Andrew Hall:
Woodworker, Woodturner and Wood Hat Milliner

Born in 1961 I have had a passion for working with wood from the age of seven when I disappeared into the yard shed and produced a pair of table tennis bats from an old table top, a hack saw and some sandpaper.

I continued my love for woodworking whilst serving a five year apprenticeship with Blue Circle Industries at Weardale .

At the age of 22 I had the opportunity to teach apprentices at three colleges in the North East of England enjoying both teaching and running my own business making and fitting bespoke kitchens and wardrobes.

My first influence in woodturning was at the age of 14 when the woodwork teacher then an evolutionary man gave freely of his time evenings to educate three very keen students in woodworking, furniture making and woodturning. To this day we have remained in touch and have all carved our careers in wood associated business.

Over the last six years I have had the opportunity to practice the craft of woodturning on a daily basis. I specialise in making full size wood hats known a gallon and three other sizes quart, pint and gill, I turn conventional bowls, natural edged vessels and staircase spindles.

I teach small groups of a maximum of three in my workshop both woodturning and woodworking and when time allows I love to turn one off pieces of artistic woodturning.

I supply a small amount of exclusive galleries pieces of work and manufacture bespoke furniture made to the customers requirements.

I also demonstrate the craft of woodturning to woodturning clubs, craft fairs, country fairs, women’s institute groups, arts centres and countryside agency groups.

I am the founder and chairman of Wear Valley Woodturners and write articles for woodturning magazines.