From crafting decorative keepsakes to building handmade paddles and wooden bodyboards, Blyth Tall Ship, a heritage and education charity based in Northumberland, is offering people the chance to learn traditional woodworking skills in one of the North East’s most unique maritime settings.
Commercial woodworking courses return on June 15 and run through until November, giving complete beginners and experienced makers alike the opportunity to develop practical, transferable skills while helping to support the charity’s maritime heritage work.
Leading the programme is Martin Haig, one of the project’s shipwright trainers, who combines his role maintaining and restoring vessels with teaching traditional woodworking techniques to the public.
“We’ve got a fantastic facility here with all the tools and equipment people need,” said Martin. “The courses were first piloted several years ago and have continued to grow in popularity. This year, our team is expanding the range of workshops on offer. The money generated will support the ongoing restoration, maintenance and preservation of our traditional vessels.”
Participants on the courses have different reasons for attending. While some arrive with a practical purpose in mind, others simply want the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands.
One of the most popular workshops is the two-day paddle-making course. Participants select a design, work from professional templates and learn step-by-step techniques to shape the blade, handle and grip using traditional woodworking tools.
“We provide all the materials and equipment,” Martin explained. “People don’t need previous experience. We guide them through every stage and by the end they’ve created something unique.”
The courses are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level.
Martin recalls one participant travelling from Gretna Green to attend a decorative box-making course despite having no woodworking experience.
“She came down for the weekend and made a beautiful decorative box. Another participant was one of our office staff who had never worked with wood before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Among the more specialist courses available is the construction of traditional half-hull ship models. These detailed displays were originally used by shipbuilders before the days of computer design.
“Historically, half models were created as part of the design process for real boats,” said Martin. “What we do now is effectively the reverse process, creating beautiful display pieces based on existing vessel designs.”
Also new for this year is a wooden bodyboard-building course. Working with kits supplied by a local manufacturer, participants can create their own handcrafted hollow wooden bodyboard using specialist workshop equipment that would be difficult to access at home.
“We trialled the builds here last year and they turned out brilliantly,” Martin said. “Every board ends up with its own character because it’s handmade.”
What makes the courses particularly special is the setting. Unlike a modern training centre or college workshop, participants learn their skills inside a working maritime heritage facility surrounded by traditional boats, historic craftsmanship and the sights, sounds and smells of a busy boatyard.
The workshop is home to the restoration and maintenance of traditional vessels, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience an authentic shipbuilding environment that few people ever get to see.
“You can’t really recreate this atmosphere anywhere else,” said Martin. “You’re working in a genuine boatyard surrounded by boats under construction and repair. There’s timber being shaped, traditional skills being used and people passing on knowledge that has been developed over generations.”
For many participants, the venue itself becomes as memorable as the item they create.
The workshop combines traditional woodworking methods with modern equipment and safety standards, allowing people to experience heritage crafts in a practical and accessible way.
As a bonus, participants may also get the opportunity to tour the project’s historic sailing vessel if it is berthed alongside during their course.
“If the Williams II is alongside when the course is running, we’ll include a tour as part of the experience,” said Martin. “It gives people an even greater appreciation of how the skills they’re learning connect directly to the maritime heritage we’re preserving.”
For many participants, the courses fulfil a lifelong ambition.
Martin recalls one gentleman who attended a woodworking course in his late seventies after never having had the opportunity to learn woodwork as a child.
“He made a bird box which, I’m told, now has blue tits nesting in it,” Martin said. “It’s never too late to learn something new.”
Whether participants want to create a practical item for use on the water, build a unique feature for their home, or simply enjoy learning a new skill in an extraordinary environment, the courses offer an opportunity to develop confidence, meet like-minded people and become part of a living maritime heritage project. Individuals or groups are welcome to attend, the sessions offer a truly unique team building opportunity for businesses.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an absolute beginner,” Martin added. “We can guide you through the process and help you create something you’ll be proud of.”
Commercial courses begin on June 15 and continue throughout the summer and autumn until November. Full details of available courses, volunteering opportunities and workshop activities can be found on the Blyth Tall Ship website and social media channels. Www.blythtallship.co.uk