Secretary, sponsor and creator of the specialist Stick Dressing, Wood Turning and Wood Carving section -

Richard began his interest in hardwoods when he and wife Carol moved to Slaley in the late 70’s. In making renovations to their house Richard found many established softwood suppliers locally but no hardwoods for flooring, beams, lintels and tables. He had a lightbulb moment and thought “Why not do it ourselves?” and set up his early business at the Townhead end of the village behind the former petrol station building a specialist dryer unit.

In time a site became available for rent at Whitley Chapel and eventually the surrounding 12-acre wood was for sale. Hexhamshire Hardwoods was born.

“It’s a bespoke business; nothing is standard issue” explains Richard. "The quantity and variety of unusual timbers on offer these days is outstanding. We’ve heard ofLime, and Pear and obviously Oak but Camel Thorn, Thuya Burn or Zebrano?"

Richard and son Graeme, who joined the business after university, are at heart, environmentalists. The woodland surrounding the work site is occasionally thinned out but only ‘windblows’ are harvested. A long-term replanting scheme has always been in place.

And Richards involvement with Slaley Show? “That all started in 1979” he says. The first shows attracted cabinet maker skilled entries, “We had a memorable ornate fireplace surround arriving from Darlington and a reproduction Georgian cabinet from South Shields!”

"These days the Woodturning, Wood Carving and Sculpture and Dressed sticks entries are much more physically portable yet with the sheer amount of them, they are something of a ‘showstopper’ and take up a fair share of space in the show tent".

Hexhamshire Hardwoods responded to the interest by also specialising in the rare hardwoods for these skills. There is abundance of prepared blanks for woodturning bowls, spindles, and even small blanks for pens. Small hardwood blocks too for wood-prints and natural unusual shapes for carving.

“Over time we’ve built up a tremendous ‘bank’ of exhibitors who are often former skilled engineers from the shipyards, mines and Consett Steel Works and there are many specialist organisations” says Richard.

His knowledge and reputation in running this kind of event has meant he is able to attract very well-regarded judges in these skills, this year Kevin Purdey for Woodturning, Brian Tuckey for the Carving andTom Keers from the Stick Dressing Association. We look forward to seeing yet another impressive display.