I started my apprenticeship at T.W.Howarth, the oboe makers in 1981. Whilst there I undertook all the stages of manufacture, from wood turning to component manufacture. After an initial period I was trained to make mechanism and assemble oboes for the student instruments.

When suitably trained in that department I moved onto the handmade instruments, making professional oboes.

After a brief period with the flute maker/repairer Duncan Crawford, I returned to Howarth to undertake the set up of the clarinet department. Working alongside Jon Steward we collaborated to design and produce the Howarth S2 clarinet and later the S3 model.

I was involved in the design of the mechanism and the jig making. Most of the fixtures and jigs are unique to instrument manufacture and I was able to make these in-house. Whilst not being an engineer, I was soon to learn with the help of fellow collegues and numerous text books.

It was the period with Duncan Crawford that inspired me to make my own flutes. I was able to hone my flutemaking techniques at home after my days work had finished.

I left Howarth after 22 years to work independently on a number of projects that had been on hold. I work principally on my own flutes and other woodwind instruments occasionally.