New hobby for 2015? How about taxidermy?

A four-hour beginners’ class on the art of taxidermy will be held at the St Mary’s Centre, Clitheroe, on Saturday, January 10th, from 11am to 3pm.

It is being run by local man, bushcraft expert and taxidermist Chris Robinson, who explained the class is aimed at anyone with an interest in taxidermy, but with little or no practical experience.

“We’re going to be doing taxidermy on mice and giving the mouse an anthropomorphic pose or natural pose,” said Chris. “I will be taking people through the process step by step and joining them in the taxidermy process.”

Chris has developed his own skills over a number of years and is often asked to pass them on to others.

“I have always been interested in art of any type, but I was more of a ‘pencil to paper’ type of artist than stuffing animals,” explained Chris.

“Within the past six years I started working with leather and designing traditional wear and slowly picked up an interest in taxidermy. Bushcraft has to be the biggest influence as it made me appreciate life in any form and the passion to see something – whether it be buckskin used as a bag or a mouse posed in a human form – being used or recycled and appreciated for many more year to come.”

Up to 20 places are available on Chris’s taxidermy class, which costs £50, with all materials and tools provided.

Bookings should be made as soon as possible and for more information or to book a place, call Chris on 07984114080 or email him at: [email protected]

Examples of Chris’s work on mice, which will be the subject of his beginners’ taxidery class.