Arriving Sunday evening 8th December, finishing Friday afternoon 13th December.

Numbers will be limited to a maximum of 10 students.

Halsway Manor is the National Centre for Folk Arts and runs a number of residential arts and crafts courses.

It is a great venue with a workshop big enough for 13 people. The course will run for just 5 days, but the workshops will be open for extended hours. We want to offer the opportunity for people already skilled to the level of graduating from violin making college to feel confident to also work on bows. All are welcome from those having no experience with bows at all, to the well-established restorer or maker who enjoys working with and learning from others.

The ‘tutors’, Derek Wilson, Chris Halstead and I will follow the same format as West Dean, ie a combination of working on our own bows for people to observe as well as giving guidance on any projects people wish to bring along.

Derek will be covering bow restoration, Chris will be focusing on rehairing (which he has taught at Newark and elsewhere for a number of years) and I will be making frogs and adjusters, with maybe a bit of stick making as far as the light allows in December!

All students will have their own bench but it will be completely up to each individual how much work they do as many find watching is the best way to learn.

The cost of the course, including full board, will be between £700 and £800, depending on room choice (full details given on the registration form).

If you are interested in attending then please send a short email to [insert email] saying what experience you have, what you would like to work on and to confirm that you are a BVMA member.