Update: July 2025
We've decided to make a few changes and have migrated from Substack. Instead we will be using this blog and a simple newsletter for once monthly updates, and ad hoc news. You can visit the website for Chris' story, to book him as a speaker or to get in touch.
Farm Life
Over at the smallholding, we still have nine hens and one cockerel. Between them, the hens are laying 4-5 eggs a day. At some point this year, we will rehome our hens and acquire some new point of lay hens to get back up to full egg production. The chicken run was extended earlier this year and the hens love all the extra space. We have a pair of red legged partridges visiting regularly, and this week, for the first time, a Mum and her three babies found their way into the run.
Last weekend we spent a day wrapping the fruit tree tripods with stock fence wire. Phil the Farmer wants to put some calves or sheep in the orchard fairly soon - once the plums have been harvested. The apple trees are now safe from any hungry mouths.
The polytunnel is full of tomato plants, all ripening nicely. The broccoli was mostly devoured by caterpillars so the hens enjoyed the leftovers. The cauliflower looks like going the same way! But the carrots and potatoes seem to be doing well, and there are courgettes on the way.
Men's Sheds
A few weeks ago we were at the annual UKMSA event, ShedFest. Chris demonstrated throughout the day turning a bowl called Hardwick - which he textured and coloured. It was gifted to a lady from Scotland who spent the entire day watching Chris work. As always ShedFest was an awesome event with Shedders from around the country and supporters of the charity. If you're a member of a Shed and have never been, keep an eye out for next year's date.
We are both involved in the setting up of a new Shed in Ripley. After months of renovation work, we opened our doors to members about four weeks ago.
Chris travelled to Whitby recently with some of the Shed volunteers and visited the Land of Iron Shed where he received VIP treatment and spoke to members about the benefits of making and creating on mental health.
Weekend Escape
In case you missed it, Chris was a guest on Katie Piper's Weekend Escape show. Back in May we spent the day with the production team at a stunning property in Bourne End. Chris was interviewed by Katie and had a male makeover by Michael Douglas, a celebrity hair stylist and partner of Davina McCall. Click the link to watch or search for Episode 8.
Nick Agar
Ever since Chris and I met, I've known of Nick Agar. He was mentioned all the time and was a huge inspiration to Chris. In 2018, not long before Nick relocated to the US, I booked a day's woodturning for Chris with Nick. It was instrumental in Chris beginning to carve and texture his turning, and learning some of Nick's techniques.
Nick got shoutouts at every demo Chris gave. His products were always in use in Chris' workshop. We Facetimed with Nick regularly, and Chris was very grateful for the introductions that Nick made for him.
In the last few months before Nick died, we kept in touch via text. On the day we heard that Nick had died, it floored us both. Chris set up a little display in honour of Nick - one of his signature Viking sunset bowls (that I bought Chris for his 50th birthday), a Viking seax and horn tankard. Everything is still in situ, and reminds us of Nick every day.
Nick had a huge impact on Chris - partly because of their shared Viking heritage but also their passion for woodturning. While I'm not a Woodturner, I admired everything that Nick did and he inspired my photography and my own creativity.
Coming Up
This is a list of some of our forthcoming events, TV and other bookings:
14 August - Money
for Nothing - 14:00, BBC1
19 August - Money for Nothing
(repeat) - 07:15, BBC2
31 August - Henry
Taylor Open Day
15 September - Touch Beyond Vision,
Carveco
27 September - Axminster,
Sittingbourne demo
3 October - U3A,
Ashbourne
11 November - Hemel Hempstead
Woodturners
15 December - Red Rose
Woodturners
Thanks for reading. We'll be back again at the end of August with the next monthly roundup.
Keep on turning!
Nicola, Chris and Bamber