Lesley & Jeff Wyatt

Lesley & Jeff had both pursued their hobbies of pyrography and decorative ropework independently for some years, when a commission planted an idea.   Lesley was asked to produce a banner with a picture of HMS Victory burned on it for the Victory Riggers based in Portsmouth.   Jeff was so pleased with the result that he said that he wanted to keep it.   But Lesley persuaded him otherwise by saying that she would do another one especially for him, provided he made a rope frame for it.   Jeff agreed.   They were so pleased with the result that they decided to produce a few more.  Pictured is one of their latest efforts ? The Sovereign of the Seas.   Using a normal wooden frame as a base, Jeff makes several different rope braids out of natural cordage.   These are then attached to the frame using strong adhesive.  Smaller corner pieces, called ocean plaits are attached across the corners, and then a star knot to finish it off.   No two frames will ever be the same.

Of course this is not the only work they do, Jeff, a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers, and its current President, also makes bell ropes, canal boat fenders etc. covering all aspects of decorative knotwork.   Lesley does pyrographed pictures on wood, leather, paper and tagua nuts (vegetable ivory).   She also carves.   She is a member of the International Association of Pyrographic Artists and a founder member of UKPyros, both internet groups.