These are one-day courses designed especially for children (accompanied by an adult). It's a fun and relaxing day, and informative too.

We start at nine with tea, coffee or a soft drink, for a nine-thirty start. By finishing time, both adult and child will have completed various small items made from green wood. These courses are designed for novices and are restricted to pairings of one adult / one child for safety reasons.

The courses are hosted by myself and Mace Brightwater, an experienced coppice craftsman. We demonstrate how to use pole lathes and shaving horses and green wood hand tools such as the side axe, froe and drawknife. These are ancient wooden machines and tools that are easy to use with a little guidance and practice.

Of course, safety is paramount: as long as basic safety rules are adhered to, the tools are perfectly safe for children aged 10 and upwards to use. Each adult and child pair has their own pole lathe and shaving horse to use on the day, along with all the necessary tools and materials.

We break for tea, coffee, soft drinks, biscuits and cake during the morning and again in the afternoon but please also bring a packed lunch.

It's a relaxing and enjoyable time that's also stimulating and educational - for the adults and the children alike!

Essential Information:

The course cost is £95 + VAT (£109.25) per adult and child couple, including materials and morning and afternoon soft drinks and snacks. Tools are also supplied for your use during the course within this price.

In the interests of safety, please bear in mind that course bookings can only be accepted on the basis of each individual child being accompanied by an adult: two children must be accompanied by two adults!

The days run from 9.00 for a 9.30 start. We supply tea, coffee, soft drinks biscuits and cake for the morning and the afternoon breaks but you will need to bring your own packed lunch.

We aim to down tools at approximately 4.00 p.m. If you are arranging to be collected then any time after 4.15 pm is good. Of course, whoever is collecting you is welcome to come down to the woods, any time after 4.00 pm.

Sturdy footwear should be worn and although we can all comfortably work under shelter should it rain, it is worth bringing suitable clothing for the short walk across the meadow to the woodland workshop, and this path can get muddy. Full directions are supplied on booking.

If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to contact me, Guy Mallinson, direct: guy@mallinson.co.uk.

"Thank you so so much for the fantastic corse It was amacing. And all of the skills i had never heard of. it was one of the best days of my life.
from George.
p.s. I would Love to come again!"