Courses and events | The Artful Bodger

Green Wood Working Courses

Welsh Stick Chairmaking

During this 6 day course, you will make a traditional Welsh stick chair, and learn the skills to make more.

On the course you will start with fresh logs, then learn how to use the traditional hand tools used by chairmakers, such as adze, shave horse, drawknife, travisher, brace and bit etc.

Together we will steam bend arm bows, back bows, and comb backs, to be used in your chair.

6 days is enough time for beginners to make a nice simple Welsh stick chair, or for people with experience to make a slightly bigger chair. I encourage everyone to make a unique chair and to add their own style.

People can choose to make dining chairs, high chairs, or arm chairs. I can help guide you on what is achievable. All these chairs have legs, and stretchers, so we can start making these while discussing design.

If you have something specific you'd like to make, please send me a message.

The course is held at Panpwnton Campsite for Tents & Campervans on Offa Dyke.

This is in Knighton, Powys, LD7 1TN.

All materials are included in the price, plus tea, coffee and biscuits.

There's a lovely onsite cafe for lunches, or you can bring your own lunch.

Camping, campervan pitches or glamping can be booked via the camp site.

Course Dates

3rd to 8th May 2027

All my bookings go through craftcourses.co.uk

Any questions please email Email me at Theartfulbodger@Hotmail.co.uk for full booking details.

Cost is £643, all included.

The course runs 9am to 5pm first 5 days.

Then 9am to 3pm on the last day.

My Experience

I've been running courses for about twenty years.

I first learned traditional craft skills at Telford's Green Wood Trust, going on to teach pole lathe turning, and green woodworking courses from there.

In 2007 I moved to The Sustainability Centre to do a Woodland Crafts apprenticeship. I ran and helped to run courses while there. While doing my apprenticeship I went on a chairmaking course with Paul Hayden at Westonbirt Arboretum, I then helped run his courses for about ten years. During this time I also ran my own courses at Abbey Home Farm, National Trust Tyntesfield estate, and the Small Woods Association.

In 2018 I moved to Leintwardine, Herefordshire, taking up the role of Senior Crafts Tutor for The Cart Shed Charity.

In recent years alongside making furniture and running courses, I've worked with furniture company Rupert Bevan, and restoration carpentry company Reynolds Conservation.

Additionally, I am teaching stool making on a course called The Rural Rest.