Young Woodworker of the Year Award

£1,000 (Axminster Tools)

Heritage Crafts aims to ensure that traditional craft skills are passed to the next generation: to provide fulfilling livelihoods rooted in the human desire to make; as the building blocks of a more sustainable economy; and to better equip young people to tackle the unknown challenges of the future. For this to become a reality it is vital to celebrate the young people who are embracing craft skills today, already demonstrating excellence and becoming the role models of the future.

This Heritage Crafts Award, sponsored by Axminster Tools, is to celebrate a young heritage craftsperson aged 25 or under who has made an outstanding start to their woodworking career. The award winner will be highly skilled amongst their peers, whilst raising the perceived value of their craft through sharing and awareness raising. They will have given themselves a fantastic chance of achieving long-term success, perhaps overcoming disadvantage or setbacks along the way.

As well as woodworking itself, this award is open to practitioners of any craft that uses wood as its primary material, including for example wheelwrighting, boatbuilding, timber framing, marquetry, guitar making etc. To be eligible, the objects that the nominee makes must be made primarily of wood that has been worked using skilled hand techniques. Makers of composite objects are eligible as long as over half the material used is worked wood.

Anyone, including the maker themselves, can nominate for this award. Winners will be expected to attend the high-profile Winners’ Reception at the Vicar’s Hall, Windsor Castle on 15 November 2023.

If you are not 25 or under, there is also a non-restricted Woodworker of the Year Award currently open.

Opening date for applications: Wednesday 1 March 2023
Closing date for applications: Friday 15 September 2023, 5pm

To apply
Read the application notes and then apply online

Global suppliers of woodworking tools and machinery, Axminster Tools has spent 50 years building their family business into the renowned organisation it is today. Working together with makers and creators at all levels, from trade professionals through to craft enthusiasts, their commitment to supporting woodworking skills fits perfectly with the ethos of Heritage Crafts.