Many of our members offer training courses for those new to turning, intermediate turners and also for more experienced turners looking for specialised tuition. All our tutors have many hours of hands-on experience delivering professionally structured courses in well equipped workshops, with an emphasis on health and safety, and where you can be assured you will receive top class tuition individually tailored to your requirements and ability.
If you’re a beginner or wish to learn new woodturning techniques our members can offer training in every aspect of woodturning.
When you book a training session with an RPT member, you can be certain that you will receive top quality tuition from a highly skilled turner who has years of woodturning and teaching experience.
Below are all the registered professional turners who offer a teaching service, randomly ordered. Click their name to view the complete details, or use the ‘Show Bio’ or ‘Show Map’ links for a quick view.
Colin has been working with wood for over 35 years. Wood turning is a integral part of my career – working in wood – Furniture, Turning, Letter carving and a select number of wood turning courses. Whether a piece of treen, a turned component on a piece of furniture or using the “practice” of turning to enable a jig to be made on a complex furniture design. As well as everyday small batch turned treen, Colin has a particular interest in geometrical sculptural shaped pieces using the natural beauty of timber, but in addition understanding the selection of timber for such pieces. In addition to this the use of colour to pronounce grain formations using traditional techniques when time permits. Most of Colin’s designed individual pieces are made to commission, with the majority involving some turning. (This includes public, private and ecclesiastical work) In addition to commissioned pieces, Colin sells his work from his workshop/showroom by appointment, some of the Sussex Guild exhibitions. (others listed on my website). Colin also runs a limited number of turning courses every year………. A recent commission as lead collaborator, was part of a four craftspeople job. A new Crosier for The Bishop of Stepney (London) in Laburnum, with Stainless Steel connectors. A Pewter Crosier Head with an Anodised Kingfisher and an embossed leather carrying case. Other notable commissions in the past have included – Offertory Bowls for Portsmouth Cathedral, Turned Components for the Lord Chancellors apartments, Turned components on Choir stalls and a Thurible Stand (Ecclesiastical) (both part of larger commissions made within the workshop) Colin mainly uses local timber for his pieces but occasionally does use exotic timbers because of their pure colours that emphasise the turned or sculptural form. You are welcome to come to my workshop to view products and discuss commissions – however this is strictly by appointment.
WorkUnit 44Holmebank Business ParkWest YorkshireMirfieldWf148naEnglandworkWork Phone:01924491949workWork Email:Fnyrf@gnlybefzvesvryq.pb.hxINTERNETWeb:Beginners Woodturning Experience Day
My woodturning journey started when I was in my early teens around the year 2000. After leaving school in 2002 I studied furniture making and restoration, whilst working part time in a Woodturning supply shop. I then took a hiatus and went into education and worked in a school. Coming back to woodturning in 2014 when I set up Taylors Mirfield.
5 years ago I went full time with my little shop and, as they say, have never looked back!
In 2020 I was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners.
I now offer a broad range of pen turning and woodturning supplies as well as offering tutoring within our purpose build classroom, and now demo’s.
I have always liked wood as material, but it was not until 2009 that I first tried out a lathe. In 2010 I started to learn how to turn at the Max Carey Trust in Portishead, where I completed the first two courses. I then put together a third course, the Artisan, that extended skills and techniques.
Inspired in part by books, articles, demos, courses and seminars, both here in the UK, in France and the USA, I enjoy experimenting with many different techniques, materials and designs. As well as mixing woods together, other materials such as resins, pewter and soapstone provide extra variety. Many forms of decoration are used, especially airbrushing and texturing techniques. Having an engineering background, I like to complement it with right brained creativity in coming up with new ideas related to woodturning.
I have participated in many exhibitions and instant galleries over the years and continue to explore possibilities and try out new ideas. Numerous articles have been produced for several publications. My website gallery illustrates the particularly wide range of turned items.
I have been working with wood for most of my adult life. I became a professional turner in about 1981 and was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners in 2009. I became the Chairman of the RPT in 2016 stepping down from the role in 2021. I was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Turners of London in November 2020. I am one of the few turners in the country to earn my living through turning. I undertake commercial work for the building industry such as stair spindles and newel posts, I also work for furniture makers producing legs and other componentry for their bespoke designs and carryout repairs for the antiques industry. I am a members of Wiltshire Crafts of Lacock which is a co-operative craft outlet.I also enjoy demonstrating at woodturning clubs and since Covid I also now offer live remote demonstrations. As a qualified adult educator I give woodturning lessons in my workshop in Wiltshire.
