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2 Day Introduction to Letter Cutting in Wood

13-14 September: explore the various processes of letter cutting in wood as you create your own small plaque in this weekend course.

  • Booking essential

Discover the art of traditional letter carving in this hands-on, full weekend course for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Guided by an expert craftsperson with over 20 years' experience, you’ll learn the fundamentals of drawing, spacing, and carving letterforms into wood using chisels and mallets. With a focus on precision, patience, and historical techniques, this course blends artistry with craftsmanship to help you create enduring inscriptions.

This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in letter cutting, either as an introduction to the craft or those wishing to extend their skills further. You will create a small plaque. Participants are asked to come with a word they would like to cut.

Your tutor is Tom Ball, an award-winning master carver working in wood and stone from his workshop at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. Since 2008, Tom has been working in restoration, and in 2020 Tom returned to City and Guilds of London Arts School to work as a tutor. Tom's carving and conservation work can be found in renowned locations around the country.

Our class sizes are small, so you'll have a chance to engage with the tutor while you work.

All materials and tools required for the course will be provided. This course takes place over two days, on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, 9am-5pm daily. There will be a short break for lunch each day and tea/coffee is provided.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Adult £325.00
Concession £245.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 0344 249 1895

Suitability

Not suitable for children.

Meeting point

The Orton Studio at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre in Coleshill village. Follow signs for the Coleshill Estate Office for the car park.

What to bring and wear

All tools and materials included. Wear practical clothes and shoes suitable for crafting. Please bring your own refreshments (or the means to purchase these from the on-site café).

Accessibility

Toilets on site, including accessible toilet. Level access into the teaching space. Some uneven surfaces such as cobbles due to the historic nature of the building. Please contact us if you would like to have an informal chat about access before you book.

Other

Mess room available for course participants to use during breaks. Drinking water and facilities for making tea and coffee available. Refreshments/lunches available to purchase from on-site café. Accommodation not included.

Contact info

Buscot & Coleshill Estate

Upcoming events

Event

Exhibition: National Saturday Club Young Makers 

12-17 August: an exhibition of work created at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre by talented young people through the National Saturday Club scheme.

Event summary

on
13 Aug to 17 Aug 2025
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 4 other dates or times
Event

Guided Tours: Secrets of Coleshill 

17 April to 11 October, 1pm and 2.30pm Thursdays and Saturdays: find out more about some of the lesser-known chapters of the estate’s history and look behind the scenes of the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.

Event summary

on
14 Aug to 11 Oct 2025
at
13:00 to 14:30
+ 35 other dates or times
Event

Bishopsland Educational Trust Summer School: Press Forming 

18-20 August: a 3-day, intermediate-to-advanced course to design and make a small press-formed object using the method of creating an open die tool.

Event summary

on
18 Aug 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
Event

Bishopsland Educational Trust Summer School: Stone Setting 

27-29 August: a 3-day, intermediate-to-advanced course to learn square setting.

Event summary

on
27 Aug 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00