In 2003 after 16 years of working in the demolition industry, Matthew Lovell decided it was time to try creating lasting objects instead of open spaces. Having been given his first lathe as a surprise 40^th birthday present by his wife, Matthew attended a 3 day hands on course to learn how to present a piece of steel to a whizzing lump of wood without breaking his wrists. He opened the front room to display his work for Youlgrave Wells Week and was happy to find a lot of interest and sales which persuaded him to devote more time to turning. Matthew creates products in his workshop on site and display them in a dedicated room in the house.  Matthew has embarked on establishing his style which is to present the wood in its best shape to emphasise its grain and highlight its bark, sapwood and heartwood wherever possible ensuring that it can still be identified as a piece of wood. He refuses to use stains and colours and works with as wide a range of woods as possible both exotic and local (all from sustainable sources) to show off the natural beauty of each piece. Many pieces start life with one purpose but their knots and soft and hard patches dictate what the piece finally appears as.

FINDING US– in YOULGRAVE
From the Church. Standing at the base of the tower under the clock, cross Bradford Lane onto the left hand side of Church Street. Having passed the first block of cottages, turn left. Open the 5 bar gate and try Christmas Cottage or the workshop opposite.
If we are in, we are open!

 

With the successful conversion of the street facing lounge into an exhibition and sales room during Youlgrave’s Wells Week ‘04 - an event we now repeat each Wells week, we have now set up a permanent Display for the remainder of the year in the 400 year old section of the cottage accessed from the courtyard. Products are available to view and purchase in the house at all other times in our DISPLAY ROOM.