AFTER 22 years as a Mouseman, a craftsman and bespoke furniture maker from Wensleydale has decided to go it alone.

After leaving school as a 16 year-old and wanting a career working in wood Terry Harrington took a job at Robert Thompson’s in Kilburn. Leaving his home at Askrigg he took lodgings in nearby Carlton Miniott. Several years ago he moved to just outside Leyburn and commuted 70 miles a day for many years.

Now after more than two decades at the family run firm he has set up his own business using the skills he acquired during his working life there.

He explained:”It was a bit of a wrench leaving after all this time but it got to the stage when I felt the time was right. I was asked to do some shop work for Campbell’s in Leyburn and that was the thing that made me decide to set up on my own.”

With premises in Masham the new business has been going for several weeks now and Mr Harrington is happy with his progress to date. He works in oak and can produce large items of furniture, small gifts or presents, all traditionally carved; all these bear his individual sign of a ram’s head. He also undertakes restoration work.

Mr Harrington said: “ A customer from Devon asked for a magazine rack in the form of a drystone wall; someone else wanted a carved wooden stand for their iphone . I enjoy meeting my customers and discussing their requirements; so far it has gone really well.”

Visit terryharrington.weebly.com/