Watch: Shropshire woman sets her sights on life as a gunsmith
Outside of the shooting world, most people associate guns with men. But Laura Lewis is bucking this stereotype as she continues her training to be a gunsmith at her family business near Market Drayton.
Based in Tern Hill, Greenwood Gunsmiths offers a bespoke gun fitting service, as well as a repair service.
The business was formed by Tim Greenwood, who has been a gunsmith for the last 35 years. Now his daughter, Laura, 26, has decided to join her father as a joint business partner and apprentice.
She said: "I have been around the business for the last 10 to 11 years and have always been involved in some way.
"I went to university and got a job in sales in Brighton when I graduated.
"The opportunity then came up that my father was moving his business to Shropshire and I moved up as well."
Laura added: "I went straight into my apprenticeship here and have started learning all the skills needed. There is a lot to learn and it will take years but I am committed now."
Greenwood Gunsmiths undertakes action, stock and barrel work in a fully equipped workshop for both private individuals and the trade.
Laura added: "I am so glad we moved to Shropshire. It feels like coming home. The people are so welcoming and I love the open space. It is a beautiful part of the country."
She said there was no reason more women could not get into the gunsmith industry, adding: "The trade is quite a tricky one to get into but I would recommend it.
"There is a lot to learn but once I have the skills I want to perfect them and hopefully in 10 years' time I can take over the business and let my dad have a well deserved break. We provide our own fitting service and can adapt a gun to fit any person.
"We also do a service and a full range of repairs. We do re-blacking for barrels, which is essential. At the moment our turnaround time is about three to four weeks." Tim Greenwood, owner, said he was "very pleased" with his move to Shropshire.
He added: "Most of my life has been spent in the South East of England, working for retailers and individuals, including some of the UK's top shots from all over Britain including Northern Ireland. With my recent move to the West Midlands I finally have a workshop more suited to my business, with space to expand the services I can offer to all of the shooting fraternity."
