I grew up the youngest in a family that has been scarred by alcoholism and in an atmosphere of perpetual argument between my parents where i was frequently caught in the crossfire or used as ammunition by both my mother and father until they finally divorced when i was 15. Perhaps unsurprisingly i have made some pretty unhealthy choices in my adulthood and ended up in a couple of very toxic relationships as a result.
I think it's fair to say that it's only with the wisdom of hindsight that i recognised those relationships as abusive....which is common particularly for men ...we find it hard to accept we've been the victim in an abusive relationship.At the end of those two relationships I found myself bereft of self esteem and saddled with multiple addictions so i somewhat quixotically decided to come home to wales and quit drink,drugs and relationships! Thankfully i have succeeded with the first two and changed my mind with the third...and here we are!
Making staffs, wands and walking sticks has a two-fold benefit for my mental health. Finding beautiful wood gets me out and about and immersed in nature something that is good for us all and then the process of turning that wood into an attractive artefact is one i find very therapeutic.

Some examples of Hugh's work