The Worshipful Company of Turners Bursary Awards 2024 – we are now closed for applications
In 2024 the Turners’ Company are offering Bursaries to help talented turners develop their skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. Applicants need to present a clear plan of how the award will advance their work and raise the profile of the craft. A total of £12,000 is available.
Applications for the next bursary awards are now open. The deadline for applications is Friday 30th August. Rules and application details are set out here: Bursary rules 2024
Bursary Award Winners 2022
After being made redundant from his job as a marketing manager in 2021, Jon decided to become a full-time greenwood worker. He has been a member of the Burwash Bodgers group since 2016. He uses handmade tools and a foot-operated pole-lathe to create unique wooden bowls. The wood he uses is sourced from local tree surgeons or from other woodworking projects that would be turned into firewood. Today, he is known for making beautiful wooden bowls and containers that are meant for daily use. Jon was awarded a full bursary for materials and further training with Sharif Adams.
Steve has worked as a self-employed gardener for the last 27 years and for the last 5 years, he has been learning Green Woodworking, becoming the lead facilitator, demonstrating and teaching for the Greenwood Group based at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses. He also occasionally works for John Waller, and recently ran courses. He has built his own lathe and aspires to teach pole lathe and bowl making, developing courses with a therapeutic element to them, and to sell his own work. Steve has been awarded a full bursary for tuition and materials.
Nathanael is an 18 year old autistic woodturner from Chester. He started turning at school and continued to self teach via YouTube videos. He currently works part-time for Axminster Tools in their shop, and has won numerous prizes for his turning, including Wizardry in Wood 2021, and 1st prize at the British Woodturner of the Year organised by the Guild of Master Craftsmen. Nathanael has been awarded a partial bursary to fund his attendance at the AWGB Seminar in October, plus further training.
Florence is a Green Woodworker and traditional craftswoman, living at a community woodland project, having built her own ‘tiny house’. She has been pole lathe turning for 4 years, has a degree in renewable energy engineering and has recently completed the Building Arts Programme with the Prince’s Foundation and QEST. Florence has begun teaching and assisting on many courses run by other makers. Florence has been awarded a partial bursary to fund the materials and manufacture of 2 pole lathes and hook tools, as well as tuition and travel.
Ruth Murchie
Ruth is a turner, demonstrator and historical interpreter, using 16th century turning. She first taught herself to turn on a homemade lathe in 2009. In 2017 she started on an electric lathe, and shortly after joined the AWGB. Ruth approached Simon Hope for mentoring in 2022. Ruth hopes to develop skills to the highest level, use multiple techniques and media to create unique pieces, formalise her own teaching and developing her own style. Ruth has been awarded a partial bursary to fund attendance at the AWGB Seminar in October, plus further training.
Nathan became a full time turner 18 months ago in Cumbria. He produces pieces for a boutique in Windemere, and would like to take his skill to the next level. He is interested in learning to turn big bowls and hollow forms, to learn new decorative finishing techniques, and create heirloom pens. He would also like to promote woodturning to others, teach and exhibit his work. Nathan is also interested in studying for the WCT diploma in woodturning. Nathan has been awarded a full bursary to fund the diploma, a big bowl course with Angus Clyne, guilding training with Ian Ellison and a pen turning course.
Arturo is currently working out of Cockpit Studios in Deptford having previously won a Turners Cockpit Award. He applied for a bursary to gain training with product designer and architect Umut Yamac to focus on refining design, manufacturing and product creation and taking part in the construction of pieces in his personal workshop. Arturo has a BA in Graphic Design, a Masters in Visual Arts Designer Maker, won many awards, given talks and has published in the Woodturning Press as well as House and Gardens Magazine and the Telegraph. Arturo was awarded a partial bursary to develop his craft by working with Umut Yamak.
Dennis owns Woodturning Hartlepool, and woodturns full time. He is a qualified AWGB tutor and recently joined the RPT. He volunteered at the Help for Heroes recovery centre, Phoenix House, and is a Falklands War Veteran. He has received grants to continue to help others with mental health issues learn woodturning. He would particularly like to learn from Joey Richardson, grow his business and provide more training courses. Dennis has been awarded a full bursary for training, travel and equipment.
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.