Bursary Award Winners 2024
In 2024 the Turners’ Company offered Bursaries to help talented turners develop their skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. Applicants needed to present a clear plan of how the award would advance their work and raise the profile of the craft. A total of £12,000 was available.
Applications for the next bursary awards will be available in early 2026.
Glenn is a self taught woodturner. He set up a turning club at a local mens charity in 2019, in 2020 turned various items for a scale model for the Mayflower ship, which are now on display in his local museum. In 2023 he displayed his work at several craft fairs, and decided to take a few turning lessons with Martin Saban-Smith and Les Thorne, followed by Emma Cook. Has been selected to have some work displayed at a local interior designers’ new showroom, and recently was asked to give a woodturning demonstration. Glenn has a background in medical education and would eventually like to establish a woodturning teaching business. The panel were impressed with the work Glenn has produced and the commitment he has made to helping introduce others to turning. He has been awarded a partial bursary to continue his good work.
Kirsty runs her own craft line called Primitive Woodland Line. Specialising in woodwork, utilising traditional methods of woodturning, hand carving and pyrography, Kirsty trained under Jack Anderson. She regularly exhibits throughout Scotland at galleries and design events. The panel were impressed with the work Kirsty has produced and her passion to establish her career as a full time turner. Kirsty has been awarded a partial bursary to gain tuition with Emma Cook.
Nicholas Fisher
Nicholas was recently accepted onto the Small Woods Association Coppice Apprenticeship scheme. This has been invaluable experience to further his greenwood craft knowledge and skills. He would like to work as a sole trader in coppice work and greenwood and to have more time for pole lathe turning, producing items for sale. Nicholas plans also to demonstrate at festivals and events, and eventually offer courses. Nicholas has been offered a full bursary to advance his woodturning career aims. He will have tuition with Jay Butters and Yoav Elkayam.
Jeffrey has a commitment to low-impact, high-performance construction techniques, and a desire to share these skills with others. He spent his early years in the USA where he self funded natural building courses, and volunteered to gain practical experiences. He gained an apprenticeship with the Prince’s Foundation in the UK and built a career as a natural builder and educator, focusing on using low-tech natural materials to create healthy, efficient homes. Jeffrey is passionate about integrating these principles with his work in traditional crafts, such as pole lathe turning and spoon carving through his roles at Nettlecombe Craft School and the Building Sustainability podcast. Jeffrey’s goal is to inspire and empower others to embrace sustainable practices and traditional crafts. Jeffrey has been awarded a full bursary for tuition with Matt Whittaker.
Jason was a professional carpenter, but suffered a broken back at work and is now in a wheelchair. He took up woodturning which helped his recovery and it is now his sole occupation. In 2020, he won the Turners Cockpit Arts award which has changed his life, giving him belief and confidence. He demonstrates how to turn on his TikTok channel which is aimed at helping other disabled turners to overcome difficulties. He is now ready to develop his work further. After 7 years of combining wood and resin, his aim is to add colour and patina through airbrushing and gilding. Jason has been given a full bursary award to train with Clunie Fretton, a classically trained sculptor, carver and gilder, and Joey Richardson.
Alexander is a graduate in Furniture at Central Saint Martins, 2023. He would like to incorporate woodturning into his furniture design and his focus now is to produce sculptural vessels with a design led approach. The panel is keen to support Alexander and have given him a partial bursary award to enable to him increase his body of work, and gain some training from Stuart Mortimer.
Jack is a professional woodworker and artist with experience in traditional woodworking, handcraft and sculpture (BA hons in sculpture). He built a pole lathe in 2020 and has taught himself to use it. He would like to learn new approaches specific to end grain turning with hook tools. Jack has a full bursary award to enable him to travel to Monmouthshire for training with Yoav Elkayam.
Bursary Award Winners 2022
Bursary Award Winners 2019
Bursary Awards Winners 2017
Bursary Award Winners 2015
Bursary Award Winners 2013
Kevin Garwood
John Turner
John Fells
The bursary has enabled the winners to attend training courses, seminars, and some have also purchased or loaned equipment. Michael Hanbury attended a 3 week training course at the Escoulen School of Turning in France as a result of his bursary win. Further information about these winners can be found on page 15 of the Summer 2013 issue of The Turner.
Bursary Award Winners 2011
Bursary Award Winners 2009
Bursary Award Winners 2007
Bursary Award Winners 2005
Bursary Award Winners 2003
Bursary Award Winners 2001
Christopher Barker
Mark Hancock
Laura Ponting
If you have been inspired to try your hand at woodturning, visit the Register of Professional Turners website where you will find a UK wide list of dedicated turners, teachers and demonstrators.