In this course, Ernest will help students of all levels from complete novices to experienced restorers. All types of projects are possible (We do suggest you send a picture of the object if this is your first class with the school). All materials can be provided by the school (although a charge may apply). Ernest will carefully walk the student through every step of  the entire process of restoring their selected project.  Imagine the great feeling one gets from developing the hand skills needed to turn a warn piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.

With over 15 years experience running a very successful restoration business, Ernest is active with ICON (International Conservation) and he has a PhD centered around 18th Century  English and French Furniture.  This means that Ernest has proven himself to meet their very high standards in the restoration of antiques.

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Friday except during school holidays):
April: 17
May: 1, 22
June: 5, 19

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Join Our Woodwork Session

• Craft Your Own Leopold Chair from Pine
• Unleash Your Creativity and Build a Timeless Piece

Discover the Art of simple Woodworking: Make a Leopold Chair from Pine

Are you seeking a hands-on experience that combines creativity, skill, and craftsmanship? Do you want to add a unique, elegant piece of furniture to your home that reflects both tradition and your personal touch? Step into the world of woodworking with our exclusive session dedicated to building the iconic Leopold chair, using beautiful, sustainable pine wood.

Why Choose the Leopold Chair?

The Leopold chair stands as a testament to classic design: its graceful lines, practical form, and sturdy construction have made it a favourite among furniture enthusiasts for generations. Whether you are looking for a comfortable reading chair, an accent piece for your living space, or a thoughtful gift for a loved one, the Leopold chair is versatile and timeless.

But what truly sets this session apart is the opportunity to build your very own Leopold chair from scratch, guided by an experienced woodworker and using carefully selected pine—one of nature’s finest materials. Pine wood boasts a warm, inviting colour, is easy to work with for all skill levels, and is sourced with sustainability in mind.

Session Highlights

• Expert Instruction: Our master craftsman bring years of experience and passion for woodworking. You’ll be guided through every step—from measuring and cutting to assembly and finishing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced woodworker, our instructor ensure that you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
• Quality Materials: We provide premium pine wood, selected for its durability and attractive grain. All woodworking tools and safety equipment are supplied, so you only need to bring your enthusiasm.
• Hands-On Experience: This session is all about active participation. You will use saws, planes, and joinery techniques to transform raw pine into a stunning chair. Learn essential woodworking skills that you can carry forward to future projects.
• Customization: Personalize your Leopold chair with your choice of finishes, stains, or paint. Experiment with cushions and make the chair truly yours if you choose.
• Community: Meet fellow craft enthusiasts, share ideas, and enjoy a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. Our woodwork sessions foster creativity, learning, and lasting connections.

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding wood types, characteristics of pine, and why it’s perfect for the Leopold chair.
• Basic and advanced cutting techniques: handsaw and power saw usage, ensuring precision and safety.
• Shaping and smoothing: the art of planeing and sanding pine.
• Joinery methods: traditional techniques to ensure your chair is both beautiful and structurally sound.
• Assembly: step-by-step, from legs to seat to backrest, guided by detailed plans and professional tips.
• Finishing touches: staining, painting, and sealing your chair for longevity and style.

The Benefits of Working with Pine

Pine wood is celebrated for its versatility and charm. Its light colour and distinctive grain patterns lend warmth to any room, while its relative softness makes it easy to shape and join. Pine is also an environmentally friendly choice, as it’s renewable and widely available. Working with pine allows both novice and seasoned woodworkers to achieve excellent results without the frustration that harder woods sometimes bring.

Session Details

• Location: Our traditional workshop is equipped with modern tools in a safe, welcoming environment.
• Date & Time: Multiple sessions are available to suit your schedule—contact us for upcoming dates!
• Duration: Each session lasts approximately four hours, with breaks and refreshments provided.
• Materials Provided: All pine wood, hardware, and tools are included in the session fee.
• Skill Level: Suitable for all levels—no prior woodworking experience required.

Why Attend?

• Create Something Lasting: Leave the session with a finished Leopold chair—made by your own hands. Experience the pride and satisfaction that comes from crafting a beautiful, functional object from raw materials.
• Learn New Skills: Whether you’re new to woodworking or looking to refine your technique, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and confidence.
• Connect with Others: Enjoy the camaraderie of creating together with like-minded individuals.
• Enjoy a Relaxing, Rewarding Day: Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a creative pursuit.

