All Courses
One Day Woodworking Skills
Forget production-line classes and fixed lesson plans.
This is woodworking taught the way it used to be – one-to-one, or with just one other student, in a fully equipped professional workshop, with the entire day built around you.
Whether you've never picked up a chisel, you've been making bits in the shed for years, or you're an experienced furniture maker wanting to sharpen your skills, the day is completely bespoke.
Some people arrive wanting to build a table. Others want to master dovetails. Some simply know they're making the same mistakes over and over again and want somebody to put them right.
That's where I come in.
We'll spend the day getting to the heart of what you want to achieve. Not what some lesson plan says you should be doing.
We'll cover whatever gets you over the line.
That might be:
-
Accurate marking out and measuring.
-
Traditional hand tool skills.
-
Sharpening properly.
-
Planes, chisels and saws.
-
Mortice and tenons.
-
Dovetails.
-
Joinery.
-
Furniture making.
-
Machine techniques.
-
Workshop efficiency.
-
Reading timber.
-
Body position.
-
Order of operations.
-
Problem solving.
-
Or something completely different.
There isn't one correct way to make furniture.
There are usually half a dozen.
Part of my job is finding the one that makes the most sense for you.
You'll work hard. You'll ask questions. You'll make mistakes. You'll almost certainly surprise yourself by the end of the day.
The aim isn't simply to build one project.
The aim is to send you home with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to tackle the next one on your own.
The day runs from 9.00am until 5.00pm.
Expect a full-on day. It's practical, information-heavy and hands-on from start to finish. You'll leave with a far better understanding of not just how to do something, but why you're doing it that way. That understanding is what gives you the confidence to continue developing long after you've left the workshop.
Many students don't stop after a day or two. In fact, that's often when the real fun begins.
Once you've reached the point where you're competent enough to work more independently in the workshop, you can move on to ongoing sessions at a significantly reduced rate. You'll have access to a fully equipped professional workshop, all the machinery you need, and me on hand whenever you need advice, a second opinion, or someone to stop you making an expensive mistake.
It's a great way to tackle larger or more ambitious projects while continuing to develop your skills, confidence and understanding at your own pace.
Whether your ambition is to become a better DIYer, build furniture for your own home, start a woodworking business, or simply spend a day learning a proper craft, you'll leave with skills that will stay with you for life.
If you're not sure whether this is the right course for you, or you'd simply like to chat through an idea or project, give Richard a call or get in touch via the contact page.
I'd love to hear what you've got in mind.
HALF-DAY
WOODWORKING
COURSE
An introduction to traditional woodworking – and a brilliant way to discover whether the bug bites.
Whether you've never picked up a chisel before, fancy trying something completely different, or you're looking for an unusual gift for someone who loves making things, these half-day courses are a great place to start.
Each course lasts around four hours and you'll leave with a finished project, new skills and, hopefully, a healthy addiction to woodworking.
No experience is necessary.
Just turn up and enjoy yourself.
The Current Project
The Contemporary Timber Shelf
Don't be fooled by its simplicity.
This beautiful little shelf teaches a surprising number of woodworking skills while giving you something you'll genuinely be proud to take home and put on the wall.
Depending on the course, you'll be introduced to traditional hand tools, machinery, accurate marking out, shaping, sanding, assembly and finishing techniques, all while creating a stylish piece you'll actually use.
More projects will be added throughout the year, so keep checking back to see what's new.
A Great Gift
These courses make fantastic presents.
Whether it's for a birthday, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas or simply because someone deserves a treat, a woodworking course is a gift they'll remember long after another bottle of wine or pair of socks has been forgotten.
Gift vouchers are available if you'd like to let the recipient choose a date that suits them.
Small Groups. Plenty of Time.
To make sure everyone gets plenty of hands-on experience and individual help, numbers are kept deliberately small.
That means more time on the tools, more opportunities to ask questions and a much better experience for everyone.
Introductory Offer
£99 per person
(This introductory price will rise to £120 as new projects are added.)
Booking
At the moment I don't have an online booking system.
I actually prefer to have a quick chat first.
It gives you the chance to ask any questions, check available dates and make sure you're booking the right course.
So if you'd like to book yourself a place—or buy a gift voucher for somebody else—simply give Richard a call or get in touch via the contact page.
I'd love to hear from you.
BESPOKE TEAM
BUILDING IN
SUFFOLK
Forget trust falls, escape rooms and another afternoon sat in a conference suite.
If you're looking for a genuinely different team-building experience, you've found it.
