CRAFTSMAN Joseph Hemingway is set to showcase his skills at one of Britain’s most outstanding stately homes.

Mr Hemingway, who is re-building his wood carving career after fire destroyed his Armitage Bridge workshop three years ago, has been invited to demonstrate his craft at historic Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.

He is set to join other craftsmen and women, contemporary artists and ceramicists taking part in the venue’s Sunday arts market, which is held in the stable courtyard.

The first market planned for 2010 is likely to take place in late March.

The offer comes as Mr Hemingway continues with his latest project to build a set of six ribbon-backed chairs to a design by the renowned Thomas Chippendale.

Nottingham-based textile specialist Beryl Connor is providing the intricately-embroidered seat covers for the chairs..

Mr Hemingway has already set up Taylor & Hobson as a Community Interest Community and runs Thomas Chippendale Ltd.

He has also worked as a volunteer business adviser under the Young Enterprise scheme supported by HSBC and the Small Business Service.

The scheme encourages youngsters nearing school leaving age to think about starting their own business.

Mr Hemingway started his carving career as an apprentice with Huddersfield joinery firm of Taylor & Hobson, but set up his own cabinet-making business in 1968.

He developed an interest in the work of Chippendale and in the 1980s began work on his own intricate carved versions of Chippendale chairs. The chairs were known as “impossible chairs” because they were thought too complicated to carve.

Castle Howard, an 18th century palace designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, is recognised as the finest private residence in Yorkshire.

The house was begun in 1699 for the third Earl of Carlisle, Charles Howard, and features a 192ft gallery and a chapel with a magnificent 19th century stained glass window.

The house is a treasure trove of paintings, antique furniture and sculpture while the grounds include lakes, fountains and extensive gardens.