Page 39 - Clarion February 2018

Clarion Clippings - The Local News

ON THE MARKET There’s a lot of work in every piece he makes,
up to an hour’s time in some cases. He starts with
a small piece of whatever material he’s using,
drills through the centre and inserts a brass tube
before he mounts it in his lathe to turn it down to
size, then finally polish with a series of finer and
finer glass papers.
He inserts a good quality ballpoint mechanism,
plus clip and retaining parts in either chromed or
gold plated finish. Are refills available? “I can
supply, or any good quality stationer will be able
to help.”
The result is eye-catching and unique,
something you won’t see anywhere else. And he’s
very picky about the finish, showing a couple of
rejects that don’t measure up to his standards
because the polishing isn’t good enough and there
are slight scratches in the surface. Does he have a
high rate of rejection? we asked. “About one in
ten, but in the early days it was a lot higher than
that!”
These are not cheap little bits, so if you think in
Edward Humphries of The Write Angle, with a terms of a tubful of Bics from a Pound Shop, look
mighty impressive array of pens. elsewhere. But if you want quality and exclusivity,
“It’s not a business, just a hobby,” insists Edward Edward sells at the monthly Cleobury Country
Humphries as he stands beside a display of his Farmers’ Markets and will happily take time to
stylish ‘Write Angle’ pens. You’ll not find any tell you all about his offering.
others like these, made in his garage as a way of So where did the inspiration for this hobby
relaxing and using offcuts of rare woods or come from? “A gang of us decided to make
colourful blends of acrylics. something different to give as Christmas presents.
He has a gentle sense of humour that comes One made nesting boxes, others baked cakes and
through when he’s describing the types of wood stuff, and I decided to make pens. It’s never going
used, holding one pen up: “There’s no other wood to be a business and I’m happy if someone buys
like this. It’s from an offcuts left over by the chap one at the market, because that’s the only place I
who was building my new staircase.” And very regularly put them on show. “
warm looking and nicely finished that staircase “There’s no pressure. If I come home from work
must be, if this remnant is any reflection of what and feel like it, I go into the garage and do some
he’s had made. work on them, because I enjoy it.” Meet him at the
market or talk to him on 07970 767633.

cleobury country

farmers market

In and around St Mary’S church

saturday 17th february 2018

from 9.30am to 12.30pm

Cleobury Clarion - Page !39 - February 2018