WorkJarrow Business CentreUnit 321Rolling Mill RoadJarrowTyne and Weartyne and wearNE32 3DTUnited KingdomworkWork Phone:0191-4283320workMobile:+447533720285workfaxWork Email:zvpx1.wbuaf@bhgybbx.pbzINTERNET
I started turning 1n 1980 not long after completing a 3 year apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. I bought a coronet elf along with a one day beginners course with Alan Batty , from that day on I was hooked and turning has been a part of my every day life since . I started my own business in 1996 as a production turner /furniture maker supplied other businesses with table legs ,stair spindles, newel posts, drawer knobs a whole manner of things . I also enjoyed making craft items for sale at craft fairs and country shows .More recently I have started teaching and demonstrating and I am looking forward to developing this side of my business along side my production turning. you can always be assured of a warm welcome and a passionate interest in all genre of turning.
Les left a career in special needs teaching in January 2015, to pursue a life-long interest in working with wood, by developing his hobby of woodturning, which he had commenced just 2 years earlier. He is based in the town of Bala, in the Snowdonia National Park where he has his principal workshop and where he sources most of his raw materials. Whilst he is content to make functional, utilitarian pieces, Les prefers to work with storm-damaged and weathered timber, incorporating materials such as leather, copper, silver and semi-precious stones into his work. Les’s work has been included in both the on-line gallery and in the printed newsletter of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain, and he has had the honour of having more than 30 of his more artistic pieces declared ‘Woodturning of the Week’ by an international woodturners’ web-site. and his work has been exhibited in galleries and arts centres throughout north Wales. In March of 2015, upon setting up his business, Les set himself the goal of developing his wood-turning skills to a sufficiently high level to be accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners, and he gained this accolade in February 2016, becoming one of only four registered woodturners then working in Wales. With a first-class honours degree in Education and Training, and with years of experience in adult education, a natural progression of Les’s work is the tutoring that he commenced in 2017 and which has since become a major element in his woodturning business. Since 2018 Les has been a regular feature writer and Guest Editor for the world-famous “Woodturning” magazine, which is published by The Guild of Master Craftsmen – GMC Publications. Primarily Les writes articles of a practical, project-based nature, but also occasionally articles of technical content.
Robert at Kraftinwood has a spacious fully equipped workshop including a VB36 as well as two other lathes, a 181″ bandsaw and a fully ducted cyclone dust extraction system as well as many tools and cutters ~ up to 2 metres+ in length !!. Robert teaches wood turning to beginners through to seasoned turners wishing to enhance their skills and try out various techniques and aspire to learn about creative design rather than just turning wood. Robert also stocks turning blanks, Hamlet and Hope tools. Kraft Village also has a large contemporary Public Art gallery of various artists work in a range of mixed mediums, here you will normally see over 500 of Roberts exquisite turned and carved pieces on display and for sale. You will also at Kraft Village Chair Making Museum CIC usually see Robert giving a guided tour which includes everything about the wonderful Heritage of chair making in the area including a demonstration on the shave horse, pole and treadle lathes of how the Bodgers made the round parts to produce 4,700 Windsor chairs a day !!! (at its peak in 1875).
I was born and raised in Yorkshire and began woodturning after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. At that time I worked in heavy industry and continued there until I realised that this job involved far too many risks for someone with sensory problems so I began looking for something new and challenging to occupy my time. I have always been active and for some reason fascinated by fast moving machinery (mainly motorbikes and drag cars). I had up to that point preferred metalwork to woodwork (on the basis that if you made a mistake with wood you couldn’t weld it back together!) My first attempt at woodturning was a bowl, turned on a 19th century engineering lathe using a couple of homemade tools (highly dangerous and not to be encouraged!); that’s when I realised I had found a craft that I not only enjoyed immensely, but one for which I had natural ability. I hurriedly purchased “proper” tools and made much better progress. After a while I needed an outlet for my work and started to attend local craft fairs, selling work in order to fund more trips to the wood suppliers for timber to play with. I also joined the local Woodturning Club and began to expand my aptitude and design skills, gaining confidence with experience. I subsequently gained NVQ 3 in Woodturning and in 2002 achieved City & Guilds 7307 teaching certificate. In 2004 I was honoured to be accepted on to the Register of Professional Turners. I have been a tutor at John Boddy’s Wood & Tool Store for several years, until they closed. I have demonstrated at various clubs and wood suppliers nationally.
