Alex Cloudsdale
Production and Scotland Yard Manager
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2000
Interview with Alex
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Kilmartin Cottage. Massive scarf joint in sling braces and lovely clients.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Pootling around on my estate or in reality, fixing my Land Rover
If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
Ogilvy – he lives on a desert island, Iggy – she’d not be happy if I left her, Lisa – my daughter, she makes me smile
Which three people would be in your dream carpentry team and why?
Butty – Mr Dependable, Nico – devil’s advocate, Steve – Nutter.
What music do you listen to?
Almost everything except grime and rap.
What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
I can do it.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice’ – John Templeton
Biography
Started out as a guided missile systems engineer, went to work at an outdoor centre, followed by dry stone waller. Got noticed by the National Trust and eventually became warden for Coniston and Little Langdale. After ten years I moved on to Scotland and was an RSPB warden for a season, after which I was a jobbing joiner. Got asked by Carpenter Oak to help re erect the Castaway Pods for the BBC at Cove Park, then in 2000 got offered a permanent position. I still love it, the yard is probably one of the best places to work in the UK
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Private: Barney
Carpenter
Interview with Barney
If you had to pick one, which is your favourite Carpenter Oak project and why?
Probably the first building I ever worked on. I volunteered on the construction of a village shop in 2009. It was a great introduction to the world of natural building and I have been involved in it ever since – I am still in touch with most of the people too!
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Rock climbing, sea and river swimming, surfing kayaking and spending time with family.
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Driving around a section of the North Circular in London for a 14-hour shift recording traffic jams
What is the best comedy film ever made?
It used to be Honey I Shrunk The Kids until Home Alone came out a year or two later and totally rocked my world!
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Cala Barques in Mallorca is pretty hard to beat.
Biography
After doing a geology degree and travelling for a short time in South America I did a U-turn and got involved in woodland management in West Sussex. It was a natural progression from there to building things with wood and over the next ten years I became progressively more involved in timber framing and all other aspects of natural building. I was very lucky that a move to the South West with my family in the spring of 2018 coincided with an opportunity here at Carpenter Oak.
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Chris Amey
Team Leader
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2012
Interview with Chris Amey
What is your favourite timber frame joint?
A sliding tapered dovetail.
What music are you currently listening to in the workshop?
I actually listen to a lot of Radio 3 with my radio ear defenders. I have to on my own because hardly anyone else likes it. I’m a big fan of Bach, probably because I play some piano a bit and love a string quartet, so some Haydn or Mozart rocks!
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
I have worked on some really beautiful frames. In particular, the Church House Inn in Rattery for having two arch brace trusses. Also, Levens Hall in the Lake District for its angular and original design and Bryan for its beautiful trusses across an old barn from the Port Elliot estate in Cornwall
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
I play Badminton each week followed by beers with some friends. Otherwise I occasionally get to sail a friend’s boat and generally get to hang out on our gorgeous Devon beaches
What is the best comedy film ever made?
How can I pick between The Big Labowski and Withnail and I?
Biography
I started doing carpentry when I lived in London having previously studied Sonic Arts at university. Enrolling on an NVQ course at Hackney College, I fell in love with it the moment I started the course and it took me to quite a few different places. My first proper job was oak framing in Kent with a bit of restoration work alongside new-build, then I got a job on the Cutty Sark in London for two years during the recent conservation project (before and after the fire). After that I went self employed and mostly worked in Chamonix doing renovations for a family who run a chalet business. Being kinda homeless at the time, me and my then partner decided to head for the South Hams in Devon to run a B&B by the sea and make sculptures and furniture (she ran the B&B while I made the sculptures). This is when I approached Stuart for a job at Carpenter Oak looking for a more reliable income. Eventually he agreed and I started work having to re-learn quite a bit. Six years on, I really love my job, especially since becoming a Team Leader. It’s hugely enjoyable and rewarding. It’s so great to be doing a craft all-day, everyday and although I’m not the designing stuff I am making all day whilst having a fair bit of input into that process along the way.
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Graham Butler
Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2002
Interview with Graham
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Frizealach House, near Glenuig – a thirteen week project which I led on a tricky peninsula jutting out to sea. Oak frame outside, Douglas fir inside, nice client, lots of interesting follow on-stuff, swimming at lunch.
When not in the yard, what do you enjoy doing?
Outdoorsy stuff – climbing, sea kayaking, open boat paddling trips especially. Family get-togethers, bonfires, camping, sleeping in extreme places, bivvying, van trips and playing with wood and metal.
If stranded on a desert island, which three people would you take and why?
My wife (cleaning/washing up etc – don’t quote me though) My old mate Pink – a cool dude in most situations Dolly Parton – for singalongs around the fire
Which three people would be in your dream carpentry team and why?
Ian McCloud, Jaime Ward, Sam Turley – interesting, travelled people with lots of framing skills
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
Playing father Christmas at a local youth club
What music do you listen to?
I have a selection of middle of the road bands on my phone, but enjoy other people’s music collections – music can definitely instigate a mood.
What is the best comedy film ever made?
Waking Ned (British comedy usually has me in stitches)
What do you enjoy most about working with wood/oak?
The ease with which you can fashion something that could potentially still be around in a thousand years’ time.
Do you have a favourite quote?
‘You’ll only get a 500 year guarantee if it’s an oak frame’
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Home and Glenisla, then the Cuillin Hills, Skye
Biography
I’ve had 45 practical years in industry, starting life as an apprentice welder through maintaining a reactor plant, to access work on dams and high rise flats. Married, had two kids, remarried Jackie, opened a smithy for seven years. In 2002, in my mid-forties the opportunity to learn carpentry arose through Carpenter Oak – still learning all these years later. Never once looked back with regrets. I try to keep the electronic world as a periphery and have never lost interest in the seasons and the natural world.
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Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin
Senior Carpenter
Joined Carpenter Oak: 2004
Interview with Jean-Baptiste Rouvelin
What is the best project you have worked on and why?
Boyden for location and the challenge of the roof geometry
What do you enjoy doing when not in the yard?
Exploring Dartmoor, walking, woodwork and if I am injury free, a lot of running.
What is the most embarrassing job you have ever had?
I’ve always been a carpenter…..what does that tell you?
Do you have a favourite quote?
The show isn’t over until the fat lady sings
Where is your favourite place in the World?
Anywhere off road with some grippy running shoes
Biography
I trained as a carpenter in France as a Journeyman for five years, applied for a job in England and arrived at Carpenter Oak with a one year contract. Over a decade on, I’m still here. I love Devon and Dartmoor and wouldn’t go back to France for all the money in the world.
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