Welcome to Valewoodturner

Craftsmanship has been a tradition in my family for over 200 years.

Not only do I turn wood on a lathe to produce a range of products, but I am also a skilled Pyrography artist. I currently do this as a hobby, however I am now expanding this to become a business and a charitable organisation, primarily serving the Forest of Marston Vale area in Bedfordshire. The business will see the production and sale of local crafts, Interactive workshops and in the future, Sensory rooms and will promote the importance of conservation of the world that we live in while raising money to help expand my project further in the future.

I am currently in the process of seeking out and securing a suitable venue where I can construct a workshop with a small shop - customers of the shop will be able to see me and other craftspersons in action through a viewing window, opening their eyes to what goes into the production of the items that they can see in the shop itself. In time I would like to expand this further to include a cafe with additional facilities for disabled children and adults through sensory rooms. I will also be introducing interactive workshops where the users of the facility can get involved and learn how to make items for themselves under expert guidance and supervision. This will prove popular with people of all ages including the disabled, disadvantaged, school children and private parties. The popularity could lead to short courses with a view to promote woodcraft and the charity.

An Ecological future

The future of British hand-made crafts is in the next generation; if we are unable to pass these skills down they will be lost forever. I am promoting this as well as education on conversation, recycling and reusing (every single item is produced from 100% recycled materials which have been saved from incineration). The project and the venue will be 100% sustainable and will one day be completely self-sufficient; I am investigating the options with regard to many different kinds of renewable energy sources with regard to heating, lighting, powering the machines and water supply.

Myself and my backing

This project has the backing of the Royal British Legion, who are acting as a Mentor for me as this is my first business venture of this type. I have previously served as a Soldier and I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as Depression. I have been support not only by the RBL but Mind and various other charitable organisations who I would love to contribute to as the work that they carry out is incredible. The project is not only aimed at helping those who have helped me, but to give the community of Marston Vale a charitable project that they can get involved with and hold dear to them. This also gives me the chance to help myself into recovery; by doing something that I love and that I am passionate about.

What we need to get the ball rolling.

Comunications and technology​

We need a pc to start one for the office set up with a permanent link to the internet and all the business programs I need to start up a new venture.
£1,475 from Power Computers of Bedford
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A lap top with a wireless arrangement that will be for all the multi media tasks I will need to perform Eg. video productions and multi media advertising,  sound and light production equipment for PR events and advertising

£2500 for an Alienware M14x R2 sourced online.
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For connection Charges and other consumables and running costs for 1 Year £1000
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Once we are up and running with the office and communications we will require transport and uniforms. Once the business has had the chance to progress, we will be enquiring into costs for these.

Valewoodturner requires a decent premises with the facility for both an office and a workshop initially, which we will expand at a later date.

My main pledge you the public who donate to Valewoodturner

We will be collecting photographic evidence and displaying it online to show that we are using all funding appropriately. I have opted to use Battle Of Britain Day (15th September) as the closing date for any funding as it is poignant for both me as an ex-Forces member and for Britain in general

If you have any questions or need any information at all please do not hesitate to email me or message me. I will reply as promptly as I can. Thank you for taking the time to read my pitch and i look forward to giving you all good news in the future.

Steve Hill (Valewoodturner)

valewoodturner@hotmail.co.uk

" To beat depresion you have to go right back to the switch that changed your life"