Who is Wooden Tom?

As a way of avoiding the streets of Northern England growing up I found myself at every opportunity escaping the urban jungle and heading for the woods. I would make camps and whittle sticks with borrowed tools from my carpenter grandfather.  This all undoubtedly was the start of my addiction! Ever since, I sought to expand my knowledge by learning from experts in the field but mainly from lots and lots of mistakes!  In 2010 a job brought me to the Scottish Highlands working with the forestry commission where i fell in love with the Cairngorms.  One of the defining features in this area are the clean white stems of the Birch trees, and it is with these trees i have my closest connection with carving.  I use the wood for making various kitchen utensils although my main passion is making drinking vessels.