JON TIPLADY WHEELWRIGHT

I live and work in the Suffolk countryside where we have a thriving horse interest. At least half of my work is in re-building wheels for heavy horse vehicles along with shafts and some restoration of old wagons and carts.

Light trade vehicle wheels and recreational carts take up the rest of my time. Many of my wheels go into the show ring on rare and historic vehicles, while others go to keeping a treasured family run-about going and giving years of pleasure. Conversions from iron shod to rubber crop up a lot. Gypsy van wheels and body repairs turn up in surprising quantity.

I work in association with many local skilled crafts people, including precision engineers, blacksmith, bridle and harness maker, forester and timber converters, all of whom play a key role in enabling me to turn out quality work.

Another strong partnership is with the heavy horse world. Without working vehicles these rare and special horses would find limited employment: without those horses there would be little call for sound vehicles and all that goes with them.

The timber I use is estate grown and of premium quality. It is managed with great care by people who understand the countryside. The oak and ash are sawn on a rack-saw driven by a steam traction engine called Oliver, which is a very pleasant way to do things. The converted wood is air-dried in the first instance, but elm for the hubs and ash for felloes are dried down further in a simple kiln.

Next year there are more demonstrations booked; in particular, tyring wheels with my portable hearth and tyring plate. You can see this live at Euston Park , The Mid Suffolk Show and The Suffolk Show.

Wheelwrighting is interesting and varied. I am privileged to be carrying on this time honoured craft. You might think a wheel is a wheel is a wheel, but even similar looking jobs pose new and unexpected problems to be solved. This is a craft which often mutates into a black art and never ceases to engage the enquiring mind.