A wood carving group is setting up shop in Esher.

After their council-run class in Coulsdon was axed earlier in the year, a group of enthusiasts have been welcomed into the Man Shed at Princess Alice Hospice where they will run weekly Friday morning sessions from mid-September.

Peter Prowse, who negotiated the agreement to use the woodworking workshop at the hospice, said: “We’ve all been carving for several years and were disappointed when the Coulsdon class closed.”

He added: “Although wood carving is a hobby you can pursue on your own at home, it’s much more rewarding if you can do it in a group. We all learn from each other and the social element is important too.”

Members of the new group will also volunteer at Princess Alice Hospice, offering an introduction to wood carving to people attending the day centre as well as carers and bereaved relatives.

The Friday morning sessions are open to all and anyone interested should contact peter.prowse@waylines.co.uk. Anyone interested in volunteering at the hospice should contact Zoe Byrne at zoebyrne@pah.org.uk

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