WHITEHILL and Bordon town councillor and artist Roger Russell was given the chance to display his work, at a craft and design fair at the Royal Horitcultural Society (RHS) Garden Wisley.

Described by organisers as “the most popular contemporary craft event in the UK”, the fair featured “everything from topiary to glass blowing”.

Visitors could try and buy different works. Having spent years honing his wire-sculpting skills, Mr Russell was a demonstrator artist, sharing techniques with fellow creative people over the bank-holiday weekend.

He said the event, which ran from Thursday to Monday at the RHS’ flagship garden in Surrey, “went really well”. And, as he was “inundated with offers”, it proved well worth his time.

Mr Russell’s attending the event started with a photograph of one of his sculptures, a miniature fairy, being featured in some of RHS Wisley’s promotional material. Taken against a blue-sky backdrop, it was thought the piece was far taller than just a few inches.

Now he is focusing his attention on scaling the work up - both creating larger versions of his sculptures and transforming a hobby into a business.

Mr Russell works full time as a gardener and teaches at the weekends. But, at age 57, he said the day job is getting harder, so he hopes to dedicate more of his time to art.

And with enquiries for teaching and the possibility of commissions on the horizon, Mr Russell said it was “all looking quite good”.

“It’s sort of taken off,” he added - a remarkable feat for a little fairy made of wire.

To see his work and learn what he can teach, visit rogerrussell1960.co.uk.