Last of the 1948 shelterbelt • In 4 active baskets right now • Only 64 left
Desmond's Nutcracker Candle Holder
Desmond's Nutcracker Candle Holder
Dispatched within 1–2 days
90-day returns policy
Free UK delivery with tracking
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Desmond's Nutcracker Candle Holder
Desmond’s Nutcracker Candle Holder
Turned, carved and finished entirely by hand from solid Scots pine, the shelterbelt his father planted in 1948. A real candle holder, and a piece you keep for good.
“When this pine is gone, the lathe gets a cover.”
The last of his father’s pines
Tom Ridley came home from the army in 1947 with a painted wooden soldier in his kitbag. The next spring he planted a row of Scots pines along the north edge of the hill farm above Rothbury.
When the soldier broke in 1974, his son Desmond turned him a new one, and has turned at least one every winter since. In November 2021 Storm Arwen brought the whole shelterbelt down. These nutcrackers are turned from the last of those trunks. There won’t be more.
Desmond RidleyEvery step, by one pair of hands
-
I
Turned
Head, body, legs and hat turned from blocks of Scots pine on his old lathe.
-
II
Carved
Crown points, jaw and joints shaped by hand with knife and gouge.
-
III
Painted or stained
Every brush stroke on the soldier, every coat of stain on the king.
-
IV
Checked and wrapped
Sanded smooth, checked for cracks, wrapped in tissue at his kitchen table.
Pick one up and you feel it: light, warm, smooth wood. Nothing cold, nothing hollow, nothing plastic.
Two nutcrackers, one pair of hands
The Painted Soldier
Modelled on the one his father brought home: red coat, green trousers and a gold crown with small red jewels, plus a JOY sign in his hand.
- Hand-painted in red, green, black and gold
- Soft white beard and hair
- Candle stands in the open top of his hat
The Natural Pine King
The same turning without paint. A deep walnut stain lets the grain of the pine show through.
- Walnut-stained Scots pine, satin finish
- Jointed arms, square stepped base
- Candle stands in a brass cup in his hand
Turned, not cast
Solid wood, made by hand
Head, body, legs and hat are each turned and carved from pine and fitted together by hand. No resin, no mould, no seam down the side.
A candle that stands straight
Made to hold a standard 22 mm dinner candle upright, so the wax stays off the coat and off your tablecloth.
Feels like an heirloom
Warm and smooth in the hand, satin finish, no sharp edges. Grain and brush strokes differ from piece to piece.
Made to last
If it ever gets knocked off the mantelpiece, wood can be glued. Resin can’t.
“You can feel the turning rings under the paint, and the candle cup is actually deep enough to use. That’s the old way of making them.”
Anne Forster, nutcracker collector, Berwick-upon-TweedDesmond’s vs. a shop-bought nutcracker
| Desmond’s | Typical shop one | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Solid Scots pine, turned | Cast resin or thin glued parts |
| Finish | Painted or stained by hand | Spray-painted on a line |
| Candle | Holds a dinner candle upright | Shallow dimple, candle leans |
| Made by | One man in Rothbury | A factory, by the thousand |
A gift that comes out every December
- One nutcracker candle holder, painted or natural
- Wrapped in tissue and boxed by hand, ready to give
- Free UK delivery, dispatched within 1–2 working days
- Candle not included, any standard 22 mm dinner candle fits
90 days to send it back, for any reason or none. Just email info@countycraftco.com.
Candles and care
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from curtains, greenery and the painted soldier’s beard. Dust with a soft, dry cloth, no water or polish. Because each piece is turned by hand, sizes can vary slightly.
Product details
| Material | Solid Scots pine, turned, carved and finished by hand |
|---|---|
| Painted Soldier | 25.5 cm (10 in) tall without candle, candle in the hat |
| Natural Pine King | 38 cm (15 in) tall without candle, brass candle cup |
| Fits | Standard 22 mm dinner candles (not included) |
| Made by | Desmond Ridley, Rothbury, Northumberland |
| Order by | 15 December for delivery before Christmas |
The 1948 Shelterbelt
The 1948 Shelterbelt
A note from Desmond:
My dad came home from the army in 1947 with a painted wooden soldier in his kitbag, and the next spring he planted a row of Scots pines along the north edge of our hill farm above Rothbury. When the soldier broke in 1974, I turned him a new one, and I have turned at least one every winter since.
Storm Arwen took the whole shelterbelt down in November 2021. These nutcrackers are turned from the last of those trunks. When they are gone, the lathe gets a cover over it.
Free UK Delivery
Free UK Delivery
Free delivery across the United Kingdom
- Dispatched within 1–2 working days, with tracking
- Every nutcracker is checked, wrapped in tissue and boxed by hand, ready to give
- Painted soldier: 25.5 cm tall (10 in). Natural pine king: 38 cm tall (15 in)
- Holds a standard 22 mm dinner candle (candle not included)
- Order by 15 December for delivery before Christmas
- 90-day money-back guarantee — just email info@countycraftco.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? Here's how to reach us.
Got a question? Here's how to reach us.
My granddaughter Holly and I personally answer every email, as quickly as we can. Whether you have a question about your order or about which nutcracker to choose, we're here.
You can reach us:
- Mon – Fri: 9:00 – 17:00 (UK time)
- Saturday: 10:00 – 15:00 (UK time)
Email: info@countycraftco.com
Can I return my order if I don't like it?
Can I return my order if I don't like it?
Of course. If the nutcracker isn't right, the size, the style or no reason at all, email us within 90 days and you get your money back. No restocking fee, no fuss.
How are your products made?
How are your products made?
Every nutcracker is turned by hand on the lathe from solid Scots pine, the shelterbelt Desmond's father planted in 1948. Head, body, legs and hat are turned as separate pieces and fitted together. The painted soldier is painted by hand in red, green, black and gold. The natural pine king is stained a deep walnut brown and holds a brass candle cup. Both take a standard 22 mm dinner candle (not included). Never leave a burning candle unattended.