Woodturning Demonstrations

I've been demonstrating at clubs, shows, and events since 2015. In that time I've presented across the UK, in Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and at SWAT in Texas, which remains one of those things that still makes me smile.

My demonstrations are, first and foremost, conversations that happen to involve a lathe. The emphasis is on design thinking, form, and finishing that are the areas I find most interesting and most useful for turners at any level. I explain the why behind the technique, not just the what. That sounds obvious, but it isn't always how demonstrations get done.

If you'd like me to present to your club, whether in person or remotely, I'd be very glad to hear from you.

I'm a Registered Professional Turner (RPT), a standard awarded by the Register of Professional Turners in association with the Worshipful Company of Turners of London. It's the professional benchmark for woodturning in the UK, and it matters to me because it represents a commitment to the craft that goes beyond just being able to make shavings.

WHAT TO EXPECT

My demonstrations focus on three things: proportion and design, the process of making, and finishing. They're practical and visual, but they also take time to explain the thinking: Why this form, why that edge, why the finishing stage deserves more attention than most turners give it.

I try to pitch the session to the audience in the room. I've presented to clubs with members who've been turning for thirty years and to groups where half the audience had never seen a lathe before last Tuesday. A good demonstration works for both.

Audiences consistently tell me they leave with something they can use the next time they're at the lathe. That's the aim.

Demonstration Topics

Topics I regularly demonstrate include:

•     Bowl design and form — proportion, wall thickness, foot design
•     Lidded boxes and hollow forms — fit, feel, and finishing
•     Design principles: Rule of Thirds and Golden Ratio in practice
•     Finishing: sanding, colouring, waxing, and when to stop
•     Embellishment: texturing, colouring, metal leaf, and beyond
•     Spindle and functional turning
•     Tool techniques

I'm also happy to tailor a session to your club's interests. If you have something specific in mind, mention it in your booking enquiry and we'll see what we can arrange.

In-Person Demonstrations

I travel to clubs and shows across the UK. You provide the lathe and the audience; I'll provide the tools, the materials, and a healthy quantity of shavings.

After confirming a booking you'll receive a technical rider with what I need on the day, plus demo notes to distribute to your members afterwards.

Remote Demonstrations via Zoom

For clubs where geography or travel costs make an in-person visit impractical, remote demonstrations via Zoom are an excellent option. My studio is set up specifically for this: seven cameras, Starlink broadband, custom on-screen graphics, and 1080p streaming. Your members get a better view of what's happening at the tool than they would from the back row of most club rooms.

All you need is a screen and an internet connection. Everything else is taken care of.

How to Book

Use the form below to send a booking request. Include your preferred dates, whether you're looking for an in-person or remote demonstration, and any particular topics your club would find most useful. I'll come back to you with availability and a quote.

Woodturning Demonstrations Past,
Present and Future

A man wearing a flat cap and a vest with patches, sitting in front of a banner that reads 'Hampshire Sheen.' He is holding a stick and a tool, possibly for a craft or demonstration, with a serious expression on his face.

  • 3rd February - West Riding Woodturners (IRD)
    7th February -     Sandon Woodturners
    12th February - Birstall Woodturners Workshop (cancelled)
    13th February -     Birstall Woodturners Evening (cancelled)
    27th February - Yandles 4pm - 6pm
    10th March - Kennett Valley
    12th March - Thameside Woodturners
    14th March - Dorset Woodturners (All Day)
    18th April - Yandles: Masters of the Lathe
    19th May - Middlesex Woodturners
    20th May - Berkshire Woodturners Association
    2nd June - West Riding Woodturners (IRD)
    5th June - Mid Staffordshire Woodturners (IRD)
    15th June - Test Valley Turners
    17th June - Cheam Woodturners
    7th July - Woodturning360 (IRD)
    11th July - Sandon Woodturners
    18th July - Ashdown Woodturners Association
    11th September -Willy Vanhoutte (Belgium)
    12th September -Willy Vanhoutte (Belgium)
    16th September - Chelmer Valley Woodturners
    9th October - Surrey Association of Woodturners
    25th October - Worcestershire Woodturners
    1st November - West Sussex Woodturners
    7th November - Sandon Woodturners
    24th November - Lincolnshire Wolds Woodturning

  • 16th January - Sandon Woodturners
    4th February - West Oxon Woodturning Association
    14th February - Wealdon Woodturning Club
    27th February - Bodmin and District Woodturners
    9th March - Kennet Valley Woodturners
    21st March -Thameside Woodturners Association
    8th May -Orchard Woodturners
    21st May - North Devon Woodturners
    22nd May - Plymouth Woodturners
    3rd June - Ryedale Woodturners (IRD)
    5th June -Sandon Woodturners
    19th June - Apple Valley Woodturners (IRD)
    27th June - West Midlands Woodturners
    7th August - Tavistock Turners and Carvers Club
    25th September - Sandon Woodturners
    6th October - Ely Guild of Woodturners
    7th October -Cambridge Woodturners
    13th October - North Wiltshire Woodturners