I have a purpose built workshop at home where I teach, usually on a one to one basis, beginners and intermediate levels. All teaching incorporates Health and Safety instruction and advice on safe practice. I also undertake commissions including private, architectural and commercial pieces and have work exhibited Nationally.
Covid 19 almost put a stop on teaching and demonstrating,( it is now [2022] starting to make a comeback) thankfully I had the production/commission side to take in the slack, I now work with six joinery companies and three staircase companies
Although I am happy to work with moist types of timber, I have always been drawn to timber with interesting grain patterns and inclusions of bark, faults, and even the odd nail etc. (the sort of stuff that many would condemn to the log basket). I can often be found rummaging in log piles looking for that special piece of timber which can, and often does, produce a wonderful and unique piece of work.
Most of the time I have an idea in mind when I embark on a project; but occasionally the piece of timber I am working has other ideas entirely and I end up going down a completely different track – it’s all about putting the right shavings on the floor! I always look to work with mother nature in whatever piece I produce, she has infinitely more experience than I.
ALL my timber is sourced either locally (often damaged or fallen trees etc.) or from reputable timber merchants who in turn obtain wood from managed, renewable sources.
I have always had a very positive attitude to life and believe that boundaries are there to be pushed. So what if I have no feeling in my hands or my legs don’t want to work – it won’t stop me doing what I love to do; If I can’t do it one way I WILL find an alternative. What started out as a hobby has become a passion and a way of life and I love to share both my creativity and my knowledge with anyone who will listen.
Woodturner, author and tutor based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. I like to incorporate colour in some of what I do and over the years have tried a wide variety of techniques and surface decorations. Courses take place in my workshop in the Forest of Dean. More information can be found on my “Woodturning for Woodturners” website. I sell my work through exhibitions, galleries and direct on my website. I also do commissions and commercial orders.
Pete Osborn taught Woodwork in various schools in the North West of England for over 30 years. Since retiring from teaching he has concentrated on Woodturning. He uses quite a lot of local hardwood from trees that have fallen in gales and other timbers that are used are either reclaimed or from sustainable sources. The items he makes are sometimes useful (e.g. fruit bowls) or sometimes ornamental (e.g. goblets), but all are finished to a high standard using the best quality polishes, oils and waxes.
He is currently Chairman of the Eden Valley Woodturners group and an active committee member with the Cumbria Woodturners Association.
I have been involved with wood in some capacity for the majority of my life. I worked as a saw doctor prior to becoming Company Director of the family timber mill.
However, 1998 saw another change of direction for me, it felt like a natural progression to become a full time woodturner.
In 2001 I was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners
I have been woodturning for about 31 years and sell my work through select galleries and the National Trust.
I am also proud to have been given the job of Editor of the internationally renowned Magazine Woodturning which I held for two years. I have written regularly for this and other magazines.
I have demonstrated the craft of woodturning in USA, New Zealand and throughout Europe.
I enjoy teaching my craft to beginners and can offer useful advice to the more experienced turner. I run woodturning courses both in my own workshop in Devon and at West Dean College in West Sussex. If you want more information about my woodturning courses and the tuition I give, please contact me
Having retired from the army in 2017 after 33 years in the Royal Artillery, I was able to return to a hobby I first started at school, but had never had the time to pursue properly. I was hugely fortunate to train under the internationally acclaimed Master Turner, Stuart Mortimer, whose support and encouragement steered me to become a full time turner in 2018. I turned professional in 2019 with the launch of Butterwood and was accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners in September the same year. I am a regular at the Salisbury Arts Scene events, am a member of the Artful Collective and have exhibited in several local galleries and art events.
With a passion for all wood, I initially concentrated on segmented designs that make the most of the huge variety of colour and grain found in both domestic and exotic hardwoods. However, with so many aspects to wood turning, I am continually trying different techniques in order to expand my repertoire. Currently I am working on a series of bowls inspired by garden flowers that have started me down the carving route and I have been very lucky to enter into a collaboration with a local jeweller, Monica Wilson, who is producing a series of insects in Sterling Silver for me to incorporate into my pieces.
