"I never wanted to be part of an unsustainable society. I've always tried to live as peaceful a life as I can, outside the big cities. Now I am the last person left in England making clogs by hand. I spend most days in my studio in Kington, Herefordshire, carving green sycamore wood that I collect myself, hand-dyeing the leather and making sure the soles are as near perfect a match to someone's foot as possible."
"I met a craftsman in an adjoining village called Tregaron. He was a clog maker called Hywel Davies. I began training with him as an apprentice. I found the craft fascinating. Clog carving knives are dangerous, so the activity demanded my complete attention: it was the perfect therapeutic outlet. I also taught myself to make other kinds of shoes, but I've always stuck by clogs. I can't say I had any natural aptitude for the craft, but it's mostly sheer will that gets you through."
"British clogs are made of a combination of wood and leather, not to be mistaken for the more well-known European all-wooden footwear. Each pair takes about 15 hours to make. Women's and children's shoes are easier as they're generally smaller, but men make up most of my customers. Some of their feet are so big, I can only compare them to yetis'. Once, when I was in my 20s, I managed to make almost two pairs in a day, but they weren't very good."
I am the last person in England making clogs by hand, living peacefully in Kington, Herefordshire. I carve green sycamore wood that I collect myself, hand-dye the leather and shape soles to fit individual feet. I grew up in Ceredigion, experienced unemployment in 1976 and developed severe anxiety after a breakup, which led me to train as an apprentice with clog maker Hywel Davies in Tregaron. Clog carving provided therapeutic focus because knives demanded full attention. British clogs combine wood and leather and take about 15 hours per pair. Aging and back strain are making the work increasingly difficult.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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