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Alongside our best gunmaking and highly prized engravings, we are proud to help maintain elite handcraftsmanship on the British Isles, be that with our bespoke leather goods, tailored shooting tweeds, country calf boots, fine hats and neckties and in this article’s case one-of-a-kind stickmaking.
Each year in time for the English shooting season, we take a visit to the workshops of our stickmaker located on the edge of the Peak District, to not only view and select from his latest life-like creations but to drink tea and discuss ideas for next year’s collection.
These walking sticks are always a great talking point and literally walk out of the showroom as quickly as they enter, becoming a worthy lifetime companion to our clients. The skill, artistry and range of animals is astonishing with each chosen game bird or gun dog sculpted into the ideal position to rest and support one’s hand on any outdoor adventure.
Our stickmaker, Colin, has been carving and painting for over 40 years, having taken on the profession full time after his career in coal mining was cut short due to a pit closure. Though he had been down the mines for over 30 years he sees the chance change as very fortunate as “the world of stick making is by far safer!”.
His inspiration is unmistakably the beauty of his rural surroundings of which he takes regular country walks in. The Peak District on his doorstep undoubtedly provides a great resource as well, often returning home with new ideas to inform his next creation.
In recent years his son Marc has joined him in the trade, which is pleasing to see the craft continuing within the family, especially as Colin reaches his octogenarian milestone. Marc’s particular speciality is dogs and unsurprisingly most of his bespoke orders are to visualise his client’s best friends.
Our team of stick makers are always open to future commissions, however challenging, and if this is something of interest, please do not hesitate to contact our retail team who will be more than happy to assist you with your very own bespoke walking stick.
For bespoke orders please feel free contact our Showroom Manager Steven Harridence - retail@westleyrichards.co.uk
To view the latest selection of Westley Richards Walking Sticks head to our store.
The Explora Blog is the world’s premier online journal for field sports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, conservationists and admirers of bespoke gunmaking, fine leather goods and timeless safari clothes. Each month Westley Richards publishes up to 8 blog posts on a range of topics with an avid readership totalling 500,000+ page views per year.
Blog post topics include: Finished custom rifles and bespoke guns leaving the Westley Richards factory; examples of heritage firearms with unique designs and celebrated owners like James Sutherland and Frederick Courtenay Selous; the latest from the company pre-owned guns and rifles collection; interviews with the makers from the gun and leather factory; new season safari wear and country clothing; recent additions to our luxury travel bags and sporting leather goodsrange; time well spent out in the field; latest news in the sporting world; and key international conservation stories.
Peter J. Treboldi on August 19, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Since I received Colin’s Woodcock stick a few weeks ago, it has been my constant companion on my walks with my boys, Gus and Duke, two beautiful setters. God has blessed me to still be able to walk behind my dogs. And with Colin’s beautiful walking stick, I appreciate the gift even more so. Please express to him my great appreciation.
Stephen Humphries on August 19, 2020 at 8:12 pm
Dear Peter,
A pleasure to hear your story and how Colin's work is so greatly appreciated. I will of course share that appreciation with him directly.
All the best and enjoy your walks,
Stephen
David D. Hammond on August 21, 2020 at 4:42 am
Stephen
As I am a 100% disabled American Veteran and because of my injuries I use a walking stick every where I go, "I have to use the stick to keep my balance". This caused me to find great interest in your write up about Colin and his son Mark. My wife of 53 years and I live on a lake in Northern Indiana in the USA and when we walk it usually is around the lake. Out of all the wild life we see on and around the water I enjoy the Loon's the most. With their black and white markings and red eyes I think they are the most beautiful of all waterfowl, so I would like a walking stick with a Loon on it, that would take care of work from Colin. Then we have a water friendly dog that goes on our walks with us and his name is Parker, he is a Black Labrador that has the most captivating green eyes which I could send Mark a picture of so he could see the eyes for reference, that would be the second stick I would like to have made. What I am saying is I am interested in two sticks with both of them being between 49" and 52" long, if possible, the Labrador from Mark and the Loon form Colin. If you would, please talk to Colin and Mark about this work and if they are interested please get back with me and let me know the price with shipping and anything more you would need to know from me.
With My Very Best Regards,
David D. Hammond
Stephen Humphries on September 1, 2020 at 9:31 am
Dear David,
It is a great pleasure to hear from you and about your picturesque life in Indiana.
I have passed on your request to our retail team who will be in touch shortly regarding any further specifics for the two bespoke walking sticks
mentioned. They will then contact Colin for a detailed quote on them for you.
All going well I look forward to those artfully described animals coming to life via Colin's and Mark's hands.
All the very best,
Stephen
Mims Reed on September 6, 2020 at 8:24 pm
Any chance Colin would have known my deceased stick maker friend Theo Fossel? I had Theo make me two canes and to come to my store in Texas and teach to stick making classes.
Better tomorrows,
Mims Reed