SCREWFIX CELEBRATES NEWTON ABBOT TOP TRADESPERSON CHAMPION WITH
AD VAN ANNOUNCEMENT

Astrid Arnold, a carpenter from Newton Abbot in Devon, is Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023.
An ad van displaying the good news, surprised Astrid as she worked on a customer’s house in Chagford on 3 November 2023.

The coveted award, which celebrates tradespeople across the UK and Ireland, saw local
carpenter and director of Touchwood South West stand out from the competition as she
competed against nine other talented tradespeople from across the UK.

Astrid, 48, wowed the panel of industry judges with her incredibly technical and stunning
carpentry work, her focus on sustainability within her business, and her passion for
supporting women in her local community to gain valuable DIY skills.

Astrid walked away with an ultimate trade bundle of tools, technology and training worth
£20,000 to help her grow her business. At the final of the competition, judges were
impressed to hear she would be using some of the prize to invest in secondary school
outreach and give young people more opportunities to follow a career in the trade.

Astrid said: “I’ve been blown away by the incredible amount of support Screwfix has given
me since winning Top Tradesperson. Walking away with the transformative £20,000 prize
bundle was amazing – and now to have my achievement recognised on a van in my home
county of Devon – it’s very special indeed. Not only will it raise awareness of my services in
the local area, but could also inspire more female tradespeople to join the industry, which is
so important to me.”

What Our Clients Say …

					I am a  Local Authority senior surveyor with  over 45 years experience in construction. I asked TouchWood South West to re-design and replace a sizeable oak porch on my 1930s home. From start to finish they were professional and reassuringly knowledgable. They played an important part in the design process, always keeping me updated.  Communications were excellent. Their attention to detail and workmanship were first class. And they treated my home with respect. It's refreshing to find someone who has a genuine pride in their work and the ability to deliver quality and value for money. Thank you Astrid.  I am absolutely delighted with the results and I would have no hesitation in recommending TouchWood.
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Boogey Woogey
Oct 2024
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Boogey Woogey
Oct 2024

						I am a  Local Authority senior surveyor with  over 45 years experience in construction. I asked TouchWood South West to re-design and replace a sizeable oak porch on my 1930s home. From start to finish they were professional and reassuringly knowledgable. They played an important part in the design process, always keeping me updated.  Communications were excellent. Their attention to detail and workmanship were first class. And they treated my home with respect. It's refreshing to find someone who has a genuine pride in their work and the ability to deliver quality and value for money. Thank you Astrid.  I am absolutely delighted with the results and I would have no hesitation in recommending TouchWood.
					
					Full Trust Clear headed Clean headed Engaged Focused Collaborative Talks the work through Takes in what is said Offers possibilities and positively problem-solves to a solution Fully engages with both the whole overview of what we are trying to achieve and how her work interrelates with the other trades, and, with the detail of each aspect she is working on at a time. Thinks things through.  Careful Punctual Respectful Kind Caring Calm and calming Hears Adaptable and understanding of other timings not going to plan Works steadily and methodically Brings a sense of calm and do-ableness and productivity and positiveness to the site.
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Anne Vine-Tester
Oct 2023
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Anne Vine-Tester
Oct 2023

						Full Trust Clear headed Clean headed Engaged Focused Collaborative Talks the work through Takes in what is said Offers possibilities and positively problem-solves to a solution Fully engages with both the whole overview of what we are trying to achieve and how her work interrelates with the other trades, and, with the detail of each aspect she is working on at a time. Thinks things through.  Careful Punctual Respectful Kind Caring Calm and calming Hears Adaptable and understanding of other timings not going to plan Works steadily and methodically Brings a sense of calm and do-ableness and productivity and positiveness to the site.
					
					We have had 2 pieces of work carried out - some stairs and also some book shelves. Both pieces of work have been beautifully constructed and finished. We are delighted with the results
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023

						We have had 2 pieces of work carried out - some stairs and also some book shelves. Both pieces of work have been beautifully constructed and finished. We are delighted with the results
					
					TouchWood South West, finished off an oak table I was making for me. They are a terrific reliable company to work with and the quality of their work is outstanding. Nothing is too much trouble. When my table was completed it was delivered back to me at home. The Managing Director, Astrid Arnold is a highly skilled, approachable, caring individual who always puts the needs of her clients first. I highly recommend TouchWood South West.
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023

						TouchWood South West, finished off an oak table I was making for me. They are a terrific reliable company to work with and the quality of their work is outstanding. Nothing is too much trouble. When my table was completed it was delivered back to me at home. The Managing Director, Astrid Arnold is a highly skilled, approachable, caring individual who always puts the needs of her clients first. I highly recommend TouchWood South West.
					
