LOCAL WOODTURNER WINS OBJECTIVE ONE FUNDING

Robert Blackburn, the highly talented woodturner, has been awarded an Objective One grant by Working Woodlands to help him convert and equip a redundant outbuilding at his home at Tregoss Manor in mid Cornwall, into a workshop.

Robert used to work as landscape gardener. In his spare time he turned wood, displaying his work at various galleries and exhibitions in Cornwall and Devon. Orders and commissions followed and Robert decided to become a full-time woodturner. His wife, Lesley a former teacher and herself a woodcarver decided to join him. Both are now very busy, working to supply local galleries in Devon and Cornwall, the Eden Project, Heligan Gardens and most recently a gallery in the USA.

Robert produces a wide range of exquisite articles, decorated with textures, carvings and finishes that allow the natural beauty of the woods they use speak for themselves.

Robert fits well into the Working Woodlands Project since he acquires all of his raw materials from the locality.

Robert is one of the first to be awarded a grant from Working Woodlands. This European and UK government-funded Project is offering grants and support to businesses that grow wood, work with wood or sell wood or wood products in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

For further information contact: Caroline Harrison, Working Woodlands Holdings Ltd. Tel: 01803 867891 or, Robert Blackburn Tel: 01726 891267