How did YewTurn come to be?
Woodie tells the story, in his own words:

 

I learnt my trade in Germany, then came home to Wales
The offspring of a Welsh father and German mother, I was brought up in Wales and then lived in Germany for many years, having, at that time, more family over there than here. Germany is where I started my toil as a builder of houses, and wooed Fraulein Elke and convinced her to become my wife. I found that name to be too much for my tongue and presented her with the nickname "F.E.", which quickly became Effie, which is how she is known to friends and family now. A child was born to us and we named him Jason.

Building was a worthy way to spend one's hours I thought; with honest work, hard and rewarding, both financially and aesthetically. I soon found out that it was also back-breaking work, and after I needed two operations within six years in my lumbar region, we took a step back to contemplate our future.

I had always loved my Wales, and heard it calling to me on many occasions. Our holidays there lasted months, rather than weeks. We decided to make a big leap - leave Germany and try out a new life in sunny Wales.

I knew my trade as a builder would be tried and tested in this land of mine so I prepared to meet the challenge as best I could. Having learned my trade in Germany would serve me well: I had the German attitude to work - I was used to working long hours, speedy and competent. Their tools were also somewhat different so I purchased a large range of German building tools to take with me. While doing so, I spotted an inexpensive woodturning lathe at one of the many tool shops I visited. I was thinking if I purchased it, it would be a nice hobby to partake of in quiet times. Turning had always fascinated me; the way things go around and take shape. If it wasn't that, I think I would have tried pottery, throwing clay, and made a mighty mess.

Now armed to the teeth, I was ready to conquer the Welsh people and their old fashioned ways that I knew from my youth, hopeful that my training in Deutschland would win them over. At first, everything went well. Plenty of old friends gave word that "there's a new kid in town." Folks called me up to try me out. My speed and agility were still there, the new ways, and my willingness to labour at any hour of the day or night, meant my business soon took root and bloomed.

 

…but things were tough in Britain
Sadly, the government of the time, in its upside-down wisdom, decided it was time for the UK to have a major recession. We had enjoyed the bloom, now it was time for the doom. Money became an invisible resource. Banks called in their loans. A wild poker game ensued. Many lost their homes, businesses and indeed, some their lives. A great lull in life had come. Belt tightening, was, to say the least, in! The folks that I had worked for had suddenly run out of money. So as dominoes fall, I also hit mother earth with a big bang! I couldn't force the poor people to pay me for my work. I WAS one of the poor people. So hungry days were on the menu. Indeed, one Christmas, we all went to my sister's home, where everything was pooled to make the festival of giving a happy one for all; the kids especially.

 

No U-Turn - try Yew-Turn!
Now with time on my hands, I bolted my lathe together (it had been packed in a trunk, never used). The Iron Lady was not for turning, but perhaps I'd have better luck with wood.

My garage, insulated, was warm and snug. A workshop was born. I basically locked myself in there. I used the time-tried method of learning. By mistakes! And jeez did I make enough. It is a wonder, I deem, that I have a head or fingers left! After two years of making hamster bedding and signing on once weekly at the employment exchange (well, the kids had to eat huh?), I finally made a candlestick, which people (friends and family, at least!) said was worth selling. Pleased as punch, I booked a little table at a car boot sale, at a cost of £2.50. I stood there like a prat behind my wares, shouting lewd remarks at the ladies and girlies that walked by. You've guessed it: I went home with nothing; not even my pride. Back to the proverbial drawing-board.

Another year passed, my design was perfected, and this time the correct holes were drilled for candle sizes! I was getting there.

 

The turning point
The turning point in my fortunes came when a new shop selling candles opened in town. With hearts thumping, Effie and I entered this retailer of light, intent on offering them our wares, hoping against hope, but expecting yet another knockback. We spread my vessels on the carpet, smiled, waited nervously. After what seemed an eternity, I heard, over the noisy beat of my heart, the words "How nice!" and saw the smile returned.

Prices were agreed, cash thrust in my hand, and as we stumbled from the shop in euphoria I finally realised: Wow... I'm a WOODTURNER!

As easy as that!? Well no, it was not... that was just the beginning. After this happy response, the real work began. To find suitable wood, for example. Some people think it grows on trees! A very expensive material to buy. Cheapness only comes when one buys a tree, cuts it down, and then waits 2 to 3 years for it to season. Hard work, and even harder for the soul to wait so long. Impatience... always a good friend of mine.

Eventually, though, the problems were overcome, and soon craft fairs and county shows were booked; school fêtes and fun events. Experience ever so painstakingly collected, but worth a fortune in time's eyes. A great deal of Effie's and my time is now spent preparing for shows and festivals throughout the year (see Shows & Shops page) where we both demonstrate while also selling our wares. Somewhere along the way we managed to produce a second son, Joshua, which is just as well because we rely a great deal on his assistance, now that first-born Jason has escaped to University.

I began demonstrating as I sell because it gives me so much pleasure. I love to watch the eyes of the people, especially the kids, so awe-struck as they see a bit of branch being transformed into an everyday object. The ribbons of shavings fly into the sky, only to land there, at their feet. (I can aim better now!) I enjoy telling them that in the workshop, there's a wall where the shavings hit. And that on that wall, at just the right height, is a picture of my mother-in-law! It never fails to get a laugh.

 

Co-operatives: craftsmen can be businessmen too
My life is now made a lot easier by the shops. Co-ops were started by many crafters as we discovered we all shared similar difficulties such as the expenses at the organised craft shows. So we formed a group to talk over our problems and how to make it better. We started hiring halls and galleries ourselves and doing our own shows. Cutting out the middle man, we made some profit as a group. We saved the money to lease a shop in the Brecon town centre so that we could organise ourselves into a viable craft business. We worked hard to get it up and running, with limited funds and resources, but sheer determination got us through. We did what we did best, some administration, some manual work, and now have an established shop known as "BEACONS CRAFTS".

A year later, a big stone barn, 650 years old, came up for lease. The roof looked good and the timbers were of oak and elm, and sound as a pound. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work again and "THE COURT CUPBOARD" was born. Lots of building work, dust and sweat has produced a beautiful gallery, with cafe and craft workshops, all run the same way as the other. We have visitors from all over the world.

The foundation and goals of our groups are to produce, show, and sell wares made in the surrounding area. This has been broadened to setting free one of the gallery's walls for guest artists or crafters. It works very well, and we have had write-ups in our newspapers. So we are very proud indeed.