Courses

Because of my experience as a teacher I am used to analysing the difficulties involved in techniques and I have learnt to minimise the amount of interference from me!

So, courses are informal, hands on, one-to-one (or couples) and aimed at the particular interests of the student. The intention is that ideas are explained briefly and then learnt by experience.

They extend from 9.00am to 5.00pm with coffee/tea breaks and light lunch.

Courses are usually two or three days (the third day sometimes being taken after an interval). The beginners course deals with safety, tool selection and sharpening, and principles of spindle and faceplate turning.

I also try to ensure that form and design are considered at all stages. Timber is supplied and the objects made are for the student to keep. Gift vouchers for courses are available.

The view from my workshop window, across Romney Marsh.

Previous Students have said:

"Once again thank you very much for a very enjoyable three days. We both feel we got everything we could have hoped for - and more. Your determination to make certain we saw our projects through to completion as perfectly as you possibly could gave us the confidence to believe we do have the dexterity to take up woodturning..."
Sheila

"... Looking back over 30+ years of 'educational' courses it was a real treat to spend time with someone who was actually capable of doing the job themselves to a very high standard..."
Geoff

"Tom, you have a real gift for teaching - exactly the right balance, for me, of help, suggestion and being left alone, which left me wanting to carry on endlessly."
Chelsia

Demonstrations

I am always prepared to demonstrate to groups of woodturners or other interested groups. I have given talks or demos on, amongst other things, involuted turning, natural edge forms, wind instruments and making long, thin stemmed goblets, revealing medullary rays and off centre turning.

In the event of an unsuccessful bit of turning, I also have a specialist wood disposal unit!