Colin Telfer (1938–2016) was an ex colliery worker from Maryport on the Solway Coast of Cumbria. He had been a winder working at the pit tops of Risehow, Lowca and Solway Collieries and later hen took a job at Distington Engineering Company as a recorder. All jobs ended in redundancy. He then enrolled on a course at Carlisle College of Art where he was inspired by his sculpture tutor, Arthur Milne. Choosing materials he was familiar with, Telfer began to experiment sculpting from wood covered with a mixture of resin and iron ore dust from the Florence Mine at Egremont.