and Guides at jamborees. The Fellowship has given me the confidence to go out into the community and abroad to inspire and develop creative skills. Anyone interested please contact me.