News
Woodturning Connect 2023, biennial exhibition and competitions
Call for Entries! Use our next competitions to CONNECT with a London audience and potential buyers to get your name known. They will be held at Pewterers' Hall with judging on 18th October, and a public view day on 19th October. Read more »
Barnaby Ash QEST Scholar 2022
We are delighted to announce Barnaby Ash is the latest Turners' Company QEST Scholar. Barnaby set up business with his partner Dru Plumb in 2020, and quickly drew the Company's attention to his creative and unique work. Read more »
Building Crafts College Prize Giving 2022
Congratulations to the winner of the Worshipful Company of Turners Award, Andrew Uren. Andrew is one of the keenest woodturners to have taken advantage of the College turning workshop. He has turned many beautiful pieces from his own timber reserves and been an inspiration to other students. Read more »
Charity
The Turners’ Company Charity
For 400 years (from bread for the poor in Ludgate in the 1600s, to supporting students suffering ‘device poverty’ during Covid 19), the Company’s history describes how, from its earliest days “the Turners, in common with most other Livery Companies, inherited a tradition of charity and benevolence”. Read more »
How you can support the Charity
On joining the Company, every Freeman is asked to promise that they will give an annual sum of at least £150 to the Charitable Trust, and if, as a Freeman or Liveryman, you are not already doing this, please do so. Read more »
Support & donations in 2020 & 2021
Throughout the 2020-2021 pandemic, the Charity has supported a number of good causes, including Livery Schools Link, a fundraising campaign to help buy laptops and tablets for the most disadvantaged students in secondary schools who are suffering device poverty. Read more »
Public events
The Lady Mayoress’s Sleep Out
Ditch your comfy, warm bed for a night and join the Lady Mayoress Felicity Lyons and Lord Mayor Alderman Nicholas Lyons at our second Sleep Out at Guildhall Yard on Thursday 16 March 2023. Read more »
Jury Trial & Error, The 2023 fundraising shows
In support of the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund (supporting Prison-Leavers & families) and Pan Intercultural Arts (caring for victims of human trafficking), there is another brand new ’Trial & Error’ Show this spring. Presented in Court No. 1 at the Old Bailey, from 13th to 16th March. Read more »
Collect 2023 Art Fair
Collect returns to Somerset House in London from 3-5 March 2023 (previews 1-2 March), and online at Artsy.net until 12 March 2023. This is an exceptional opportunity to discover and acquire new, museum-quality artworks from over 400 international artists at the top of their game. Read more »
Members' events
Members only event
Max Carey Trust Weekend
We have arranged for Company members to receive a weekend of tuition in woodturning at the Max Carey Trust from 28th to 30th April 2023. All abilities can be accommodated from absolute beginner to very proficient. Please book through the members area if you are wanting to learn to turn! Read more »
Members only event
Learn to Turn at The Woodturning Shop
Liveryman Les Thorne is offering a one-day experience of turning at The Woodturning Shop, Hampshire at a reduced price of £125 pp, available only to Company members and their guests, on 21st January and 18th February. Please book directly with Les. Read more »
Members only event
Common Hall and Richard Gardner Williams Banquet
The Richard Gardner Williams Banquet will be held on Thursday 23rd February at Girdlers' Hall. The banquet is held in memory of the Company’s benefactor, Richard Gardner Williams whose legacy in 1931 provided the financial support to enable the Company to build and flourish. Read more »
Features
The Turners’ Company and the Crown Jewels
A Past Master of the Turners’ Company, Professor James Tennant, Mineralogist to Queen Victoria, supervised the recutting of the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond. He transformed it from a large, flawed gem to the fabulous 105.6 carat oval brilliant to be seen in the Queen Mother’s Crown today. Read more »
Lady Gertrude Crawford, a remarkable turner
Lady Gertrude Eleanor Crawford was borne into an aristocratic family of turners but established her own mark as a lady turner at a time in history when it was very much a man’s world but proved she was as good as any of them. She was recognised by the Turners’ Company for her skill as […] Read more »
The Turners’ Consort
The Turners’ Company charity has commissioned a ‘consort’ of eight turned medieval-style recorders. Made by Tim Cranmore, one of the UK’s leading instrument makers, the Turners' Consort will be loaned to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama for teaching and student performances. Read more »
About the Company
Company
One of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London, the Turners’ Company was already a guild in the 12th Century. To this day the Company continues to celebrate and support the ‘art or mysterie’ of turning. Read more »
The Master’s Letter
It is a great honour to have been elected Master of the Turners’ Company on Ascension Day, Thursday 26 May, in the Company’s 418th year. The Election Court included Master Emeritus Richard Levy, who introduced me to the Turners’ Company in 2006. Read more »
The Turner Magazine
The Turner is the annual magazine of the Turners' Company. Subjects include the Company and its members, the craft of turning, educational and charitable activities and the City of London. The March 2022 edition is available to view now online. Read more »