This is a two-day course, by the end of which you'll have learned a complete 'tree-to-product' process - from selecting and cleaving green wood ready for turning to making a variety of small items for the kitchen and garden - spatulas, candlesticks, rolling pins, dibbers, string-lines and what-not. It's very satisfying to have made a whole bunch of different things and if you don't need them all, they make great gifts too. (Mind you, students say they find it hard to part with the fruits of their labours!)

This is very much for everyone - all levels of experience are welcome, from complete and utter nervous novice to hardy seasoned wood worker.

This course is hosted by myself and Mace Brightwater, an experienced coppice craftsman who is dedicated to sharing the pleasures of the 'tree-to-product' process. He is also an experienced teacher, not least of pole lathe turning with Mike Abbott of 'Living Wood' fame. Together, we demonstrate how to use pole lathes and shaving horses, along with green woodworking hand tools such as the side axe, froe and drawknife.

Working on a pole lathe is always particularly popular. Everybody seems to respond positively to the combination of treadling and shaping with the turning tools. It's a gently rhythmical way of working that uses both sides of the brain as you have to look, listen, feel, design and smell all at the same time. The experts say it's been shown to have therapeutic effects but, science aside, at the very least it's just a really relaxing and enjoyable thing to do.

Day one is spent learning the techniques, with us overseeing completion of your first kitchen or garden implement. On day two you are able to put your newly-learned skills to work, selecting from a range of projects that you'd like to work on, with myself and Mace supporting you as you go. By the end you should expect to feel confident enough to work on a pole lathe on your own.

Essential Information:

The course is for adults only, and costs £250.00 + VAT (£293.75) per person, including materials and delicious lunches, tea and coffee, biscuits and cake. Tools are also supplied for your use during the course within this price.

The days run from 9.00 (tea and coffee) for a 9.30 start and finish at approximately 5.00pm. As well as stopping for lunch, we break for tea, coffee, biscuits and cake during the morning and afternoon. We promise not to work you too hard! It's a really good, simultaneously relaxing and productive time.

We aim to down tools at approximately 5.00 p.m. on both days. If you are arranging to be collected then any time after 5.15 is good. However, at the end of day two we like to sit down for a glass of something ... so rather than miss out, it's best to plan for 5.30 onwards on the second day. Of course, whoever is collecting you is welcome to come down to the woods, any time after 5.00.

Sturdy footwear should be worn and although we can all comfortably work under shelter should it rain, it is worth bringing suitable clothing for the short walk across the meadow to the woodland workshop, and this path can get muddy. Full directions are supplied on booking.

The green wood we supply is locally and personally sourced from sustainable supplies and the finished items should give many decades of service and pleasure.

If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to contact me, Guy Mallinson, direct: guy@mallinson.co.uk.