Meet Your Instructor

Our woodworking instructor is a passionate artisan with decades of experience. He delight in sharing his knowledge and fostering a welcoming atmosphere. From teaching wood safety and tool handling to helping you with tricky joins and final finishes, he will be there every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to bring anything? Just yourself! All tools and materials are provided.
• Is this session suitable for beginners? Absolutely—no prior experience is required, and our instructors will guide you at every stage.
• Can I take my chair home? Yes! Your handcrafted Leopold chair is yours to enjoy and cherish.
• What if I make a mistake? Mistakes are a natural part of learning. The instructor will help you fix any issues and ensure you leave with a beautiful chair.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

To sign up or request more information, contact us by phone or email.

The cost of an individual lesson will be £500 with a good discount if there are more students.

Let your creativity flourish, learn new skills, and take home a piece of furniture that tells a story—yours.

Testimonials

• “I never thought I could make a chair myself. The instructor was patient, and the pine was easy to work with. My chair now has pride of place in my living room and if I need to pack it away, it is easy to fold up to take up less space!”
• “A fantastic way to spend a Saturday. I learned so much and met great people. Highly recommended!”
• “The Leopold chair session was the perfect introduction to woodworking, and now I feel inspired to try more projects.”

What Are You Waiting For?

A rewarding woodworking experience, a beautiful pine Leopold chair, and new friends all await you. Join us and make memories—one cut, one join, one chair at a time.

Aim

The aim of the session is to complete the chair. If you completed the project you are done. You take it home when you are finished.  If you finish it with time to spare, the instructor will have an additional project that you can work on. You are welcome to make a second one but you have to source your own timber.

Please note:  no refunds will be given if cancelled 2 weeks or less before the class are scheduled to start.

Class Dates (every Wednesday):
April:  29
May: 6, 13, 20
June: 3, 10, 17, 24

July 1, 8

Class Times: All classes start at 15:30 and end at 19:30

Price: £500 (Deposit: £100)

This starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their properties as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them.  Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden tray using pine. They will learn how to make some basic woodwork joints as well as using screws to join certain parts of the project. Finally, they will try out some finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The tray will have new horseshoes as handles. The idea is that you will afterwards be able to make another tray when you can use a different type of wood and make some changes in the design. We offer several different craft learning experiences for those aged 10 and above. While we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

We have a series of wood crafting sections such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.  With our new tutor we hope to bring in other materials such as plastics.  In the beginning class each student Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them toi express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates:
April:  30
May: 7, 14, 21
June: 4, 11, 18, 25

July 2, 9

Class Times: All classes start at 13:00 and end at 15:00

Price: £250 (Deposit: £100)

This continues the learning in the Basic class Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden table.  They will learn how to make several woodworking joints such as dovetails, mortice and tenon joints. Finally, they will try out some more advanced finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The table is specially designed to require a wide range of skills and the use of many of the basic furniture making techniques.  Again, while we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

As with the Basic course, we will look for opportunities to teach related skills.   Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them to express themselves while learning a new skills.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates:
April:  29
May: 6, 13, 20
June: 3, 10, 17, 24

July 1, 8

Class Times: All classes start at 13:00 and end at 15:00

Price: £250 (Deposit: £100)

This starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their properties as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them.  Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden tray using pine. They will learn how to make some basic woodwork joints as well as using screws to join certain parts of the project. Finally, they will try out some finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The tray will have new horseshoes as handles. The idea is that you will afterwards be able to make another tray when you can use a different type of wood and make some changes in the design. We offer several different craft learning experiences for those aged 10 and above. While we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

We have a series of wood crafting sections such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.  With our new tutor we hope to bring in other materials such as plastics.  In the beginning class each student Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them toi express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates:
April:  30
May: 7, 14, 21
June: 4, 11, 18, 25

July 2, 9

Class Times: All classes start at 16:00 and end at 18:00

Price: £250 (Deposit: £100)

This continues the learning in the Basic class Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden table.  They will learn how to make several woodworking joints such as dovetails, mortice and tenon joints. Finally, they will try out some more advanced finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The table is specially designed to require a wide range of skills and the use of many of the basic furniture making techniques.  Again, while we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

