Mark Irwin grew up in Tunbridge Wells in Kent spending most of his time in the countryside.

After a torturous time at school and a few dead-end jobs, he joined the Royal Navy where he served for 36 years in roles as diverse as cleaning in the Pot-wash, to maintaining Sea Harrier jump jets, to managing the infrastructure of a NATO base in Norway.

Mark has always enjoyed working with his hands, and since retiring from the RN, has thrown himself into sculpture where he finds the manipulation of metal and wire good for both body and mind.

He has exhibited in Royal Horticultural Society Gardens and his work sits in the gardens of such icons as Alan Titchmarsh.