I undertake commissions and like to include my clients in every step from design to production. This has frequently including the use of a clients own wood, especially where the tree had sentimental value. I am also very keen to share my love of turning and offer instruction and taster days at my workshop in the beautiful Avon Valley using locally sourced timber.
On 24th April 2019, I was awarded the honour of Master in Turning, in recognition of my contribution the art and mystery of the craft of turning. This was awarded to me by an Electoral College, comprising of representatives from the Worshipful Company of Turners, The Society of Ornamental Turners, The Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers. In 1975, at the age of 16, Gary started a three year apprenticeship with a small woodturning company in Chesham called Joseph Reynolds. After 18 months was put on piece work turning mainly peppermills and kitchen ware. This experience was to help enormously when he became self-employed in 1987. However, prior to this was a 10 year period with another woodturning firm turning stair balusters and chair parts. It was at this point that Gary became involved with Stewart Linford of High Wycombe who makes the famous Windsor Chair and exports world-wide.It is since becoming self-employed that Gary has made his mark on the woodturning scene, with success in competitions, articles of his work in various woodworking magazines, and demonstrating for trade companies. One of these being Racal, where Gary demonstrated their respirator for several years and was involved heavily in its promotion at woodworking exhibitions. Exhibitions include the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham, Wembley, Axminster in Devon as well as woodturning clubs all over Great Britain, Belgium, France, Channel Islands, Ireland, Norway and two Utah Symposiums in Provo, Salt Lake City and Iceland. Gary has also demonstrated twice at the AWGB International Seminar at Warwick University. Gary is also on the Register of Professional Turners. Gary is considered one of the fastest and most accurate production woodturners in the U.K and is one of only a few whose income comes solely from woodturning.
Gary has a customer base of approximately 500, some of these are supplying such places as Harrods and Liberty’s and has also produced work for the homes of the Duke of Westminster and British celebrities. Gary was also asked to turn a wooden baby rattle, which was presented to Prince Harry on the birth of his son Archie.
Gary has also produced tools for the woodturner, notably his round skew chisels which come in different sizes, lightpull drive, Box Scraper and his Easybead tool. He can turn his hand to spindle turning, bowl turning, hollow forms and twists and says that he will make anything from a lace bobbin to a billiard table leg.
Gary has been asked to teach on numerous occasions by Craft Supplies and has been teaching at Craft Supplies in France past two years. Axminster Power Tools plus many individuals. You can often see him taking a Master Class at various shows and has taught for three days at Axminster but due to the demands of his production business does not always have the time.
One of the things I really enjoy about this craft is the range of different types of woodturning , from segmented work , general lathe work such as newel posts, sets of table and chair legs , furniture repairs and lately spinning wheels which have become an interest , even letter carving which can be added to a turned item or as a stand alone piece there is always things to learn and pass that knowledge on to students
Based at Porchfield Business Park near Newport on the Isle of Wight, The Mulberry Tree Woodturnery was started in March 2013 by Andy Fortune.
Andy had been a hobby wood turner since 1997 with the purchase of his first lathe and later started his full-time wood turning business with the help and support of his wife, Nikki.
Andy has many years of experience and specialises in making bowls, platters and hollow forms from locally sourced timber from the Isle of Wight but can also offer specialist bespoke turning services for most types of turning.
Many of Andy’s one-off signature pieces are laced with leather or copper wire in the style of the Japanese philosophy of ‘Wabi-Sabi’ and are made from individually selected pieces of timber sourced on the island.
Andy sells his own unique hand crafted turnery, takes commissions, and sells direct to the public at the Mulberry Tree Woodturnery workshop where he also provides his 5* rated beginner and intermediate bowl turning courses for individuals or groups of up to four people.
Andy is an active member of the Wight Woodturners which meets twice monthly in Newport. (www.wightwoodturners.org.uk)
The Mulberry Tree Woodturnery is the main Isle of Wight agents for Record Power tools and equipment, Robert Sorby, Chestnut Finishing Products and Hampshire Sheen.
With the recent addition of a horizontal sawmill Andy is now able to process locally sourced trees which he converts into boards and bowl blanks to retail to local woodworkers, hobbyists and the building trade.
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