Carving Course Directory

We bring you this essential guide to carving courses so if you fancy improving your skills or learn something new, now is the time to sign up to a class in your area

ENGLAND: NORTH

Burton Manor

The Village, Burton, Neston, Cheshire CH64 5SJ

Creative Woodcarving. Welsh lovespoons and other objects. Sharon Littley teaches how to produce a hand carved project. New projects available for those who have attended a previous course.

Tel: 0151 336 5172

Email: enquiry@burtonmanor.com

Website

Higham Hall College

Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13

Woodblock printing 29-31 January 2010.

Weekend course in wildlife woodcarving with Ron Dickens. 5-7 March and 22-24 March 2010.

Tel: 017687 76276

Email: admin@highamhall.com

Website

John Boddy's Fine Wood and Tool Store Ltd

Riverside Sawmills, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire YO51 9LJ

A full programme of courses runs throughout the year in a custom-built school room. One- and two-day courses available. Free demonstrations take place most Saturdays.

Tel: 01423 322370

Email: info@john-boddys-fwts.co.uk

Website

The Rocking Horse Shop Ltd

Fangfoss, York, Yorkshire YO41 5JH

Carving courses with individual tuition given by Anthony Dew. The three-day Carve a Rocking Horse Head course runs throughout the year.

Tel: 01759 368737

Email: info@rockinghorse.co.uk

Website

ENGLAND: MIDLANDS & BORDERS

OH Boyd

Lincolnshire

Courses offered throughout the year for beginners, hobbyists or accomplished carvers. Residential weekends are tailored around students' individual needs with at least 12 hours of tuition. Tools will be provided if required. Full day masterclasses are available for groups of up to 8 people and students are encouraged to bring their own work-in-progress and tools along.

Tel: 01652 618071

Email: ohboyd@btinternet.com

Website

Jim Cooper

239 Scott House, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AA

Courses run throughout the year.

Tel: 07973 708754

Email: woodcarver@fsmail.net

Craft Supplies

The Mill, Millers Dale, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 8SN

A wide range of courses throughout the year. Courses run for 2 or 3 days and are limited to a maximum of 4 students to ensure individual attention. Courses also run in South West France.

Tel: 01433 622 550

Email: sales@craft-supplies.co.uk

Website

Knuston Hall

Irchester, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN29 7EU

Residential woodcarving course taught by Peter Schwartz. Suitable for any level of experience. Relief work, sculpture and whittling will be covered with wood available at cost.

Tel: 01933 312104

Email: enquiries@knustonhall.org.uk

Website

David Lovemore

Amber Sculpture Studio, Hawkwood College, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 7QW

Weekly courses and Saturday workshops in woodcarving, clay modelling, stone sculpture and basic casting techniques. The workshop is fully-equipped, and beginners and children are welcome.

Tel: 07977 836728

Mobile: 0845 456 8227 (Eve)

Email: amberscultpturestudio@yahoo.co.uk

Website

Michael Painter

Well Cottage, 14 Main Road, Austrey, Nr Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 3EH

Short courses taught by a master carver in his fully-equipped traditional carvers' workshop. Covering all aspects of carving: relief, classic, figure and portraiture. Small class sizes, maximum 6 on one-day course and 4 on two-day course. Suitable for complete beginners to established carvers. Equipment provided.

Tel: 01827 830133

Email: info@mikepainter.co.uk

Website

Chris Pye

Herefordshire

One-to-one woodcarving classes and courses taught at Woodcarving contributor Chris Pye's fully equipped carving studio. Courses arranged to suit individual needs. Contact Chris through his website to discuss your personal tuition requirements.

Website

Stanton Guildhouse

Stanton Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7NE

Wood and stine carving summer school with Dick Onians. 9-15 July and 3-9 September.

Weekly Monday classes for 11 weeks for all levels with Carole Feasey.

Tel: 01386 584357

Email: guildhouse@can-online.org.uk

Website

Tree Tech Ltd

Hawthorn, Lincolnshire

2-day chainsaw carving course teaches the various blocking and finishing cuts required to complete a specific piece. All potential trainees must hold a chainsaw certificate with a minimum level of Lantra crosscut and maintenance (CLMC10X).

Contact: Paul Peacock

Tel: 07740 178497

Email: info@tree-tech.org

Website

ENGLAND: SOUTH EAST

BillericayArts Centre

The Fold, 72 Laindon Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9LD

Thursday 10am-12 midday and 1-3pm.

Fees are around 40 pounds for a 10-week term for each class and beginners are welcome. These classes tend to be for those who want to carve in the comfort of their homes using fairly basic tools such as knives and palm gouges. Peter Benson tutors.

