OUR STORY

our stone carving course grew from our family's love of art, food and the italian way of life.

here, you will carve amongst olive groves and ancient walls, where time seems to slow and you can savour the simple pleasures of a slower pace of life, good food and practice ancient skills in the art of carving stone.

tom, our master carver, teaches with a deep respect for tradition - helping each guest discover the rhythm and beauty of working with stone.

his mother annie welcomes you into her charming, rustic home. her husband ciccio - A LOCAL CHEF - cooks FOR YOU from the heart, serving delicious meals that celebrate local produce and flavours.

both are a font of local knowledge, and always on hand to recommend local spots to visit.

grace, tom's partner and workshop technician, keeps tools sharp and spirits high WITH A BACKGROUND IN Forest School SEN EDUCATION, SHE IS ON HAND TO HELP WITH humour PATIENCE and warmth.

together, we invite you to slow down, connect with your hands and experience the beauty of italian life.

THE COURSE

Meet The Team

TOM

Tom is a Master Carver with a warm, calming teaching style shaped by many years of teaching in both professional and therapeutic settings. His approach is patient, grounding, and encouraging — developed through extensive work supporting SEN and SEMH learners, where emotional safety, confidence-building, and steady, reassuring guidance are essential.

He has taught private students at every level, from absolute beginners and relaxed hobbyists to experienced sculptors and industry professionals seeking to refine or upskill their technique. Tom combines deep technical mastery with down-to-earth humour, making the demanding craft of stone carving accessible, enjoyable, and achievable for everyone. Whether helping someone make their very first chisel mark or coaching an established carver through complex tooling, he creates an atmosphere where people can slow down, reconnect with creativity, and surprise themselves with what they can produce.

Tom’s background includes decades of carving experience, a Distinction in Historic Stone Carving from the City & Guilds of London Art School, a BA (Hons) in Education, and a PGCE with QTS. He is the founder of London Stone Carving Ltd and has worked on major heritage projects including the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Pitzhanger Manor. With over a decade of specialist teaching behind him — across schools, therapeutic programmes, professional studios, and private tuition — Tom is regarded as one of the UK’s most experienced and versatile stone-carving teachers.

Learn more:
Website: https://www.tombrownstonecarver.com
London Stone Carving: https://www.londonstonecarving.com
Google Business Page: https://g.page/r/CX1uEbxTfCI_EBM
Master Carvers’ Association Profile: https://mastercarversassociation.org.uk/portfolio/tom-brown

ANNIE

Annie Hawes is a best-selling author known for her books on Italian life and culture, including Extra Virgin and A Handful of Honey. Her work is respected for its clear, insightful depiction of rural Italian traditions, daily life, and the people of Liguria.

Having lived in the Ligurian mountains for nearly thirty years, Annie has a detailed understanding of the region, its history, and its community. Warm and welcoming, she hosts guests in her historic home in Borghetto d’Arroscia and offers practical, first-hand knowledge of local routes, nearby towns, regional food, and cultural customs. Her experience and approachable manner help visitors feel at ease while gaining an authentic understanding of the area beyond the usual tourist view.

GRACE

Grace is a qualified Forest School teaching assistant with extensive experience working in SEN and SEMH settings. Practical, creative, and naturally warm, she has supported and facilitated outdoor learning and Forest School programmes for vulnerable young people, helping them develop confidence, independence, and a sense of safety in new environments.

She has also worked alongside Tom on stone carving courses, developing strong practical skills and a clear understanding of the tools, processes, and rhythms involved. This experience transfers naturally to the Italian courses, where she helps organise the workspace, support learners at all skill levels, and maintain a calm, enjoyable atmosphere throughout the week. Her humour, kindness, and charismatic presence make her especially effective in helping students settle in quickly and feel comfortable in a new country and setting. Grace brings a reassuring steadiness to the course, making the experience smooth, welcoming, and enjoyable from the moment guests arrive.

CICCIO

Ciccio has run Bar Del Centro for many years and has recently stepped back from the day-to-day management so that he can focus on offering special VIP dining experiences for food lovers and for the students on our course.

A lifelong resident of Liguria, Ciccio is an experienced chef known throughout the region for his humour, charisma, and deep local knowledge. Although he is no longer running the bar full-time, Bar Del Centro remains the lively hub of village life in Borghetto d’Arroscia, and Ciccio continues to be closely connected to it. He is also an olive farmer, producing exceptional extra virgin olive oil from groves that have been in his family for generations.

With a detailed understanding of local produce, seasonal ingredients, and traditional Ligurian cooking, Ciccio’s food is rooted in the landscape around him. He knows the farmers, foragers, and wine producers across the region, and can tell you where to find wild herbs, mushrooms, and other ingredients growing in the hills. His cooking plays a central role in the course, bringing together authentic flavours and the relaxed hospitality that defines life in the valley.

Learn more:
Bar Del Centro (Google Business): https://share.google/M77x7p7sbGhy7M58T
Bar Del Centro (TripAdvisor): https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g1554251-d10162791-Reviews-Bar_Del_Centro-Borghetto_d_Arroscia_Province_of_Imperia_Liguria.html