It was a year ago today...

...that I was in hospital, looking at this view!

Worcester A&E - 28th December 2008

I'd just broken my leg at Chesterfield BMX track. I had to spend the following night in Worcester A&E and had to have the following two months off work, (wearing the crazy splint you see in the second photo!) I've, only recently, begun to ride and run again and feel as though the leg is really beginning to feel normal again.

What I learnt from the whole episode was that I have some very dear friends and family...people whom I love but don't tell them this often enough. Yes, I'll continue to put myself in situations that might mean me breaking another bone, but I'm able to do it because I am supported by so so many wonderful people. I am very grateful to all the people that are patient with me, encourage me and give me the space that I, so selfishly, require. I going to try and be more sociable and communicative this coming year. I am looking forward to racing again this year, especially since we will have a new track at Redditch; I also look forward to producing more work that makes people smile...Thanks again and here's to a productive, (and break free) 2010!
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Bamboo House - Recycled compressed bamboo sheet and Acrylic.

Cold and Frosty Morning!!

Finally finished work on Friday. Ended the very long term, with a meal in Hereford and a few drinks at one of my favourite pubs, The Barrels. It was a great atmosphere with loads of students, past and present, in attendance.

Got up early today and travelled to the Bishops Tachbrook pump track. There was a pretty dusting of snow on the track, which made for some entertaining riding...still, had a good time though. It was great to catch up with my fellow team mates Benn thombs and Tim Print, whose not been on his bike for a while now. For those not familiar with Tim, he was an amazing racer (and still is in my book) in BMX's founding years, the eighties. He rode in the age group above mine, often against, my good friend Mark (Woppa)Watkins. I've alot of respect for Tim, he's a stylish rider and an all round good bloke, great to have in the team...
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Beautiful morning!

Made for tricky riding conditions..

Tim Print now...

and as he was then...(No.3)

Redditch Premier members Me, Benn Thombs and Tim Print

More Bloody Flying Houses!

Only this time, arranged, in a sort of 'flying ducks' kind of a way...I've sliced them across the back so they seem to come out of the wall at a 'jaunty' angle. God, I wish Cristmas was here already; I'm gagging for a few days off, for some constructive loafing and some outdoor cycling jocularity. Want to get out on my bike now!
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Scott Edgworth...

One of my Murray Jam/Ride BMX DVD heroes showing us all how to ride the Bishops Tachbrook pump track...think I'd better head up there this weekend and practice...SKILLS!
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Finished

The piece is now finished. Mounted the wings on a piece of sycamore given to me by an ex-student. The wood's been cut, burnt, sanded and polished with beeswax...lush.

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Wood block dimensions H29cm x W18cm x D8cm

Yet another wing detail...I just love the perspex:-)

Nice new wings...

Wanted to get these pics online. I'm really excited by the finish and effects I'm getting by laminating and polishing perspex. For me, they evoke the Native American Blankets produced by Pendleton Mills in the USA. The shape is tactile and the colours are good enough to eat; just have to decide what I'm going to put them on now:-S

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Acrylic Wing - 10 x 12 x 3cm

Pendleton Mills - Moab Bed Blanket

Bazaar Weekend!!

Well, the WAVE Christmas Bazaar went so well on Saturday. We managed to sell heaps of stuff; items we'd collected from Charity shops and car boot sales over the past 15 years or so. The punters were in such good spirits, as were the stall-holders. Jo looked great in her, genuine, 80's yuppy dress, she smiled all day, (even when her heels began to hurt - thanks wibbs!). The Christmas music,(normally a bug 0f bear of mine) was ace too, I didn't hear Wizard or Slade once, the whole time! I'm seriously considering taking part in the next event because it was so much fun. Thanks for having us Clare, Lewis, Tom, Loll, Jen and finally Jo, and for the hard work you put in; it was nice to be part of something like this, you are putting Worcester on the creative map at last!
Next Fair is on Saturday 13th February.
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WAVE Christmas Bazaar Fish Street Worcester

Jo(in the 80's frock) and me (hiding behind the toy shelf)

Mork and Mindy

Meet my latest houses. 'Mork and Mindy'. I've refined the perpex wings, polishing them to a high and tactile finish. The wood is oak, recycled and left unfinished, to darken naturally. I wanted to make these as a pair, never to be separated.

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Mork and Mindy - recycled oak/perspex

Shiny wing detail

Don't Miss This!!!

Vintage Christmas Bizaar. We'll be there, selling more forgotten items from the 70's, 80's and 90's. Jo's got a new outfit, (from Secondhand Rose in Worcester) especially for the occasion...it's an amazing eighties number, in the style of Crystal Carrington?!? I kid you not, it's extreme, (pictures to follow the event)...Please come and support us.
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Birds of a feather...

...flock together.

Raced yesterday! First go since I broke my leg last December. It had pissed down nearly all Saturday night, waking me up at 5am. I was quietly hoping I might get out of going, but the weather, when we got to Nottingham, was clear, dry and breezy. It was exhilarating to, once again, be in the fray of bikes and blokes, belting down the bumpy lanes in Bullwell, (got carried away with my alliteration there), Nottingham. It was a Winter Club Race run by Nottingham Outlaws. Loads of fun. So nice to see all my friends; friends I have made over the past three years racing. My results were: Motos' - 4th, 1st and 2nd. Semi Final - 2nd. Final - 3rd! A great result, considering I was just hoping to finish, all limbs in-tact - Phew!!

Looking forward to next season.
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Me, back in my racing colours

Redditch Premiers Sean(Sean's first race in about 20 odd years!), Benn & Matt

Mark (Dingo) Wallace & Benn Thombs