Member Training Workshops

AWGB members can apply for a workshop which has been pre-arranged or to request a workshop on a specific subject. We try to offer a varied programme but if a topic is suggested and there is enough interest in a region then the Association will try to organise a suitable workshop.

Workshops are usually presented by professional woodturners. There will be no fixed charge but members are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to the development fund which goes towards putting on more workshops.

Every AWGB member may apply for training, and every effort is made to accommodate your requirements within the budget available.

Detailed information about the application process is below the training course information.

Course Title	Venue	Date	Trainer	Candidates Skill Level	Number of Candidates	Notes
Basic Hollow Forms	Croesy ceiliog	17th October 2026	Nigel Miles	Intermediate	4
Taming the Skew	Dorset	3rd November 2026	Colwin Way	All Levels	4
Colouring with Spirit Stains	Staffordshire	2nd December 2026	Robert Till	Intermediate	2
Colouring with Spirit Stains	Staffordshire	19th January 2027	Robert Till	Intermediate	2
Natural edge for beginners	South Wales	26th February 2027	Nigel Miles	Beginner / intermediate	4
Taming the Skew	Dorset	9th March 2027	Colwin Way	Beginner/Intermediate	4
Live Edge Bowls	Perth Scotland	27th March 2027	Paul McDonald & Ian Anderson	Beginner / intermediate	4
Colouring and airbrushing	Turners Retreat Sheffield	26th April 2027	Mick Hanbury	Beginer/Intermeadiate	4	Bring an unfinished platter
Hand thread chasing	Simon Hope workshop Essex	3rd May 2027	Simon Hope	Intermediate	4
Turning a 10inch platter	Hartlepool	5th June 2027	Dennis Wake	Intermediate	4	Own design
Ladies spindle turning improver day	West Berkshire	25th June 2027	Liz Pearson	Beginer/Intermeadiate	4
Adding texture and colour to turned pieces	Lancashire	9th July 2027	Chris Parker	Beginer/Intermeadiate	4
Introduction to Hollowing	Hampshire	16th July 2027	Martin Saben Smith	Intermediate	4
Thin turning and peircing	Turners Retreat Sheffield	23rd August 2027	Mick Hanbury	Advanced	4
Chameleon Bowl	Trent Valley Woodturners Kegworth Derby	28th August	Emma Cook	Beginner	4
Goblet	Perth Scotland	11th September 2027	Paul McDonald & Ian Anderson	Beginner/Intermeadiate	4
Colouring/Texturing	Simon Hope workshop Essex	20th September	Stuart Furini	Beginner/Intermeadiate	4
Taming the Skew	Dorset	6th October 2027	Colwin Way	Beginner/Intermediate	4
Table Lamp	Hartlepool	9th October 2027	Dennis Wake	Intermediate	4
Wave Bowl	South Wales	5th November 2027	Peter Bradwick	Beginner/Intermeadiate	4
Advanced off centre box	Broadway Cotswolds	18th November 2027	Steven Gordon	Advanced	4
Mushroom Smokehouse	Staffordshire	7th December 2027	Robert Till	Intermeadiate	2

Application
To apply please complete the ‘Training Workshop Application‘ Web Form or alternatively click here to get an application form and send it by post to the co-ordinator address shown on the form.

Guidelines for skill level
Gauging experience or skill level is difficult to quantify. Someone who one has turned twice per week for a year will have much more experience than someone who has turned once per month for a year. In both cases they could say that they have one year’s experience. When gauging your own experience, use the below as a guideline to see where you fall within the respective skill level of the target skill of the workshop, and adjust as appropriate. This will help you make sure you get the most from the courses.

Beginner
People in this category are familiar with the six main tools and have undertaken a few projects. They understand how the lathe works and can work safely in the workshop. They turn a few times per month and have done so for 0-2 years.

Intermediate
Intermediate turners typically display a broader array of skills and understanding of the difference facets of woodturning. They have developed their techniques with the tools and produce consistent and repeatable work. They may have had some experience demonstrating or teaching newer members, but are still working on new techniques and more difficult projects. They turn regularly and have done so for 3-5 years.

Advanced
People who may identify as experienced are those whose work is often lauded. They are seen as a ‘go to’ person and someone who produces work that is regularly in podium positions for competitions. They may regularly demonstrate and mentor intermediate turners. They are confident with their techniques, and may use other art forms as inspiration for new techniques. These people are ready to be taught new techniques that demand the highest of coordination and skill to execute well. When they are not turning they are thinking about turning and typically have over 5 years’ experience.

For more information contact: administrator@awgb.co.uk

Workshop Applications

Below is an explanation of the process that takes place, when a workshop application is submitted.

When a workshop application is submitted, the following steps take place:

1. The administrator will process the application and add the relevant information to a spreadsheet.

2. You will receive an email to confirm that your application has been received.

3. 4 weeks before the course is due to start, a random selection process takes place and (normally) 4 people will be selected.

4. The selected applicants will receive an email informing them that they have been selected at random. They will be asked to confirm their attendance.

5. At this time, the course tutor will also be given the details of the selected candidates. He/she will send out joining instructions for the day.

6. If an applicant has not been selected, they will receive an email informing them of this.

7. Two people will be placed on a reserve list, and they will be informed of this.

Application timeline

The application process has been updated to streamline the job of administration and to provide parity across the year.

1. From 2027, the year will be split into 4 sections.

2. All AWGB courses will first be advertised in the December edition of Revolutions Magazine. The application window will only be open for 2 months at a time. This will create a rolling cycle throughout the year.

3. For example, if you would like to apply for a course, you will need to do this at least one month prior to the date of the course taking place and no more than two months in advance of the course. So, if you would like to apply for a course on July 15th, 2027, for example, the application window will be open on April 15th, 2027 and will close on June 15th 2027,