Carve Up The Coast

05/02/2017

Carve Up The Coast is taking a break this year, tune in next year for a bigger and better event.

08/05/2016

We've had a look through some of the photos from yesterday and chosen a few of our favourites. If you have any that you'd like to share, we'd love to see them :-)

08/05/2016

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped out, supported and came to see the event in Prince's Park yesterday. We had a lots of fun in the sun and we hope you did too - not even the brief cloudburst at the end could dampen our spirits!

In particular we'd like to thank those there on the day: Norrie, Ann and Simon W from Southport Contemporary Arts, without who the event wouldn't have been as fantastic as it was; all the volunteers including the dream team of Aly, Linda and Clare who kept things moving; to the Earth Rustlers for providing the music over lunch; and a particular shout to Simon for comparing throughout the day and for his auctioneering.

We would also like to thank Southport BID for their support this year. As part of the Southport Festival and the Arts Trail there was loads of free family events around the town.

We'd also like to thank our sponsors Skyland Equipment, Chainsaw Bars and Formby Timber; Gary from SE Forestry for supplying the wood; and Norman and Owen from Southport Pleasureland.

Finally, of course, the carvers - particularly those who made the long journey to get to us. Too many to mention everyone and apologies if we've missed anyone out! Hope to see you all next year

01/05/2016

There's so much on going on for Southport Festival next weekend. The full Festival programme is available at venues across Southport or you can download from the festival website

http://www.visitsouthport.com/southport-festival/festival-programme

The Southport Festival programme is available at many of the venues across Southport, including The Atkinson . You can also download straight to your device on Google Play or iTunes App store . ...

30/04/2016

Our final competitor is our second international Igor Kucera

Igor started carving small pieces at the age of 5. He has had a varied career as a translator and interpreter, and graphic designer - completing his MA in the UK. But it wasn't until he bought his own house in Czech Republic that he got back to carving, this time trying to carve bigger pieces. He soon started to work with a chainsaw, specialising in carving life-sized statues. Over the last 5 years, he has competed in shows across the US and Europe including Czech Republic, Slovakia and UK.

You can check out more of his work on his website www.scurgraphics.co.uk

30/04/2016

Carver #12 is James Shelliker from Preston

Based in Kirkham near Preston, James has been a full-time carver since 2009. He had demonstrated at various country and agricultural shows around the northwest, but this will be his first experience of competing against other carvers. He thinks this "will be great experience to see how the other guys work as much as anything". A strong advocate for the environment, James has worked with local schools creating storytelling and outdoor education areas.

You can see more of his work on his website www.acornwoodcraft.co.uk

30/04/2016

Can't believe we are now on the one-week countdown. This time next Saturday the park won't be quite so serene!

29/04/2016

Only one week to go, carvers are booked and the logs have been ordered!
Many thanks to David Conway at Tilhill Foresty and to Gary Ellison at S.E. Forestry for supplying the saw logs and supporting this great event!

28/04/2016

A sneak preview of the trophies for our event on the 7 th of May!
Many thanks to Simon O'Rourke Ltd for the lazer engraving.

27/04/2016

Competitor number 11 is Ian Andrews from Kent

Ian is a 60 year old former cabinet maker, joiner and luthier from Kent who has been using chainsaws since 1987. However, he did not start carving until about 2 years ago after illness temporarily impaired his ability to work as accurately on instruments.

A strong desire to make the best use of local timber, has meant he has hardly put the chainsaw down since. Ian does various local shows and demonstrations as well as Country Shows around England. His first ever chainsaw competition was at Carve up the Coast - so he must have thought it was worth coming back! However, he's used to competing saying "the carving area in the yard is shared with another carver which inevitably introduces an element of competitiveness"

27/04/2016

Our next competitor is the first of our international carvers Filip Lysek

He lives in a small village at the easternmost point of Czech Republic, wedged between Poland and Slovakia and has been working as a carpenter since 2004. He started chainsaw carving in 2009, and entered the local carving competition the same year - winning second place.

Since then he has competed in shows across Europe, the UK and USA including Woodfest Wales, English Open and Ridgway Rendezvous. About his work he says "I gather ideas for woodcarving in nature, history or everyday life. My favorite themes are animals and people, such as historical figures or children"

17/04/2016

Our next competitor is David Roberts

Originally from North Wales, David is now based close to Aberdeen in North East Scotland. He is a research scientist specialising in DNA diagnostics for environmental monitoring, but started chainsaw carving 4 years ago after meeting world-class carver Simon O’Rourke. “I can’t draw but I can chuck a chainsaw around a bit, so I thought I would give it a go. It has taken over my life since and I spend all of my free time carving’. Since 2012, he has carved at Scottish Open Carving Competition and Woodfest Wales, as well as competing in the New York state chainsaw championship and other events in the USA


Check out more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/DervishCarving/?fref=ts