Tel: 01277 659286

Bognor Regis Community College

Westloats Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 5LH

Beginners and experienced carvers welcome at this well established, friendly group. Please contact the college for further details.

Paul Bignell tutors.

Tel: 01243 872020

Email: baec@westsussex.gov.uk

Website

Bucks Adult Learning

Evreham Centre, Swallow Street, Iver, Buckinghamshire SL0 0HS

Woodcarving course for beginners/intermediate. 11 January-22 March, and 19 April-5 July.

Tel: 0845 0454040

City & Guilds of London Art School

124 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4DJ

Diploma in Ornamental Wood Carving & Gilding; Diploma in Architectural Stone Carving; Post Graduate Diploma Stone/Wood Carving.

Woodcarving author Dick Onians is one of the senior lecturers.

Tel: 020 7735 2306 & 020 7735 5210

Email: info@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk

Website

Earnley Concourse

Earnley, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7JN

Two-day and week-long courses run throughout the year in creative woodcarving, in the round and relief carving. Suitable for beginners and more advanced carvers. Tutors include Sharon Littley.

Tel: 01243 670392

Email: info@earnley.co.uk

Website

Essex School of Woodcarving

Stockwell House, Laindon Common, Little Burstead, Essex CM12 9SY

1-2 day introductory classes plus classes for experienced carvers. Contact Peter Benson for more details of these and other courses which he runs in the Essex area.

Tel: 01277 623063

Email: bencarve@talktalk.net

Jonathan Fernhead

1. Goat Lodge Farm, Goat Lodge Road, Great Totham, Maldon, Essex CM9 8BX. Tuesday 9.30am-12 midday and 1pm-3.30pm

2. Beeches Close, Essex. Thursday 1.30-3.30pm

3. Brentwood County High School, Seven Arches Road, Brentwood, Essex. Thursday 7.30-9.30pm.

All classes are for 25 weeks and the fees are 180 pounds for each of the four. They are suitable for all levels of carvers and beginners are welcome.

Tel: 01277 214567 or 01277 623063

Email: fearn@gotadsl.co.uk

John Mason School

Wooton Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Brian Eastoe covers how to carve, common pitfalls, correcting mistakes, simple steps to turn a piece of wood into a work of art, and sharpening blunt tools. Every Thursday during term-time, 6.45-9.00pm.

Tel: 01235 203626

Lillyfee Woodcarving & Design Studio

Lillyfee Farm Lane, Wooburn Common, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP10 0LL

Woodcarving and antique restoration courses run throughout the year. Choose from chip carving, figure carving, engraved lettering and 3D modern sculpture. Course dates for 2010: 23-24 January; 6-7 March; 24-25 April; 5-6 June. Evening course 21Sept-30 Nov. Summer school: 19-24 July.

Tel: 01494 671690

Email: studio@lillyfee.co.uk

Website

Mayflower School

Stock Road, Billericay, Essex

CM12 ORT

Peter Benson tutors on Tuesdays from 7.30-9.15pm. Suitable for all levels. Fees are in the region of 110 pounds for 30 weeks.

Email: educate@mayflowerhigh.essex.sch.uk

Missenden Abbey

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 0BN

City & Guilds woodcarving certificate and diploma courses to resident and non-resident students. Suitable for beginners and advanced carvers. Call in the spring for dates from September onwards.

Tel: 01494 890298

Website

Glyn Mould

1. The Carvers Workshop, Sacrewell Farm Centre, Thornhaugh, Peterborough PE8 6HJ

2. Highgate Hall, Overend, Elton, Nr Peterborough PE8 6RU

Courses aimed at providing the student with a greater understanding of the technical aspects of woodcarving. Courses include lettering, high- and low-relief and sculpture work. Summer and winter schools available.

Tel: 07753 298501

Email: glynmould@msn.com

Website

Judith Nicoll

8 St John's Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8NT

Learn to carve and paint an antique decoy duck or wading bird on a 3-day course. Tools, wood and lunch provided. Also soft feather carving for bird carving specialists. 1- or 2-day course with specialist tools for a detailed finish. Numbers limited to 3 people per course.

Tel: 01252 716344

Email: decoybusiness@uwclub.net

Dick Onians

Woodside, Common Wood, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WDA 9BA

Dick Onians teaches at a number of colleges as well as offering personal tuition at the above address in Hertfordshire.

Tel: 01923 265996

Bill Prickett

Kent

Learn woodcarving with Bill Prickett in rural Kent. Bill's workshop is situated on a hop farm near Faversham. 2-day or 5 days: 1-5 Feb, 2 days: 20-21 Feb, 20-21 March, 24-25 April. More courses will be organised during the year.

Tel: 0845 257 0887

Email: info@billprickett.co.uk

Website

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

Singleton, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EU

A wide range of courses throughout the year including stonecarving and rural trades and crafts.

