Western 2026 events
Please send an email to: [email protected] if you wish to be sent an invitation to a particular workshop.
IMPROVING SKILLS WORKSHOPS: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
This is an intermediate level, aimed at binders who would like to improve, or practice skills, in techniques such as:
- Sewing, and creating appropriate swell
- Forming and attaching boards
- Rounding and backing
- Sewing endbands
- Decorating edges (not gilding)
- Paring leather and covering
These integrated workshops are suitable for students who have completed at least one rounded and backed binding with laced-on boards, and who feel they can make a reasonable stab at sharpening tools and paring leather.
Each weekend will include a demonstration on a specific topic and you will be able to work on bindings of your own choice at your own pace, and/or concentrate on a few techniques or moving through a binding from endpapers to covering, with help and advice from the tutor. You will be supported throughout with a WhatsApp group and occasional Zoom sessions.
Tutor:
The tutor for this course will be Nesta Davies
Dates:
It will be held over six weekends from February to July 2026 on the following dates:
7/8th Feb, 7/8th March, 11/12th April, 9/10th May, 6/7th June, 4/5th July
Costs
£500, this includes some basic course materials, but it is expected that you will also bring or buy your own. Plenty of guidance can be given on this, both before and during the course. The course fee is similar to our daily workshop rate of £40 per day.
A deposit of £150 is required by 21st November 2025. The balance (i.e. £350) is required by 1st January 2026. If you need help with payments, or you need help with a different payment timing please contact Kate Gwynn to discuss this on 07787 504711. Bursaries may be available for part of the cost, and are simple to apply for. For information on apply, please contact Kate Gwynn.
Venue
Brittons Ash Community Centre, Bridgewater Road, Bathpool, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8FT
Additional Information
Please contact Kate Gwynn if you are interested in joining this course by emailing [email protected] for a booking form. Please confirm your interest even if, as a previous intermediate student, you have already registered an interest. Places will be limited to 10 students. This course is subsidised by the Western Region of the Society of Bookbinders. It is anticipated that you will attend each weekend to benefit fully from the course content. For further information on course content, to check suitability or ask course content related questions, please contact Nesta Davies [email protected] 079840 01830.
Date: JANUARY 18th & 19th - Sundays
Workshop: Criss Cross Long Stitch Binding with Mylyn McColl
Venue: Zoom
Times: 10 - 1.30 pm
Cost: £36
In this fun one day workshop you will learn how to make a variation on a long stitch binding. Preparing pages, creating a beautiful case using decorative papers and bookcloth and producing an intricate set of holes before attaching everything together with this highly decorative criss cross stitch using multiple coloured threads.
This wonderful book structure that lays flat, making it great for sketching and writing. You will be guided through each process of this heritage craft and shown how to use traditional tools of the trade. Given live and interactive step by step instruction through demonstration, at the end of the day you will finish with your own stylish notebook and the skills to make more.
*****
A material kit costed at £12 + £5 p&p will be provided and a tool list sent in advance
Date: FEBRUARY 14th - Saturday
Event: Western Regional AGM Plus ......
Venue: Stoke St. Mary Village Hall, Stoke Road, Taunton, TA3 5BY
Time: 11 - 3 pm
Cost: Free
Speaker: 'Printing and Planning for Bookbinding with Large Format Inkjet Printers' by Mark Burley
A popular event, where you will find a good table top sale, and of course plenty of chat, lovely food and drinks.
Date: MARCH 22nd - Sunday
Workshop: Gain Confidence in Sharpening & Paring with Royston Haward
Venue: Stoke St. Mary Village Hall, Stoke Road, Taunton, TA3 5BY
Time: 10 - 4 pm
Cost: £40 pp for Members £55 pp for non-members
Date: MAY 16th & 17th - Saturday and Sunday
Workshop: Fill That Page with Sue Doggett
Venue: Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, Exmoor, Somerset, TA24 7DR
Times: 10 - 4 pm each day
Cost: £40 pp per day for Members £55 pp per day for non-members
Dig out your paint boxes, coloured pencils, inks and messy materials for a weekend of practical, experimental creative work.
Explore how to approach that blank piece of paper and the beginnings of a design. This weekend course will give you a range of techniques to try out and will challenge you to fill that page. For those who wish to develop their paper into pages, there will be further discussion on how to take your 2D work into a number of simple book forms.
Date: JUNE 6th - Saturday
Workshop: Secret Belgium Binding with Mylyn McColl
Venue: St. Lukes Church Centre, Hatfield Road, Bath, BA2 2BD
Time: 10 - 4 pm
Cost: £40 pp for Members £55 pp for non-Members
Date: JULY 25th - Saturday
Workshop: Merry Go Round Book with Magalie Briand
Venue: Ruishton Village Hall, Cheats Road, Taunton, TA3 5JD
Time: 10 - 4 pm
Cost: £40 pp for Members £55 pp for non-members
Date: OCTOBER 4th - Sunday
Workshop: Techniques for Decorative Endpapers Using Simple Printmaking Methods with Hannah Brown
VENUE: Hannah's Bindery at Shepton Mallet
Time: 10 - 4 pm
Cost: £40 pp for Members £55 pp for non-members
Date: NOVEMBER 7th & 8th - Saturday and Sunday
Workshop: Paring and Covering a Full Leather Binding (and learn to love your spokeshave)
Venue: Stoke St. Mary Village Hall, Stoke Road, Taunton, TA3 5BY
Times: 10 - 4 pm each day
Cost: £40 pp per day for Members £55 pp per day for non-members
