About Anthony Dew

I left home & school at 15 & walked away to sea... survived storms, grounding & near founderings, arrest by Red Guards for insulting Chairman Mao & going adrift in Panamanian forest. Back in England bought leaky old sailing boat to sail round the world - got as far as the English Channel.

Turned down for dishwasher’s job in a greasy-spoon cafe (a career low); went to college to study Maths; switched to Art; took up woodcarving.

Worked as joiner, metalwork teacher, seaman (again), postman, woodwork teacher and finally,  rocking-horse designer, maker & restorer (which stuck).

I have written 6½ books, mostly about making & restoring rocking-horses. Latest: The Complete Rocking-Horse Maker 2 - comprehansive how-to-do-it manual; AND Making It with Rocking-Horses - an intimate memoir. SEE NEWS.

Also articles in woodworking, marine and aviation magazines, stories (long & short), poems.

I love making things (marmalade, several workshops & a house) but especially wooden toys (for both children & adults). I still make rocking toys, fly a paraglider and live in sunny rural Yorkshire with my lovely new/old wife. I have recently taken up sailing again, in an old but wooden sloop I have restored.