  • 11th January – Sandon Woodturners
    21st January - Forest of Bere Woodturners
    18th February - Zoom Trinket Box IRD
    4th March - Zoom Lidded Pot
    11th March - Kennet Valley Woodturners
    15th March – Suffolk Mid Coastal Woodturners
    18th March - Zoom Finial Topped Vase
    20th March - Grampian Woodturners (IRD)
    1st April - Zoom Hollowed Vessel
    15th April - Zoom Tulip Head Box
    15th May - Bristol and Avon Woodturners
    20th May - Zoom Rice Bowl
    2th May - Zoom Contemporary Ring Box
    28th May - South Downs Woodturners (Masterclass & Eve)
    3rd June - West Oxon Woodturners
    7th June - Sandon Woodturners
    17th June - Zoom Droplet Desk Clock
    18th June - Cheam Woodturners
    21st June - Dalmann Timber
    24th June - Zoom Balloon Objet D’art
    7th July - Woodturning360 (IRD)
    8th July - Zoom Fibanacci Bowl
    19th July - Wilmington Area Woodturners (USA, IRD)
    29th July - Lincolnshire Wolds Woodturners (IRD)
    6th September - Sandon Woodturners
    13th September - Colchester Woodturners
    3rd October - Mid Staffs Woodturners (IRD)
    18th October - Crow Valley Turners (Day Demo)
    29th October - Didcot Woodturners
    2nd November - West Sussex Woodturners (All Day)
    13th December - Central Arkansas Woodturners

  • 12th January – Surrey Association of Woodturners
    19th April – Diss Woodturners
    20th April – Kings Lynn Woodturners
    21st April – Mid Wales Woodturners
    14th May – Kennet Valley Woodturners
    8th June – Ulster Woodturners
    24th June – East Surrey Woodturners
    29th June – Sandon Woodturners
    2nd July – West Oxon Woodturners
    10th July – Gloucester Woodturners
    31st August – Odense, Denmark
    1st September – Odense, Denmark
    3rd September - Basic Bowl - Social Media IRD
    10th September - Introduction to Boxes - Social Media IRD
    24th September - Colouring - Social Media IRD
    1st October - Embellishing Waxes - Social Media IRD
    8th October - Black, Red & Gold Pot - Social Media IRD
    14th October – Cheshire Woodturners (IRD)
    16th October – Cheam Woodturners
    19th October – Sandon Woodturners
    15th November – Harrogate Show (for Simon Hope)
    16th November – Harrogate Show (for Simon Hope)
    17th November – Harrogate Show (for Simon Hope)
    14th December - Sandon Woodturners

  • 11th January – Sarnia Woodturners (Remote)
    21st January – Axminster Tools, Nuneaton
    18th February – Axminster Tools, High Wycombe
    18th March – Axminster Tools, Basingstoke
    11th April – Kennet Valley Woodturners
    15th April – Axminster Tools, South Shields
    13th May – Axminster Tools, Cardiff
    19th May – North Devon Woodturners
    10th June – Orchard Woodturners
    17th June – Axminster Tools, Sittingbourne
    22nd July – Axminster Tools, Warrington
    27th July – Hereford Turners
    29th July – Sandon Woodturners
    6th August – West Sussex Woodturners
    8th August – Herts and Beds Woodturners
    16th August – Cheam Woodturners
    20th August – West Midlands Woodturners
    25th August – SWAT Symposium, Texas USA
    26th August – SWAT Symposium, Texas USA
    27th August – SWAT Symposium, Texas USA
    7th October – Traedrejerbutikken, Odense Denmark
    8th October – Traedrejerbutikken, Odense Denmark
    29th October – Surrey Association of Woodturners Open Day
    10th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    11th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    12th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    9th December – Sandon Woodturners

  • 5th March – Sandon Woodturners
    11th March – Surrey Association of Woodturners
    April – Woodturning360
    17th May – Forest of Bere Woodturners
    8th June – Gloucester Association of Woodturners
    9th June – Gloucester Association of Woodturners
    20th July – Berkshire Woodturners
    15th – 16th July – Yandles
    18th July – Test Valley Turners
    20th July – Berkshire Woodturners
    26th August – SWAT (USA) Lead Demonstrator
    27th August – SWAT (USA) Lead Demonstrator
    28th August – SWAT (USA) Lead Demonstrator
    31st August – Burnham-on-Sea Woodturners
    2nd September– Denmark
    3rd September– Denmark
    4th September– Denmark
    26th September – East Surrey Woodturners
    29th October – Isle of Wight
    13th October– Kennet & Avon Woodturning Club
    21st October– Sweden
    22nd October- Sweden
    23rd October- Sweden
    30th October – Isle of Wight
    5th November – The Carpentry Store, Ireland
    6th November – The Carpentry Store, Ireland
    11th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    12th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    13th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    10th December– Sandon Woodturners

