Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker is back
We do love a new TV show in autumn, so craft fans will be thrilled to know that Channel 4’s Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker is returning to our screens very soon.
If you’ve been missing some crafting comforts from the likes of The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throwdown, this TV competition set in glorious ancient Welsh woodland could be just what you need.
Celebrating the beauty of wood, the third series of Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker sees 10 talented woodworking enthusiasts take to the workshop to compete for the coveted title of Britain’s Best Woodworker.
Each week, competitors will take on the challenge to build wonderful works of wood in just two days – combining epic scale with fine craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. They’ll also face a range of surprise challenges that test their core skills.
They have to impress the judges, entrepreneur and woodworking expert Sophie Sellu and design academic Tom Dyckhoff, to remain in the competition. Presenter and comedian Mel Giedroyc oversees the competition.
In episode one of the new series, the contestants will be challenged to make a garden bench for a garden of their dreams, with enough space to share with a loved one. As a twist, whoever wins the skills challenge each week – which will be creating a wooden greetings card in the first episode – will get a guaranteed place in the next round.
Who are the Handmade: Britain's Best Woodworker contestants?
Ade
Trainee carpenter from Birmingham
Ade has travelled the world working in hospitality, until he embarked on becoming a carpenter. He is new to woodworking but hopes his joinery experience will give him an advantage.
Caroline
Veterinary nurse from Tyne and Wear
Mum-of-two Caroline runs a women's woodcraft course, as well as working as a veterinary nurse. She took up woodworking in her late 30s and isn't afraid to tackle bigger builds.
Clare
Tradeswoman from Glasgow
Clare is a self-employed tradeswoman with a degree in Fine Art Sculpture. She doesn't have a workshop, so completes her projects under a gazebo while battling the elements.
David
Assistant head teacher from Preston
Primary school assistant head teacher David lives with his wife and daughters and their cats. He developed his interest in woodwork over lockdown, working on projects in his home and garden.
Jen
Teacher from Aberdeen
Jen studied graphic design at university and now teaches Design Technology at a secondary school. She took up woodworking as a hobby in her spare time.
Leo
Teacher from Liverpool
Music teacher Leo took up woodworking in 2018 – he needed to find a new hobby after a car crash left him without functional use of his right arm. Leo uses his YouTube channel to document his woodworking and raise awareness for his disability.
Nate
Housing manager from Kent
Nate is slowly renovating the house he shares with his wife and two young sons. His father was a talented woodworker, and Nate attributes his skills to watching him work.
Nathanael
Tools and machinery sales assistant from Chester
Nathanael is the youngest woodworker in the competition, at just 18 years old. He discovered his passion at school where he was introduced to a woodturner, and now he makes unique pieces of art on it.
Paula
Carer from Oxford
Paula was introduced to woodworking age 9 by her father. She and her husband have fostered more than 30 children, and has taught basic woodwork skills in a rehab centre.
Wolfgang
IT manager from West Midlands
Originally from Germany, Wolfgang now lives in the West Midlands with his wife and their two horses and two cats. His passion for woodturning started age 10, and now he creates art deco pieces with a 21st century twist.
Handmade: Britain’s Best Woodworker starts on Channel 4 at 8pm on Sunday 8 October and is also available on All4
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