BEING a chainsaw artist is not something that gets talked about a lot by careers teachers.

However, a college near Ludlow has produced one of the best.

Bedstone College welcomed back former pupil, Adam Humphreys, an internationally acclaimed chainsaw sculptor, conqueror of Mount McKinley and UK Ninja warrior finalist, as its guest of honour at the College’s GCSE Awards ceremony.

Before presenting the certificates, Adam spoke of his fascinating and varied life since leaving Bedstone College, speaking fondly of the school and how it had provided him with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in life.

Having grown up on a farm in Usk, Adam was adept at using a chainsaw, and he soon discovered a talent for wood-carving.

After selling a large number of his wood sculptures, he was able to fund a trip to Australia where he met renowned artist Peter Crisp, who offered him a residency at Crisp Galleries in New South Wales.

Adam’s love of the outdoors led him to climb Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak in 2012 and has inspired him to lead a team of injured soldiers on an expedition into the Canadian wilderness in 2018.

He told students that the increasing self-belief gained from climbing meant he was able to throw himself into his wood-carving once again.

Among the students receiving certificates were current fifth-form students collecting certificates for achieving A grades in their German GCSE exams, which they had sat a year early.

The bulk of the certificates were presented to the current lower-sixth students celebrating their success in GCSE exams. One of the highlights was that of Will Manley, a fifth-form student last year, who was collecting certificates for seven A* grades and four A grades.

The pupils and audience members had a chance to mingle after the ceremony, over drinks and canapes.

Amongst the large audience of parents in attendance, were a number of “OBs” – Old Bedstonians.

The Old Bedstonian Society, founded in 1956, now has more than 2,000 members spread across the world.