  • 9th January – The Walnut Log – USA (IRD)
    17th January – Huddersfield Woodturners
    29th January – Island Woodturners Guild (Vancouver)
    6th February – Garden of England Woodturners, Kent
    9th February – Herts and Beds Woodturners*
    23rd February – Lincolnshire Wolds Woodturners
    27th February – Wood World of Texas – USA (IRD)
    13th May – Huddersfield Woodturners
    6th September – Hampshire Woodturners
    29th September – Tudor Rose Woodturners
    9th October – Hampshire Sheen Excellence in Finishing IRD
    19th October – Hampshire Sheen Excellence in Finishing IRD
    29th October – Kreative Dages (Denmark)
    30th October – Kreative Dages (Denmark)
    31st October – Kreative Dages (Denmark)

  • 9th January – Oxon Woodturners, Littlemore
    18th January –     Axminster Tools and Machinery, High Wycombe
    1st February – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Nuneaton
    29th February – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke
    2nd March – Hampshire Woodturners, Eastleigh.
    16th March – Test Valley Woodturners, Longstock, Hampshire – POSTPONED
    21st March – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Warrington – POSTPONED
    27th March – Newark Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    28th March – Newark Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    30th March – East Surrey Woodturners, Selsdon – POSTPONED
    25th April – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Axminster – POSTPONED
    2nd May – Makers Central, NEC Birmingham – POSTPONED
    3rd May – Makers Central, NEC Birmingham – POSTPONED
    9th May – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Cardiff – POSTPONED
    23rd May – Axminster Tools and Machinery, North Shields – POSTPONED
    30th May – Sandon Woodturners, Essex – POSTPONED
    20th June – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Sittingbourne – POSTPONED
    26th June – Yandles and Sons, Martock – POSTPONED
    9th July – Staffordshire and South Cheshire Woodturners Association – POSTPONED
    10th July – Surrey Association of Woodturners – POSTPONED
    11th September – Yandles Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    12th September – Yandles Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    16th September – North London Woodturners – POSTPONED
    30th September – Burnham on Sea Woodturning Club – POSTPONED
    17th October – Kent Woodturners, Aylesbury
    November – Harrogate Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    November – Harrogate Woodworking Show – POSTPONED
    November – Harrogate Woodworking Show – POSTPONED

  • 12th January – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Axminster
    26th January – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Nuneaton
    2nd March – Axminster Tools and Machinery, North Shields
    16th March – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Sittingbourne
    22nd March – Midlands Show, Newark. Demos for Turner’s Retreat
    23rd March – Midlands Show, Newark. Demos for Turner’s Retreat
    30th March – Axminster Tools and Machinery, High Wycombe
    12th April – Record Power Roadshow, Yandles, Somerset
    13th April     – Record Power Roadshow, Yandles, Somerset
    20th April – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Warrington
    11th May – Makers Central, NEC, Birmingham,  Demos for Turner’s Retreat
    12th May     – Makers Central, NEC, Birmingham,  Demos for Turner’s Retreat
    25th May – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Cardiff
    6th September – Yandles Woodworking Show, Martock, Somerset
    7th September – Yandles Woodworking Show, Martock, Somerset
    10th September – Kennet Valley Woodturners
    12th September – Staffordshire and South Cheshire Woodturners Association
    14th September – Orchard Woodturners, Kent
    24th September – Martock Woodturners, Somerset
    28th September – Isle of Wight Woodturners
    12th October – Sarnia Woodturners, Guernsey
    18th – 20th October – Irish Woodturners Guild Seminar, Limerick.
    26th October – Sandon Woodturners, Essex
    2nd November – Garden of England Woodturners, Kent
    15th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show, for Turner’s Retreat
    15th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show, for Turner’s Retreat
    15th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show, for Turner’s Retreat

  • 13th April – Yandles Woodworking Show
    14th April     – Yandles Woodworking Show
    5th May – Makers Central, NEC Birmingham
    6th May – Makers Central, NEC Birmingham
    23rd June – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke
    1st July – UK & Ireland Woodturning Symposium, Coventry
    7th September – Yandles Woodworking Show
    8th September – Yandles Woodworking Show
    9th November – The Carpentry Store, Dublin
    10th September – The Carpentry Store, Dublin
    16th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    17th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    18th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    9th December – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke

  • 7th April – Yandles Woodworking Show
    8th April     – Yandles Woodworking Show
    15th July     – UK & Ireland Woodturning Symposium, Coventry
    16th July – UK & Ireland Woodturning Symposium, Coventry
    8th September – Yandles Woodworking Show
    9th September – Yandles Woodworking Show
    17th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    18th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    19th November – Harrogate Woodworking Show
    16th December – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke

  • January – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke
    18th June – UK & Ireland Woodturning Symposium, Coventry
    19th June – UK & Ireland Woodturning Symposium, Coventry
    5th August – Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
    6th August – Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
    7th August – Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

  • 21st November 2015 – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke
    22nd November 2015 – Axminster Tools and Machinery, Basingstoke