At The Wood Academy, every corporate day is built around your team, your objectives and your people. Whether you're looking to improve communication, encourage collaboration, reward your staff, support wellbeing or simply give everyone an unforgettable day away from the office, we'll create something that's completely bespoke.
No off-the-shelf packages.
No forced fun.
No two days are ever the same.
A Team Day With Purpose
There's something refreshingly honest about working with timber.
Job titles disappear.
Everyone starts on a level playing field.
People naturally communicate, solve problems together and support one another.
By the end of the day, your team won't just have shared an experience—they'll have created something real with their own hands.
It's challenging, rewarding, hugely enjoyable and unlike anything most people have ever done before.
Build for Good
If you really want to make your team day memorable, why not make a difference while you're at it?
One of the ideas I'm most passionate about is creating projects that directly benefit someone else.
Perhaps your team transforms a child's bedroom, builds furniture for a local charity, creates planters for a community project or makes seating for a local school or village.
Instead of simply having a great day out, your team leaves knowing they've genuinely improved someone else's life.
It's fantastic for morale, fantastic for your business and fantastic for the people receiving the finished project.
If you already have a charity or community organisation close to your heart, let's build something around it.
DesiGNed Around Your Objectives
Some businesses simply want to reward their staff with a brilliant day away from the office.
Others want to improve teamwork, communication and problem solving.
Some want to stretch people, develop leadership skills or observe how individuals perform in unfamiliar situations
.
Whatever your objectives, we'll build the day around them.
If you work with HR professionals, Learning & Development teams or external facilitators, they're very welcome to be part of the day too.
We're equally happy to work alongside coaches or behavioural specialists if you'd like to incorporate assessments or team observations.
Small Groups. Big Experience.
To keep the day personal, safe and genuinely hands-on, corporate groups are limited to six people.
Every participant gets involved. Everyone contributes. Nobody spends the day standing around watching.
Corporate days are individually designed and priced according to your requirements.
If you're looking for a team-building experience your staff will still be talking about months later, I'd love to help.
Give Richard a call or get in touch via the contact page and let's create something your team will never forget.
Continue your
woodworking
journey
Because one day is rarely enough...
One of the nicest problems I have is that people often don't want to leave.
They come in for a bespoke day, build something they're proud of, learn a huge amount... and before they head home they're already asking, "When can I come back?"
The good news is—you can.
Once you've reached the point where you're competent enough to work safely and more independently in the workshop, you can move on to ongoing workshop sessions at a significantly reduced rate.
Think of it as the next step in your woodworking journey.
Build Whatever You Like
Fancy making a dining table?
Go for it.
Always wanted to build a Welsh dresser?
Let's do it.
Kitchen cabinets? Coffee table? Jewellery box? Vanity unit? Garden furniture? A gift for someone special?
If you can imagine it, we'll work together to make it happen.
Some people arrive with a drawing.
Some arrive with a photograph.
Others simply have a rough idea scribbled on the back of an envelope.
That's more than enough to get us started.
Learn By Doing
I don't believe the best way to learn woodworking is by sitting in a classroom.
You learn by making.
By asking questions.
By making the odd mistake.
By working through problems.
By standing back at the end of the day and thinking...
"I made that."
I'll always be on hand to offer advice, demonstrate a technique, stop you heading down a blind alley or simply point you in the right direction.
How much help you need is entirely up to you.
Some people want lots.
Some hardly need me at all.
A Proper Workshop
You'll have access to a fully equipped professional woodworking workshop with the machinery, tools and space needed to tackle projects that simply aren't possible in a spare bedroom or single garage.
Even better, you'll be working alongside other enthusiastic woodworkers.
Everyone's making something different.
Everyone's happy to chat.
And everyone remembers what it was like when they first started.
It's a lovely atmosphere.
Learn At Your Own Pace
Life gets in the way sometimes.
Work happens.
Holidays happen.
Kids happen.
There are no exams, no deadlines and no pressure.
Come when you can.
Pick up where you left off.
We'll get there.
Is It Right For You?
These ongoing sessions aren't designed for complete beginners.
They're for people who've already developed the confidence and workshop skills to work more independently and safely.
If you're not quite there yet, don't worry.
We'll get you there.
Once you're ready, you'll know.
And so will I.
Fancy Becoming One of the Regulars?
If you've completed a course with me and you'd like to continue developing your skills while working on your own projects, let's have a chat.
I'd love to help you become the woodworker you've always wanted to be.