WOODCARVERS plying a solitary hobby in a garden shed can start socialising and showing off their skills to fellow enthusiasts.

They are being invited to join a new North-East region of the British Woodwork Association being set up by two Darlington men - Mr Dave Shires and Mr Alan Suddes.

The two carvers want to hold regular meetings with social events, competitions, lecturers, slide and video shows, but mostly to talk carving and exchange ideas. Beginners are welcome and if there is sufficient demand it could lead to separate classes.

The BWA meetings would be held monthly at High Coniscliffe primary school from 7-9pm and the inaugural meeting is on Tuesday.

"There is nothing north of Leeds at the moment," said Mr Shires.

"We want anyone who is prepared to travel here once a month for two hours of carving. The main thing is just to be able to exchange ideas and information about what they are doing, and perhaps learn new techniques.

"I think we have some of the best carvers anywhere up here in the North-East. But they tend to be in isolation, just beavering away on their own, and never have the chance to compare what they are doing."

Mr Suddes said: "This is a craft a lot of people would like to try but they are frightened that it is too complex. They see a really nice piece of work and think they couldn't do that.

"A lot of ladies think it is a matter of strength when really it is down to sharp tools and technique.

"The BWA probably has as many women as men," agreed Mr Shires.

"Most carvers learn by blood and pain. It is a progression from the little boy with a penknife whittling away at a stick as he walks through the woods. He might as well join us and learn a bit more."

Mr Suddes pointed out: "We will talk about tools, the types and makes and how to sharpen them and a lot about timber.

"When carvers hear that someone has chopped down a tree in the garden and burned it, they throw up their hands in horror.

"All sorts of wood - apple, plum and pear - can be used. Hardwood is good and lime is excellent because it carves very easily.

"The softer the woods, the sharper the tools have to be so it doesn't become chewed up. That is a mistake a lot of beginners make, which puts them off.

"Others are deterred from trying because they can't draw, but there are ways round that, such as tracing a design first."

There are many different kinds of carving to choose from - relief, carving in the round, sculptural carving and chip carving.

A former surveyor who is winding down to retirement as caretaker at High Coniscliffe school, Mr Shires started his interest in carving as a young lad.

"I really got into carving sticks and crooks and then other little bits such as puzzles and I love making chains - that is very therapeutic.

"I also like the ball in a cage. People always want to know how you got it in there.

"One reason I have a renewed interest now is that for some time I have had a passion to make a rocking horse."

Mr Suddes was forced to take early retirement when Darlington Borough Council closed Tubwell Row museum where he was curator for many years.

But that turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as he is now employed part-time by a furniture restorer, a job he loves.

At the moment he is carving a replacement for the bottom edge of a Georgian mirror.

He said: "As a child I would dig holes in the garden, get a lump of clay and make a dog's head out of it. I always liked making small things like miniature cricket bats bound with thread.

"I'm completely self taught although I did have art and design training at college."

Now he gets commissions for restoration work to exact designs. He finds that a real challenge: "Before I could please myself what I did and if it didn't work, it got stuck on a shelf - like a violin I started.

"But it is very satisfying being forced to produce something, especially when it is so traditional. You surprise yourself at what you can do."

Anyone who is interested in the BWA meetings should get in touch with Mr Shire on 01325 374686 or Mr Suddes on 01325 283578