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Did you put a welt in?

I’d guess that a lot of the less business oriented, hobby-only UK makers on Etsy have decided to steer clear following the change to mandatory reporting of sales etc to HMRC. The tax man is happy to jump on minor side hustles but less bothered about multinationals, it would seem.

Yeah, a shame. It was a good start last year but perhaps it’s one of those things that needs to be established while it’s a smaller affair.

I’m lucky - I have two man caves, one indoor (my workroom), and one outdoor (my workshop). The indoor one is where I can do a lot of making in comfort, while making a small amount of mess. The outdoor one (not pictured) is where I work on my motorcycles, do bulk woodwork, and have a couple of...

At the end of the motorcycling year, I fill my bikes to the brim with Esso E5, and then add a generous amount of Motorex fuel stabiliser. That was at the end of November, and I’ve just been out for my first ride of the year today. No problems at all. Esso E5 is, or was, supposed to be one of the...

Around here - far western Somerset, and for the shoots at which I beat, all game cover appears to be for game consumption only. IIRC, most cover here consists of strips planted on the eastern edges of large fields, or corners of large fields which are too wet or too difficult to get combines...

Me too! My doctor told me that I’m bit b12 deficient, and so should eat more meat products, e.g liver. Yummy!

Mother Mallard:

We like a bit of cheese but usually only expand our repertoire at Christmas. Generally we’ll have cheddar - we are in Somerset after all - alongside pecorino and Parmesan for various salads and Italian dishes. We buy our cheddars , usually Vintage and Extra Mature, at Mole Valley Farmers, and...

Hi Hugh, the blade carries stamps of two pairs of crossed axes, with text “W. GILPIN WEDGES MILLS WARRANTED” between the pairs of axes. From a quick google, this seems to be made in Wedges Mill, a small hamlet near Cannock in Staffs.

Go to an antiques dealer or house clearance companies. You’ll often get a better quality blade for less money as a lot of people selling in those places don’t know what they are. I got one that just needed a proper clean, sharpen and strop. In my case I also made a ‘sheath’ for it too:

I should add that I’ve used this method on hazel, ash, sweet chestnut and oak. It certainly doesn’t work on bamboo culms, but they do make a nice walking or beating stick - tough and light.

I've always waited until the wood is at least dry, and preferably seasoned if you can. Greenwood can be strapped down straight to a stable piece of wood, or metal, and allowed to dry like that but that will take time - most woodworkers would allow a year per inch of thickness. I only use dry...

“…Brave Helios, wake up your steeds Bring the warmth the countryside needs” (From “The Day Begins”, by Graeme Edge and Peter Knight)

A very good steak and kidney pudding in proper suet pastry. Oh my. Seems to be vanishingly rare these days.

I bought a British Army waterproof shell jacket in MTP with a moisture vapour permeable finish for £20. I know camo is a big turn off for some but it’s lasted me 6 years of beating, angling, photography and field archery. It’s got a few minor holes now but I’m going to have to ditch it because...

Royal Mint list a 2026 1oz Silver Britannia at £84.86 right now, inc VAT. I’m not sure what the delivery charges are because I’ve never had to pay any.

I’m a fan, as tinned fish was a favourite of my Dad. Particularly sardines, pilchards, tuna, herring, mackerel, salmon and anchovies. To be honest I prefer fresh anchovies but they do get a bit expensive. I like all of them in their usual presentations - oils, tomato sauces, brine, pepper and...

I blooming hope so! Happy Imbolc All…..