This is a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the management of British woodlands, it’s harvesting and preparation of timber by sawmills and use in the production of quality handmade furniture.
This two-day event will share some of what our Snowdon Summer School and Create programme students learn about Forestry and timber milling, followed by a series of make talks from local craftspeople who are leaders in their fields.
Day one
Geraint Richards - Head Forester for The Duchy of Cornwall, and President of The Chartered Institute of Foresters.
Geraint is responsible for the management of the trees, woodlands and forests across the Duchy of Cornwall’s extensive land-holding and is involved with other estates associated with His Majesty The King. He teaches students at the Snowdon School of Furniture every year and will lead us on a private tour of local Dutchy woodland and share his knowledge of woodland management.
Dermot Doyne - Sawmill Manager at the Woodland Heritage owned Whitney Sawmill site in Hereford.
Dermot's background is as a Furniture Maker and so he is ideally placed in preparing and drying native timbers for use in furniture and beyond. Dermot kindly hosts students of the Snowdon School of Furniture and will deliver a talk on his site and the processes they employ from selecting trees, purchasing, cutting, drying, and sale of British timber.
Day two
Stewart Linford – Windsor chair maker
A chair maker trained in the High Wycome Tradition, Stewart has been making chairs since 1976. A one man band has grown to a workforce of 42 by 2003. Among the many accolades bestowed was the Queen’s award for enterprise as a result of the companies extraordinary achievements. Thousands of clients served include: Harrods, The National Trust, The V & A and Geffrye Museums plus celebrities and noble families around the world. Stewart now teaches and gives talks on the history of these fascinating objects.
Alec Goldsworthy – Timberpride Timber frames
Back in 1995 Alexander and Victoria started Timberpride with loan from The Princes Youth Business Trust, with a great team and years of hard work this loan has turned into the business you will find today in Tetbury.
Alec utilises timber from The Crown estates and The Duchy of Cornwall which have many acres of beautifully manages forests and sometimes he is able to proudly tell his customers that their frame is made from Royal Oak.
Nick Wright – Snowdon School of Furniture
Nick trained at Rycotewood in Oxford before attending the Snowdon School of Furniture in Dumfries House. An experience led to a job as a maker with local craftsperson Jonathan Rose. Nick came to The King’s Foundation in 2022 to help set up the new Snowdon School of Furniture and was promoted to School Manger a year later.
Jonathan Rose – Fine Furniture maker
Jonathan is a maker of fine furniture with a distinguished client list. He has always been based locally and has had a long association with The King’s Foundation having taught on the Snowdon Summer School since its inception in 2016. He employs a small and highly skilled team maintaining the highest levels of craftsmanship.
Who is the course/workshop for?
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in furniture making, particularly those who wish to work mre sustainably using British timber.
How many people can attend?
12 places are available
What days do I attend?
14th - 15th June 2024
Where will this course/workshop take place?
Highgrove Traditional Crafts, Doughton, Tetbury, GL8 8TQ
What should I bring?
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for day walking in the woods and workshop. A sturdy pair of shoes of boots will need to be worn.
Accessibility:
Our buildings at Highgrove Traditional Crafts are listed historic buildings so we do have some accessibility challenges. If you have any accessibility requirements please do email us on highgrove@princes-foundation.org and we will do our utmost to accommodate everyone.
Terms & conditions:
The Prince’s Foundation reserves the right to discontinue or suspend a Course up to fourteen (14) calendar days before the advertised start date of the Course. This course requires a minimum number of enrollments to run.
Our normal terms and conditions apply, with the addition of the following:
Please don't attend if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms. We will be happy to refund your fee, or put your fee towards a course on a future date in the next 12 months.
