Went to Paul's workshop this afternoon and bought my drum carder.
We were there for about 45 minutes as we also met Mandy, his wife, who is a spinner and who runs a spinning group. I had already heard about the group from the person who sold me my wheel but it's good to know a couple of people before you go somewhere new. Had a lovely chat about spinning and came away with a carrier bag of fleece as what I have been trying to spin is very dry. Paul told me how he got into making drum carders. Mandy had an Ashford drum carder but she was going to buy another one as she wanted one for carding finer fibres. Paul thought they were costly and that it would be better if the drum could be changed so he had a good look at hers and made her one. She took it to the spinning group and several people there asked if they could buy them. It grew from there. He now has a purpose built workshop in the garden of their 16th century farmhouse, overlooking their sheep and bantams. It was a lovely place and they are lovely people. I have instructions to phone if I have any problems with the carder or with spinning in general.
The group meet on the third Saturday in the month which, unfortunately is the same day as my writing group although one is morning and one is afternoon. My book club used to meet on the evening of the thrid Saturday as well but we have changed that. Just as well. I'm going to be pretty tired after a mornign writing and an afternoon spinning.