6 Day Green Woodworking : Make a Chair

This course is aimed at the intermediate green woodworker, or for people who have already attended my stool making course.  The course is designed to take you through many of the green woodworking processes including timber selection, working with traditional tools & equipment and steam bending. It is a journey of learning, whilst totally immersed in a beautiful woodland environment, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. It can be quite meditative for some, and the therapeutic aspect of being creatively absorbed in your work by cannot be ignored. 

 Green woodworking is a traditional woodland craft which goes back to the 17th century, when ‘bodgers’ would work in the Chiltern woodlands for months on end producing chairs and stools, many of which still exist today. The last of the bodgers, Samuel Rockall died in 1962 although the craft lives on.

 The chair making course runs for almost six days and is primarily aimed at adults as it requires a level dexterity and concentration. If you are below 18 years old please contact us.

The course is led by Charles Hooper, an experienced green woodworker who has been teaching for 10 years. Charles originally learnt about green woodworking during the filming of BBC’s Mastercrafts. Since then Charles has honed his skills making many pieces of  furniture and features at Forest Garden Shovelstrode. Charles is passionate about passing on his knowledge to others, in order to help preserve this wonderful heritage craft.

Delicious home cooked lunch is provided everyday with produce from our Forest Garden. Refreshments are available all day.

This course will run from 0900am until 5.30pm. The final day generally ends in time for lunch.

Please wear appropriate clothing for woodworking outdoors i.e. trousers, sturdy boots etc.

Please note there will be an additional charge to be paid at the end of the course for the chosen seating for your stool. The 2020 prices are as follows :-

Chair [14” x 16”]:     Seagrass [£35]  Twisted Rush [£45]  Bark [£60]

Stool [11” x 11”]:    Seagrass [£25]  Twisted Rush [£30]  Bark [£40]

Yurt camping and camping pitches are available for people wishing to stay whilst attending this course. Please contact Lisa on 07956 815458 to book a pitch or a yurt. Yurt prices can be found on our camping section