Woodturning Connect 2027
Biennial Exhibition & Competitions
When: 19th October, judging day, and private view reception in the evening. 20th October, public viewing and purchasing day, 21st October, public viewing, purchasing and prize giving. Tickets available through Eventbrite soon.
Where: Carpenters’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2JJ (map)
Timings: Competition pieces need to be at the Hall by noon on Tuesday19th October. The Hall will be open at 9am if you are coming in person. The public viewing and purchasing day with be open from 10 am until 4.00 pm on Wednesday 20th October and from 10am until 2pm on Thursday 21st October.
Book: Tickets are available via Eventbrite soon
Introduction
The Worshipful Company of Turners holds its turning competitions every two years. They attract entries from turners of all ages and skill. There should be a competition for you, whatever your interest or proficiency.
This page provides a summary of the ten competitions (the Master’s Exhibition is by invitation only). Linked pages provide more detail and online entry forms.
The competitions are organised by the Turners’ Company in association with the:
How to Enter
Rules and entry forms can be found on each competition page (links below).
There are also General Conditions of Entry that apply to all competitions.
A. The Worshipful Company of Turners’ Competitions
• The Master’s competition – The Master has chosen the theme ‘Light out of Darkness’. The Master is fascinated by the interwoven worlds of espionage in literature and in scripture, the emergence of truth from darkness. Your work might explore hope, transformation, resilience or finding light in difficult or challenging times. It could be literal or entirely abstract.
• Open Competition (Felix Levy Trophy) – A hand-turning competition open to all (ornamental and rose engine turning excluded), no restriction as to subject, size or style.
• Members Competition (Bert Marsh Plate) – A hand-turning competition open to all members of the WCT who are amateur turners, no restriction as to subject, size or style.
• Certificate Competition (Nic Somers Bowl) – A hand-turning competition, open to all those awarded the Company Certificate in Turning, no restrictions as to subject, size or style.
• Yeomen’s Competition (Julian Scott Trophy)– A themed turning competition open to all Yeomen. The theme this year is from ‘the Art & Mysterie’ of the Turners’ craft – to modern futures. No restrictions as to subject, size or style.
B. Competitions organised in conjunction with the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain. Open to members of the AWGB
C. Competitions organised in conjunction with the Society of Ornamental Turners. Open to members of the SOT
• Ornamental Turning (Lady Gertrude Crawford Trophy) – for conventional ornamental turning.
• Rose Turning (Fred Howe Trophy) – for rose turning or a combination of ornamental and rose turning.
• SOT Plain Turning (H E Twentyman Trophy) – predominantly plain turning, but with a discrete element of ornamental turning.
D. Competition organised in conjunction with Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Greenwood Workers. Open to members of the APTGW
- Pole Lathe, One competition, to produce a piece on a pole lathe
This competition is being held at Bodgers Ball in May 2027, though entries will be displayed at Carpenters’ Hall.
Key Dates and Times
Tuesday 19 October
- Set up, Judging and Evening Reception (by invitation only)
Wednesday 20 October
- Public Open Day, 10am – 4pm
Thursday 21 October
- Public Open Morning, 10am – 2pm, and Prize Giving
Other key dates specific to the competitions:
Monday 27 September
- Final date for competition entry forms
Monday 11 October
- Final date for delivering pieces to the Saddlers office (by courier or in person)
Tuesday 19 October
- Pieces can be delivered to Carpenters’ Hall between 9am and 12 noon
Thursday 21 October
- Pieces not sold to be collected between 3 and 5pm