A Fresh Start for 2026

I've spent the last few months doing something I probably should have done a few months ago, not at the beginning of December: stepping back and looking at how we do things around here. Not the turning itself (that bit I'm reasonably confident about) but everything that surrounds it. The website. The booking process. The little details that make the difference between a good day and a great one.

The result is a significant refresh for 2026, and I wanted to share what's changing and why.

The Website

If you've visited thewoodturning.school recently, you'll have noticed things look a bit different. The old site had grown cluttered over the years. Menus within menus, information scattered across too many pages, and a general feeling of having been assembled rather than designed. Sound familiar? It's what happens when you build something gradually without stepping back.

The new site is simpler. Four main navigation items instead of the labyrinth we had before. Clearer descriptions of what each class actually involves. Less corporate waffle, more honest conversation about what you'll learn and why it matters. I wanted it to feel like walking into the workshop: welcoming, not overwhelming.

Redesigned Classes

Most of the classes themselves haven't changed dramatically. The core teaching is still the same. But I've been thinking hard about the experience around them. What happens before you arrive. What you take home afterwards. The bits that turn a good day into something you remember.

Every class now has a proper student guide you can download before you book. Not a sales brochure, but a genuine look at what the day involves, what skills we'll cover, and how to prepare. It's the kind of thing I wished existed when I was starting out: a way to know what you're getting into before you commit.

I've also restructured some of the class content to make the progression clearer. Rather than cramming too much into a single day, I've focused each class on doing fewer things well. There's always the temptation to pack more in, but I've learned that depth beats breadth when it comes to actually learning something.

The Little Things

I've been adding some thoughtful touches that don't cost much but make a difference. Joining information in the class guide that clearly tells you what to expect. A pre-course email sequence that builds anticipation rather than just conveying logistics as well as other things I am working on.

It’s the attention to the details that will improve an already great (hopefully!) experience. They're the kind of details that distinguish a workshop that cares from one that's just going through the motions.

Guest Tutors for 2026

Colwin Way returns in June and October with his Viking Sunset Bowl class. If you've seen Colwin's work, you'll know why people travel from across the country for these sessions.

The June dates sold out almost immediately, but the October dates will go live on 30th January. If you're interested, I'd suggest setting a reminder. These classes don't hang about. Find them HERE.

Emma Cook (known to many of you as The Tiny Turner) joins us in June for two one-day classes. Emma brings something genuinely different: a blend of traditional turning with colour, texture, and artistic flair that you don't see often in the UK turning scene. She's the Chair of the Register of Professional Turners and one of the few professional female turners working today.

Her classes are bookable now, and I'd expect them to fill quickly. She's a popular guest tutor for good reason. Find her classes HERE.

Something New: Introduction to Hollowing

I'm also quietly excited about a new class launching in March: an Introduction to Hollowing. It's something I've wanted to offer for a while. That moment when you realise your gouge can't reach where you need it to go, and you need a different approach entirely.

I'm running a trial session in January to refine the content before the proper launch. If hollowing is something you've been curious about but never quite known how to start, this might be the class you've been waiting for.

A Word About Prices

I'll be honest: prices are going up a little in 2026. Like every small business, I need to keep pace with costs, and I'd rather tell you straight than pretend otherwise.

That said, I genuinely believe the value is better than it's ever been. The redesigned materials, the thoughtful extras, the clearer class structure. These aren't about charging more for the same thing. They're about making the whole experience more considered, more professional, more worth your time.

No pressure, of course. But if you've been circling a particular class, booking sooner rather than later locks in current prices. Some dates are already filling into March.

Looking Forward

I started The Woodturning School because I wanted to share what I love about this craft: the meditative quality of it, the connection to material, the satisfaction of making something with your hands. That hasn't changed. What's changed is how much attention I'm paying to everything else. The experience from the moment you book to the moment you leave, and everything in between.

2026 feels like a fresh start. I hope you'll join me for some of it.

Martin

P.S. If you fancy being part of a friendly community of turners between classes, take a look at Woodturning360 (woodturning360.com). Our online club with twice-monthly live sessions and a rather nice bunch of people.