Carpenter Hugh Miller’s love of wood

Jul 15 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

Carpenter Hugh Miller’s love of wood

AN OBSESSION has led a Ledsham Village man to start his own business.

Hugh Miller, 24, set up HM Handmade, a bespoke design and carpentry business, earlier this year, following a Masters degree in architecture at Sheffield University.

“I am obsessed with timber,” says Hugh, who has already secured £15,000 worth of sales since April and is fully booked with orders until at least the end of August.

“Since I was about 14 or 15 I have loved making things and after my degree, I just couldn’t see myself being office bound.

“My woodcraft skills are self-taught and I like to see a project through from design to the finished product.”

Hugh particularly likes working with European oak, although he uses most native species.

“The way it is sawn means it has more attractive patterns,” he said.

“I only use sustainably- sourced timber with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.”

To date, Hugh has designed and built bespoke doors, French doors, furniture, a kitchen and a conservatory.

“I made a particularly nice dressing cabinet for a gentleman who wanted to celebrate his daughter’s graduation.”

Hugh has also created seating, storage and a stage area for a garden at this year’s RHS show at Tatton Park.

The garden, in the back-to-back category, has been created to celebrate 10 years of song for the Chester choir A Handbag of Harmonies. The garden was the inspiration of Hugh’s mother Dori, a keen amateur gardener and singer in the choir.

Hugh, a former Neston High School student, is enjoying the business side of his venture as much as the creative element.

“I didn’t realise I would enjoy running the business so much,” he said.

View Hugh’s work at www.hmhandmade.co.uk or telephone 07789768302.