Family: Newsome artist Chris Fallowfield is heading for 60 and his studio

Jan 27 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Chris, originally from Hertfordshire, came to the North to study fine art in Manchester, but never completed the course, moving instead into the parks department of Manchester City Council.

From there he went to Nottingham, again working as a council gardener, and then to Yorkshire in the early 1970s.

A former groundsman for the Colne Valley High School, attended by his own two children from his first marriage, he learned dry stone walling in order to teach in the school’s former Rural Studies Department and eventually became a master craftsman.

Chris also worked for Kirklees as part of a team of gardeners, caring for school grounds in the Holme Valley. “It was the best patch with the best views,’’ he says.

Before his retirement he was a self-employed dry stone waller and taught courses to those interested in the ancient craft.

“It was amazing the range of people who came on the courses. There were people from all the professions who wanted to learn because it was a complete change for them,’’ explained Chris.

“Interest in dry stone walling is on the increase, particularly because of environmental projects,’’ he added. “I expect there are people who want to take it up in their retirement!’’

However, his own days facing the elements are over and he feels fortunate to be in a position to finally follow his dream of being an artist.

Now that his own two children and three step-children are grown-up and with families of their own – a fourth grandchild is on the way – Chris feels free to indulge his creativity and support the efforts of others through his membership of Artists in Mind, which helps people with mental health problems.

“I have been lucky in that I mostly liked my job, but age was starting to tell and now I’ve got the chance to do something else,’’ he said.

In his first year as a professional artist he’ll be searching for exhibition venues and developing his work.

Has retirement offered you the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream or changed your life in ways that you couldn’t have imagined? We’d like to hear your stories. Contact hilarie.stelfox@examiner.co.uk or write to Retirement Stories, Huddersfield Examiner, Queen Street South, Huddersfield HD1 3DU.