Meeting the Amberley Bodger

Amberley Museum has long been a favourite day out for many in the village. We sat down with one of the crafts people, The Amberley Bodger, to find out more about his craft and the Museum.

The Amberley Bodger (Colin Wells—dob 1947) has been demonstrating and teaching at the museum since 2005. His interest in wood and making things goes back to his school days and although not taking up a trade associated with wood has been using wood in his hobbies. For a time he taught basic carpentry skills (adult education) at the Northbrook College in Worthing (Sussex) and has also delivered some training modules at Brinsbury College (Sussex) to students taking woodland management courses. He came into the world of greenwood working in 1989 prior to this he concentrated on kiln dried wood craft, turning and construction. Making Bowls, dolls houses, chairs tables, small lights stands and standard lamps, etc. Selling at local shows. He takes an active interest in the museum helping the management team as well as being the head of group for the greenwood workers in the Greenwood Village by the wood yard. His main demonstration is the Polelathe (which he also teaches) but other crafters in village make, gate hurdles, rake, tent pegs, and gipsy flowers, to name a few. All of the wood used is source sustainably from the National Trust locally.

He has recently signed up with the Museum to be an onsite craftsperson. This entails sharing any profit he makes from selling his craft items, with the Museum, and also from delivering his courses. He runs courses all year round. With the current situation he has adapted his teaching methods to comply with guidelines on social distancing.

In April he published a small, inexpensive, booklet on Amazon Kindle. Called surprisingly! ‘The Amberley Bodger’. In it he covers a little about himself. The Bodgers of High Wycombe. Some guidance on using a Polelathe and a plan on how to make your own Polelathe. If you care to go onto the internet, and search Amberley Bodger it will give a link to the booklet. Also links on you tube for videos etc.

He is always happy to chat about his craft at the Museum and welcomes visitors on the days he is in. These are primarily Wednesdays and Sundays. But contact him in advance if you want to see him particularly. The Amberley Museum is a large (36 acres) open air site and covers heritage industries, has a train service and bus service. Details can be found on their website Amberley Museum. Currently it is advisable to book in advance as they are limiting numbers onto the site.

You can contact him via his website www.greenwoodworker.co.uk