Tel: 01243 811363

Email: courses@wealddown.co.uk

Website

Wensum Lodge

169 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QW

Woodcarving courses available in 2010. Check website for dates or call.

Tel: 0344 800 8002

Email: information@norfolk.gov.uk

Website

West Dean College

West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex P018 0QZ

A wide range of courses in woodcarving runs throughout the year. Tutors include Woodcarving author Chris Pye 31 Jan - 7 Feb.

Tel: 01243 818298

Email: short.course@westdean.org.uk

Website

ENGLAND: SOUTH WEST

Axminster Skill Centre

Axminster Power Tool Centre, Axminster, Devon EX13 5PH

Woodcarving author Ian Edwards teaches a comprehensive two-day carving course suitable for beginners costing £175, on 4-5 March; 3-4 June; 23-24 September; and 2-3 December 2009.

Tel: 0800 9751905

Email: onlinecoursebookings@axminster.co.uk

Website

Chainsaw Carving

Taunton, Somerset

Includes safety, project planning, tools and equipment, hands-on experience, types of cut, finishes and wood. No experience necessary as full training can be given on the course. John Wingfield tutors.

Tel: 07896 923818

Email: john@treecycler.me.uk

Website

Clyst Vale Community College

Taunton, Somerset

2 courses on 18 January and 2 courses 19 April for 10 weeks at £80/£18 cons. 4.30-6.30pm and 7.00-9.00pm

Tel: 0845 111 6000

Website

Ian Edwards

The Hollies, Oaklands, Chard, Somerset TA20 1HB

Woodcarving author Ian Edwards offers a variety of carving courses. See his website for a full list.

Tel: 01460 62776

Websute

ENGLAND: SOUTH WEST

Zoe Gertner Woodcarving

Puddleduck Farm, South Wonford, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 7DR

Courses throughout the year on all aspects of woodcarving. Held in a well equipped studio in Devon. Accommodation available. Further details, course dates and examples of students' carvings can be seen on Zoe's website

Tel: 01409 261648

Email: mail@zoegertner.co.uk

Website

Martin Turner

'At the Sign of the Parrot', 2 The Wilderness Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AE UK

Woodcarving courses throughout the year. Contat Martin for details.

Tel: 07973 752173

Website

SCOTLAND

Glasgow Metropolitan College

60 North Hanover Street, Glasgow G1

Course for beginners or intermediate carvers covering demonstration and practice of all aspects of woodcarving. Call for further details of joining points throughout 2010.

Tel: 0141 566 6222 ext 4500

Email: enquiries@glasgowmet.ac.uk

Website

WALES

Sharon Littley

South Wales

All levels and styles of work are covered. Classes in Port Talbot, Maesteg, Model House Craft & Design Centre, Llantrisant, and Craft in the Bay, Cardiff.

Tel: 01639 884983

Email: sha55.heartwood@ukonline.co.uk

John Sullivan

25 Summerfield Drive, Nottage, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan CF36 3PB

Personal tuition provided, all tools supplied, beginners to advanced, at a time to suit the individual and the complexity of the intended carving.

Tel: 01656 786937

Email: johnb@sullivanjb.freeserve.co.uk

NORTHERN IRELAND

Judi Logue

Eden Place Arts Centre, Pilot's Row Centre, Rossville Street, Derry, Northern Ireland

Term time courses in woodsculpture facilitated by local sculptor Liam Kennedy, The next course will start 10 January 2010

Tel: 028 7126 9418

Email: judi_edenplaceartscentre@yahoo.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL

Austrian Woodcarving School Geisler-Moroder

A-6652 Elbigenalp 63 / Tirol

Traditional Austrian woodcarving courses in the Austrian Tyrol run throughout the year. All tools supplied.

Contact: David Andrews

Tel: 01553 672903

Email: david@thedenkl.wanadoo.co.uk

Website

Center for Furniture Craftsmanship

25 Mill Street, Rockport, Maine 04856, USA

A range of courses available including relief carving with Chris Pye 22-26 June and intermediate carving 29 June-10 July

Tel: 207 594 5611

Email: cfc@woodschool.org

Website

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

PO Box 518, Deer Isle, Maine 04627, USA

Chris Pye will be teaching Element of Wood Sculpture 29 August-4 September.

Website

John Murphy

Clahane, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Practical 2-day courses take place in a fully equipped workshop each month from March to October 2009. Step-by-step projects in relief, three dimensional or decorative carving on offer. Numbers limited to ensure a high level of individual tuition and attention. Courses can be adapted for students who wish to work on their own projects. All skill levels welcome.

Tel: (00) 353 66 7126901

Email: murphysculpt@eircom.net