I started my apprenticeship in a steelworks pattern shop in 1959 as a joiner. This included batch turning & turning to engineering drawings. I left the steelworks in 1980 & worked as an instructor on a training scheme teaching woodwork until 1983. In 1984 I started my own woodworking business on a measure, make & fix basis until 2003 when I retired through ill health. I still kept up my woodturning as a hobby as I enjoyed it so much. In 2007 I had multiple retinal detachments @ over the next 2 years had 10 operations but my retinas were too far gone & so I was registered blind. In2010 I became a member of St. Dunstan's later to become Blind Veterans UK a charity which helps sight impaired & blind ex armed forces personnel. They helped tremendously in getting my confidence & independence back & they have helped me greatly on so many levels & allowed me to keep on turning.
- Bill Mooney