Green Woodworking/Pole Workshop | Blended Monkey Studios | 8 June 2025
Sunday 8 June 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
£85 including tea/coffee & biscuits throughout, lunch (catering to all requirements), materials, use of all equipment on the day & tutoring.
Learn how to take a log of green wood, trim it with an axe, draw it to shape using a shave horse and a draw knife and then use the pole lathe to turn your piece into an item of your choice.
This green woodturning workshop is held in a dedicated covered, outside space in the peaceful setting of our Blended Monkey studios in the cottage gardens of our home on the Cambs/Norfolk border.
This diamond award-winning experience can be enjoyed by a group of up to 6 people.
The origins of the pole lathe are lost in antiquity, but it is known that Vikings used them as they have been discovered in archaeological finds in York. The ancient craft of pole lathe turning petered out in England after the Second World War.
You'll take away everything you make during the session - this could be anything from a rolling pin, spatula, mallet, garden dibber ...
The group green woodworking workshops are suitable for everyone and we can accommodate children from 10+ accompanied by an adult (but we tend to not offer the axe cutting part).
This full-day group workshop includes refreshments throughout, all the equipment and materials, and also lunch.
We also offer this workshop as a 1-2-1 immersive experience or for pairs (check out our other workshops).
So couples or even parents and children can come along and
experience the art of green woodturning together!
About a week before your workshop date, we'll e-mail you
again with more details about parking etc.
We also offer accommodation in the form of our Crafter's Retreat cabin subject to availability or we can advise of other local B&Bs.
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and a light, rustic farmhouse-style lunch is also included - tailored to meet all dietary requirements. Depending on the weather/time of year, lunch can be taken either out in the cottage garden or in our country kitchen which has a view over the garden.
The sessions are hands-on, and the student will be able to use the green woodworking equipment and pole lathe to create their pieces. The tuition can be tuned to what they would like to do, as people tend to learn quicker working in areas that they are interested in. They can choose from a number of items that would be suitable for beginners or those relatively new to the art.
The aim is to make an item or items that they can feel proud of and take away with them.
All students will be provided with a certificate of completion. All of the wood used is from sustainable local sources.
The 1-day workshop includes:
- All tools, materials and personal protection equipment (eye protection/lung protection).
- Refreshments (tea/coffee/soft drinks) and a light, rustic farmhouse-style lunch - catering to all dietary requirements.
- As we limit the number of people to 6, you get to have some 1-2-1 tuition and the maximum benefit from a day with no distractions.
- All work can be taken home.
- Certificate of completion.
- Follow-up advice.