As with the Basic course, we will look for opportunities to teach related skills.   Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them to express themselves while learning a new skills.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates:
January: 14, 21, 28
February: 4, 11, 25
March: 4, 11, 18, 25

Class Times: All classes start at 13:00 and end at 15:00

Price: £250 (Deposit: £100)

This starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their properties as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them.  Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden tray using pine. They will learn how to make some basic woodwork joints as well as using screws to join certain parts of the project. Finally, they will try out some finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The tray will have new horseshoes as handles. The idea is that you will afterwards be able to make another tray when you can use a different type of wood and make some changes in the design. We offer several different craft learning experiences for those aged 10 and above. While we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

We have a series of wood crafting sections such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.  With our new tutor we hope to bring in other materials such as plastics.  In the beginning class each student Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them toi express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates:
January: 15, 22, 29
February: 5, 12, 26
March: 5, 12, 19, 26

Class Times: All classes start at 13:00 and end at 15:00

Price: £250 (Deposit: £100)

In this course, Ernest will help students of all levels from complete novices to experienced restorers. All types of projects are possible (We do suggest you send a picture of the object if this is your first class with the school). All materials can be provided by the school (although a charge may apply). Ernest will carefully walk the student through every step of  the entire process of restoring their selected project.  Imagine the great feeling one gets from developing the hand skills needed to turn a warn piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.

With over 15 years experience running a very successful restoration business, Ernest is active with ICON (International Conservation) and he has a PhD centered around 18th Century  English and French Furniture.  This means that Ernest has proven himself to meet their very high standards in the restoration of antiques.

Price: £295 (Deposit: £100)

Class Dates (every other Friday except during school holidays):
January: 16, 30
February: 13, 27
March: 13

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

If you are new to jewellery making, coming back after a break or a confident jeweller, this course is suitable for you. Over the six weeks you will be guided by Jude in making silver jewellery by using traditional silversmithing techniques such as sawing, filing, soldering, forming and polishing. You can choose to make rings, necklaces, bangles, cufflinks and earrings.  You will be introduced to the design element of jewellery making as well as top tips and advice on the best place to source your materials.

As this course if for all abilities and experience levels, you will work on your individual design projects and Jude will be on hand to demo each stage of making the pieces you choose. As well as your own projects, there is an opportunity to work on a group project which will look at particular techniques in more detail such as sandcasting, cuttlefish casting, gem setting, and Keum Boo.

The course fee includes the use of all tools and consumable materials. Additional costs will be for the metal for your designs and gemstones.

Please bring a sketchbook, an apron to protect your clothes and if needed, a hair tie and glasses for close-up work. As each session is 09:30-16:30pm, please bring your lunch. Tea and coffee are available at the Centre.

Note all prices include tools, incidental costs (consumables such as sawblades, polishing compounds, solder, gas, borax, pickle etc.) however the price of the metals is not included)

Class Dates (every other Friday except during school holidays):
October: 3, 17
November: 7, 21
December: 5

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Costs: £295 + materials (depend on selected material)

deposit: £100

This starts with an overview of common furniture woods and their properties as well as the basic hand tools and how to sharpen them.  Students will be introduced to basic woodworking techniques while making a beautiful wooden tray using pine. They will learn how to make some basic woodwork joints as well as using screws to join certain parts of the project. Finally, they will try out some finishing techniques before choosing one for their project. The tray will have new horseshoes as handles. The idea is that you will afterwards be able to make another tray when you can use a different type of wood and make some changes in the design. We offer several different craft learning experiences for those aged 10 and above. While we focus on teaching traditional hand skills, we do so in a way to be enjoyable to the young students.

We have a series of wood crafting sections such as wood working (making things), pyrography (burning pictures in wood) and wood carving.  With our new tutor we hope to bring in other materials such as plastics.  In the beginning class each student Most importantly, we try to work with each individual student so all of them toi express themselves while learning a new skill.

Each child is allowed to work at their own pace to maximize their learning.  This means that each student gets very individual guidance.  As everyone knows creativity and the process of making things is very important to a child’s development.  That is why we think our classes are so important. In the past the wood working class has made boxes, decorated with pyrography, a chess set and board.

Class Dates (every Thursday):
September: 11, 18, 25
October: 2, 9, 16, 23
November: 6, 13, 20

Class Times: All classes start at 16:00 and end at 18:00

Price: £220 (Deposit: £100)