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Traditional woodcraft business turns out best...
Robert Sutcliffe A CRAFTSMAN beat off 2,000 hopefuls to win a top award recognising the nation's best traditional businesses.
Robin Wood enjoys an international reputation for his work researching the lost craft of turning bowls on a foot-powered lathe. He has now won the title of Best Traditional Business in a competition organised by the Countryside Alliance and a national newspaper.
The 41-year-old from Edale, Derbyshire, began wood- turning 10 years ago and has since transformed his hobby into a business.
He has published a book, The Wooden Bowl, detailing the history of the craft and has demonstrated it across Europe and the United States.
But he says he is happiest making bowls and plates from local timber for local people to eat from every day.
He said: ''I was very pleased when I heard that I had won. It came as a total surprise. I must have been nominated by one of my customers but I wasn't aware of it.''
His customers have included the Mary Rose Trust, Hampton Court Palace and the Globe Theatre.
He added: "I built the lathe myself and had to forge big iron tools. I learned a lot from Sheffield toolmakers in order to do that.
''It has become increasingly difficult for those of us who want to source timber locally. Local sawmills are now importing French oak so I have to go to woodland owners and tree surgeons to buy trees and cut them up.''
His skills earned him the regional award for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and he will go through to the national final.
Winners will be announced on February 7.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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