Former Stamford School teacher John Crampin holds first exhibition, at Willoughby Gallery in Corby Glen
When school teacher John Crampin retired, he settled on an unusual hobby.
While many take up cooking, travelling or playing bowls in their spare time, John reached for a hammer and chisel and has turned out more than 100 sculptures.
Mainly working in stone - but sometimes in metal - he is displaying his work at the Willoughby Gallery in Moreley’s Lane, Corby Glen.
The former maths teacher and director of studies at Stamford School started stone carving thanks to a weekend course with Martin Barrett at Burghley Sculpture Garden.
John, who lives in Carlby, admits his first sculpture was "shaped like the football World Cup" but he has honed his skills and enjoys how involving the craft can be.
"It takes weeks to carve stone and although those who learned at a younger age are much faster, I find it very satisfying," he said.
"I've come to it in retirement and so making a living is not a requirement."
Despite this, John, whose influences include Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, hopes to sell a few pieces at Willoughby Gallery.
The exhibition started on Wednesday and runs until May 10. The gallery is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from midday to 5pm, and on bank holiday Monday, when people can 'meet the artist' from 1pm.