Gift fit for a Pope made by craftsman with wonderfully fitting name

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A wooden bowl made from churchyard yew by a woodturner called Brian Wooden, was admired by the Pope this month.

Brian, of Kessingland, near Lowestoft, said he was delighted that the Bishop of Norwich thought his bowl was a suitable gift for Pope Francis. Bishop Graham presented it to His Holiness during an ecumenical pilgrimage to Rome.

“It seems quite unreal but I’m very pleased; the real pleasure comes from knowing that Bishop Graham sees the bowls as good enough to offer as gifts,” said Brian.

He began woodturning as a hobby around 15 years ago and often gets comments about his surname. “The biggest laugh was when we applied to join the Norfolk Forestry Club!” said Brian.

Most of his work is given to friends and family, but he also takes commissions and sells pieces when he gives talks on woodturning. 

His bowl has joined an array of presents for popes over the centuries, from pictures and plants to a live elephant called Hanno given to Pope Leo X by the King of Portugal in 1514 – and painted by Raphael.

Bishop Graham came across Brian’s work when he made bowls, vases, pens and even clocks from the salvageable bits of rotten beams, to raise money for the renovation of Kessingland church’s thatched roof.

Brian, who is retired, has also made candlesticks for the church. Some of the yew he uses comes from churchyard trimmings. He has also used oak blown down in the 1987 storm, wood from a boat which was being restored, and particularly enjoys turning oak, ash and cherry.

“The Bishop mentioned that he was going to Rome and that he would take a bowl with him. I was nonetheless extremely surprised when he sent me some pictures!” said Brian.

The pilgrimage saw church leaders from Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney, travel to Rome and the Vatican, strengthening ties across denominations.