About Bill Pyke - fine woodworking Nova Scotia
A lifetime of working with wood - a partnership of design & materials
Robin Pyke photo
Bill Pyke was born and bred in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Lunenburg, first settled in 1753, enjoys an historic, yet still thriving, reputation for its fine builders and shipwrights, including those of the Original Bluenose and Bluenose II.
Bill's grandfather was himself a well-respected contractor whose credits include a church in Feltzen South, several houses in Lunenburg and the last Cross Island lighthouse. As a young man, Bill followed his grandfather into woodworking. He's been at it ever since.
In 1967, Bill Pyke took on his first job. "Neptune Theatre was looking for stage crew," he recalls. For the next 12 years, he built theatre scenery across Canada and into the United States, then overseas in Paris and London.
In Toronto, he was the technical director of the theatre departments at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto Opera School.
After a stint as a house-builder, he left construction. By choosing the finer side of the trade, he could take the time to do the job: a fitting tribute to the look, versatility and strength of the design, the wood, and the project.
Alex Pyke - Bill's son - has recently started working with his Dad. Alex is a talented and creative guy, with lots of energy and ideas. Working with Bill gives him the opportunity to learn in an apprentice-type role and take good advantage of his father's years of experience. It also complements nicely with his course work from NSCC's two-year Heritage Carpentry Program.
When not learning from his Dad, Alex plays guitar (and other instruments), composes music and songs and enjoys time with his dog Millie - a rambunctious, sweet Retriever.
Robin Pyke photos