Instagram story viewer> @ben_the_cat_guy> Tagged

ben_the_cat_guy

@ben_the_cat_guy

930

followers

1820

following

Human of varied talents
Proudly Anti-AI
Photography account: @benwilloughby.photography

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Finally got round to making a @makerscentral post! I had a great time volunteering on the
@makewithmakers stand running the Scrap Wood Challenge! 🪵 Thanks again to @ryobitoolsuk who sent me tools last year, that we used again 💚 as always the best bit is catching up with all my maker friends and making new ones too! Many more than those feature in the few photos I took! Until next year... #makersgonnamake

82

21

Isn’t it beautiful?

117

18

Day 1 of Makers Central 2026. Of course I didn't take nearly enough pictures but here's what I got. So grateful for the good people around me ❤️

131

17

Another year, another Maker Central ❤️

The convention itself is incredible — filled with amazing creators, inspiring exhibits, and hands-on experiences that spark creativity everywhere you look. But if I’m honest, that’s not the main reason I go anymore.

What started as a love for making has turned into something so much bigger: the people. The makers community. Our little makers family that I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of. Even if I was just down for a partial day!

There’s something so special about being surrounded by people who create simply because they love it. Sharing stickers, little handmade gifts, ideas, encouragement, and seeing all the wonderful things everyone brings to life each year — it genuinely fills my heart.

Every time I leave Maker Central, I leave inspired, grateful, and reminded how lucky I am to know such talented and kind humans.

Also, I got me a Klingon bat’leth in the makers swap which I love (and did go attack some droids (and Felix)) with #trekieforlife

Also… once again, I didn’t take nearly as many photos as I intended because I was far too distracted by all the banter/craic 🤣 But a surprising amount of the photos I did take were on the TINY CAMERA, and honestly, it’s definitely coming back with me next year for more adventures.

I also leave with a healthy dose of imposter syndrome… but maybe that’s a conversation for another post someday.

And if I forgot to tag anyone, I’m so sorry, I’ve run out of tag limits (rude instagram!) — but I hope you all know how much you mean to me 🖤

#makerscentral #buildsharecreate #familygathering #MakersGonnaMake

51

24

🌱Greenhouse Residency 2026🌱
What a dreeeeaaaamm to have been picked to bop about at @thegeorgiantheatre_stockton for a week, writing original music and picking up lots of industry golden nuggets wahooo🥳 keep eyes peeled for more gigs very soon🐮💛 Piccies by @ben_the_cat_guy

148

13

Shots from our Lo-Fi set at @pealiesbarn opening for @dreamwaveband_official

We had a blast! More announcements soon to come…

Thanks for the photos! @ben_the_cat_guy

3

1

What a weekend @makerscentral was I got a collection of stickers for Felix and truly felt the love with all the great gifts.

I was fortunate enough to win the book nook that martin from @oakfields_creative creative made this has now become a nightlight in Felix’s room 🤣.

On Sunday, I won some really cool handmade books and a Welsh love spoon from our very own Andy Pugh @andycpugh

To my surprise, Aish @irechan came even though she wasn’t able to, somehow she collaborated with Katherine and completely surprised me. I’m not gonna lie I was so happy to see her face. She also brought me some awesome gifts not pictured are the whiskey glass and the skull ice mould that she got.

Andy also made a custom Welsh love spoon for Katherine and I.

The awesome Sam from @sam_paskin_woodturning gave me this really cool vintage belt buckle.

My good buddy Rich @jonlemouche gave me some leather so I can make a set of leather tarot cards 😍.

Sorry if I didn’t tag you guys in this post but that’s part one for now 🔥.

64

17

Another brilliant year at Makers Central in Birmingham.
A weekend filled with new and old friends, lots of laughter, incredible demos, inspiring tools, and so many talented makers doing what they do best ✨

What I love most about this event is the community behind it all, people sharing skills, ideas, encouragement, and genuine friendships. Already looking forward to next year.

#MakersCentral #MakerCommunity #MakersGonnaMake #Design #creativecommunity

118

4

Thursday night’s sold out @highfademusic show was an absolute BLAST 🧡

Biggest show we’ve had in the actual Barn so far (excluding the Courtyard) and only the 3rd show on our new stage too. Thanks so much for being an excellent crowd & to the wonderful High Fade & @strawberrylaceband for playing such incredible sets!

Next up: Jam Night - this Monday 9th March - 7pm start - free entry

📸: photos by the excellent @ben_the_cat_guy

55

1

Good times @pealiesbarn 🎸

16

1

Did I do it again this year? Absolutely. 😅
Had so much fun catching up with so many incredible humans that I, once again, totally forgot to take enough photos 🤣

First things first — massive shoutout to @dean_makes for the top-tier banter all day! You’re an absolute gem. AND the fact I somehow won your charity raffle guitar AGAIN?! I’m officially a collector now 😂 Can’t wait to hang all three (on your awesome wall hooks, of course!).
@katwood25 — thanks for putting up with our antics… and I’m still after that blonde recipe 👀
@kate_acraftylass — your surprise gift at @odiesoil.uk made my day! Gutted I missed you this year, but I LOVE my wee dragon 🐉
@oakfields_creative — those bottle openers from our makers swap are absolute perfection 🔥
@create2make — absolutely loving the pen from our swap too. It’s going to get a LOT of use!
@brookeswoodbuild — always a pleasure, and I’ve missed your face!
@ben_the_cat_guy — great to see you again and bump into you all day yesterday!

One of the highlights this year was getting hands-on with plastic recycling thanks to the awesome @brothersmake — I learned so much about the process and absolutely loved making my own carabiners and bracelet from recycled plastic. Such a fun and eye-opening experience!

Also managed to sneak in quick hellos with legends like @jimmydiresta, @realcolinfurze, @nickzammeti, @brothersmake, and @jazzastudios — what a lineup 🙌

This event truly brings together the best of the best — amazing people, inspiring conversations, and creativity on another level. I’m still absolutely buzzing and know that feeling’s going to stick with me for days. Totally worth being shattered today 😂

If I missed tagging anyone, I promise it’s not on purpose — there are just so many of you awesome humans! Time for a coffee… then maybe a nap ☕😴
#grateful #makersgonnamake #eventhigh @howtogroup @makerscentral #stickerswap #letscreate #naptime #leathercraft #makerscentral2025 #charityraffle

53

11

Northallerton 10k finisher & PB (sub-50) 🥳🏃‍♀️
•
•
What a day yesterday was! My first attempt at the Northallerton 10k and it lived up to its reputation 🥵😂 came away with a not at all expected PB (thanks to Danny for dragging me to that 😆) after entering the week before on next to no training and running up those god awful hills (0/10 🤢) the support meant the world to me, especially down the home straight - can’t thank everyone who came out enough 🥹🫶
•
•
Stats: 49:33 (chip), 360/1310 overall, 67/600 female, 29/203 age cat 💪

73

3