ONCE a life necessity, now a rare skill, Paul Bradshaw from Nowra knows a thing or two about leather work.
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Entering the Sydney Royal Easter Show for the eighth year in a row, this year he won first prize for his heavy horse harness.
“I was 14-years-old when I made my first bull halter and I’ve been working with leather ever since,” he said.
“I learnt from an old saddle maker in Nowra by the name of Kevin Bindin.
“I come from a horse background and I had asked him to fix a harness for me.
“He said, ‘No, but I’ll show you how to do it’, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“I’m probably the only saddle maker left in Nowra.”
As you walk in to Mr Bradshaw’s home, you are overwhelmed with the warm, comforting smell of leather and hanging on just about every wall is a specially-crafted and beautiful leather piece.
“I can make saddles, heavy horse harnesses, bridles, halters, it’s just something I really enjoy,” he said.
Mr Bradshaw said he would love to pass his skills on one day, but it looks like he’ll have to wait until he has retired.
In the meantime, everyone can enjoy his handy work until the Royal Easter Show finishes on April 23. Let us know if you did well at the show. Phone 4421 9123.