Trained initially as a Coach-painter in the late sixties he has worked on narrow boats continually for more than three decades. He has always aimed to work in a style that reflects the look and feel of the real canal tradition and continues to do so today, constantly learning and researching the history of his trade.

Phil offers the following services ;
Boat Signwork and Traditional Decoration, Back-cabin and external Graining. Coach-Painting, Lining
and authentic canal Painted Ware. No Giftware in any shape or form!

In recent years he has extended his market to include the occasional signwork and coach painting on heritage vehicles although canal boats remain his main focus.

His recent move, with his (very tolerant) wife Zita , plus dogs , cat, horses, Alfa Romeos, motorcycle and so on, to the Highlands of Scotland has caused rumours of his retirement – but it isn't so, not for a few years yet (see above – particularly horses and Alfa Romeos. His enthusiasm for boat decoration is the only one of many that brings an income!). To counter the need for greater travelling expenses Phil arranges his diary so that he can do two or three jobs on every work trip to England as well as fitting boat work around the painting courses he runs near Stourbridge. This means that no one customer need pay an unreasonable amount beyond the price of the work itself.

Phil, with Zita, created Craftmaster Paints and was Managing Director for ten years during which time they developed and brought to market a comprehensive range of specialized paint products. These they successfully established throughout the canal, steam, fairground and vintage transport markets. Although Craftmaster is now owned and run by the Brown family of Over near Cambridge (friends as well as colleagues) Phil remains very much involved as Craftmaster's “Head of Technical”.

His boat painting business at Dadford's Wharf Wordsley is now in the hands of his long time employee John Sanderson and Chris Lucas – John is still fit enough to do the job (perhaps “young enough” is nearer the mark!), and having been Phil's right hand man for fifteen years was the natural successor when the old man began to feel his age somewhat! Sanderson – Lucas are hugely talented and highly recommended by Phil himself – who does their signwork and decoration as often as is practical. Phil's last and best trainee, now colleague, Meg Gregory covers for Phil when he is not available and very often works alongside him when he is.

*Work on Gifford illustrated above could not have been completed on time without the highly skilled assistance of Meg Gregory and John Moore.

PAINTING COURSES:

Phil has run training courses in traditional painting for many years and many hundreds of people have, over that time, gained valuable practical knowledge, a grasp of the historic significance of boat decoration and had a good time doing so – despite Phil's selection of appalling bear jokes.

Courses for 2012 are still being arranged, information about others here soon.

MARCH 24th /25th March 2012, at the National Waterways Museum.

Some courses may be held at Red House Cone Museum in Wordsley near Stourbridge.
For details please contact ; richardhspeight@ntlworld.com  or 01838 400269