What’s the most impressive thing that you’ve ever made? A medieval heraldic shield. I sawed it out of wood and painted it to look metallic, adding personalised “family” designs. It was for my son’s school holiday project. I was proud of it – until I saw the other entries, which could honourably hang in Windsor Castle. Then my shield looked tiny, puny, and silly.
What is your DIY dirty secret? Fixing the broken security window catches on the attic floor of our house. I figure if Burglar Bill has the guts to climb that high he deserves to get in.
When do you call in the professionals? When it’s anything electrical; this was after I was thrown across the kitchen from a dodgy socket I was trying to fix. Never again.
Where do your tools live? In a clear, heavy-duty, big plastic bag on top of the cupboard in the passage from the kitchen to the garage. I can see where everything is and just reach in and grab what I want.
What’s your favourite bit of kit? Oh come on! My cordless electric drill. Isn’t it everyone’s?
What was your biggest DIY disaster? Building a go-kart for the kids. It was so dangerous I ended up burning it.
Bin it or mend it?
Wrong order – mend it, then bin it.
Interview by Rosanna Greenstreet