					I had two jobs done by Touchwood Southwest. An oak mantlepiece over the kitchen Stove and a pair of French doors between the house and a conservatory. Both jobs were finished on time and the craftsmanship was excellent. We are delighted with the company and would use them again
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023

						I had two jobs done by Touchwood Southwest. An oak mantlepiece over the kitchen Stove and a pair of French doors between the house and a conservatory. Both jobs were finished on time and the craftsmanship was excellent. We are delighted with the company and would use them again
					
					Astrid and the Touchwood SW team refurbished and extended our cabin. The standard of work is exceptional, it is beautifully crafted with attention to detail at every stage. They were very clear about the cost and time it would take, and we were informed of any changes. They were friendly but very hard working, there was no stopping to chat. They always arrived on time and worked the number of hours they said, they have a very clear work ethic. I have recommended Touchwood SW on several occasions. They are absolutely the best, in my opinion.
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023

						Astrid and the Touchwood SW team refurbished and extended our cabin. The standard of work is exceptional, it is beautifully crafted with attention to detail at every stage. They were very clear about the cost and time it would take, and we were informed of any changes. They were friendly but very hard working, there was no stopping to chat. They always arrived on time and worked the number of hours they said, they have a very clear work ethic. I have recommended Touchwood SW on several occasions. They are absolutely the best, in my opinion.
					
					We had alcove cupboards and shelves built in our lounge. They are absolutely beautiful and just as we wanted. Astrid from the beginning listened to what we wanted, asked all the right questions so there were no confusions/things not covered and was really thorough about seeing the space, measuring, providing images of how it would look and clarifying anything. The attention to detail from the start to the end was extremely impressive. Astrid is also a lovely person and an easy person to have in your home let alone whilst you're also working from home and juggling a 3 year old! She's very professional and personable too. Another really important factor to mention is we had been let down by 2 carpenters already who kept moving dates and then vanished. Then we were recommended Astrid and from the word go she was straight with us about timescales and everything she said she stuck to. We could tell straight away that when she said yes she would do the work and when by, that we weren't going to be let down. Would highly recommend her and her company to anyone on every front.
read moreread less
Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023
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Which Trusted Trader
Jul 2023

						We had alcove cupboards and shelves built in our lounge. They are absolutely beautiful and just as we wanted. Astrid from the beginning listened to what we wanted, asked all the right questions so there were no confusions/things not covered and was really thorough about seeing the space, measuring, providing images of how it would look and clarifying anything. The attention to detail from the start to the end was extremely impressive. Astrid is also a lovely person and an easy person to have in your home let alone whilst you're also working from home and juggling a 3 year old! She's very professional and personable too. Another really important factor to mention is we had been let down by 2 carpenters already who kept moving dates and then vanished. Then we were recommended Astrid and from the word go she was straight with us about timescales and everything she said she stuck to. We could tell straight away that when she said yes she would do the work and when by, that we weren't going to be let down. Would highly recommend her and her company to anyone on every front.
					
					Astrid and her team at Touchwood SW did a fantastic job of designing, building and installing our bookshelves. We are very happy with the result and I would highly recommend them.
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Dominic Hilton
Jul 2023
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Dominic Hilton
Jul 2023

						Astrid and her team at Touchwood SW did a fantastic job of designing, building and installing our bookshelves. We are very happy with the result and I would highly recommend them.
					
					Astrid and her team are excellent! Real attention to detail, no corners cut. Excellent craftsmanship. Excellent communication and pricing - we always knew what was happening, how long it was taking, how much.  We have recommended Astrid to loads of people who have then gone on to have work done. Highly highly recommended.
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Grace Emmerson
May 2023
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Grace Emmerson
May 2023

						Astrid and her team are excellent! Real attention to detail, no corners cut. Excellent craftsmanship. Excellent communication and pricing - we always knew what was happening, how long it was taking, how much.  We have recommended Astrid to loads of people who have then gone on to have work done. Highly highly recommended.
					
					The Touchwood team work with an excellent and highly considerate ethic. Their work is beautiful, meticulous and of very high quality. The team works together quietly an harmoniously, they treat the environment around their work with care and consideration. I highly recommend their work and feel fortunate to have found my way to them.
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Hilary Kneale
Oct 2022
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Hilary Kneale
Oct 2022

						The Touchwood team work with an excellent and highly considerate ethic. Their work is beautiful, meticulous and of very high quality. The team works together quietly an harmoniously, they treat the environment around their work with care and consideration. I highly recommend their work and feel fortunate to have found my way to them.
					
					Thank you so much for your recent work at my house. The doors look lovely. I have since had some great comments from family and friends about them and your work. 

I enjoy following you on FB and am so proud of what you do and how your work centres on empowering women and kids with fantastic skills and confidence.
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Ruth Watkins
Oct 2021
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Ruth Watkins
Oct 2021

						Thank you so much for your recent work at my house. The doors look lovely. I have since had some great comments from family and friends about them and your work. 

I enjoy following you on FB and am so proud of what you do and how your work centres on empowering women and kids with fantastic skills and confidence.
					
					After hearing about Astrid’s work as a carpenter, especially teaching women carpentry and other DIY skills, I commissioned her to design a driveway gate which would look “a bit out of the ordinary”. The result was extraordinary, and passers-by have repeatedly commented on its beauty and uniqueness – truly a piece of art … I’m just waiting for another opportunity to invite Astrid to let her creativity flow on another project.
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Roger Ash Wheeler
Dec 2020
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Roger Ash Wheeler
Dec 2020

						After hearing about Astrid’s work as a carpenter, especially teaching women carpentry and other DIY skills, I commissioned her to design a driveway gate which would look “a bit out of the ordinary”. The result was extraordinary, and passers-by have repeatedly commented on its beauty and uniqueness – truly a piece of art … I’m just waiting for another opportunity to invite Astrid to let her creativity flow on another project.
					

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