All are welcome to our upcoming events listed below. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our events.
3rd June – BBA Talks: Adam Hill and Paddy Clarkson @18:00
We’re delighted to welcome Adam Hill and Paddy Clarkson for an inspiring talk about creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of reuse.
Few people understand how to reuse materials with such joy, flair, and commercial insight as Adam Hill. Together with his wife and business partner Maria Speake, he founded @retrouvius over 30 years ago. Since then, they have reimagined and reinvented parts of some of the UK’s most remarkable buildings — from library leather repurposed into interiors to the floors of Heathrow Terminal 2.
Since 2021, Paddy Clarkson has led the warehouse team at Retrouvius and brings deep practical knowledge of transforming old materials into beautiful new pieces. Paddy completed the BBA Furniture Making Course in 2024 and also creates his own furniture for sale through Instagram and London markets.
All are warmly invited to join our students for what promises to be a fascinating evening.
24th June – Launch Day @14:00
Our September 2025 cohort of the 40-week boatbuilding course will be taking their finished boats down to the harbour for their very first launch.
Four student-built boats will meet the water for the first time:
- 16′ Composite foam core & glued clinker dinghy
- 16′ Ebihen glued clinker cutter rigged sailing boat.
- 18′ traditional clinker Grimsay workboat, double ender with inboard diesel
- 17′ Strip planked Gartside #221 outboard runabout
Alongside the four launches our restoration project the 91 year old 18′ 6″ Carvel Cruising Sloop Decibel will be presented and is scheduled to be launched at our December launch day.
17-19th July – Thames Traditional Boat Show @10:00-23:00
Visit our stand at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival to enjoy live woodworking demonstrations, explore our student-built boats and handcrafted furniture, and chat with us about traditional craftsmanship and training opportunities.
It’s a fantastic day out for all ages. Find out more here.
31st July – Furniture Exhibition @15:30-17:30
Join us at the Lyme Regis Power Boat Club (opposite the Boat Building Academy) to see our the work of our 12-week furniture making students. They’ll be showcasing their beautifully crafted tote boxes, tables, and cabinets, along with the unique final project pieces they’re currently working on.
16th September – BBA Talks: Jack Livesey @18:00
Batch-Building Modern Wooden Boats
Jack Livesey of Paradise Boat Co., and Boat Building Academy graduate, reflects on his recent build of four wooden Bugatti motor launches, and discussing whether the future of wooden boatbuilding should be in batch construction.
18-27th September – Southampton International Boat Show
The Boat Building Academy returns to Southampton, co‑hosting the Wooden Boat Stage alongside the Wooden Boat Builders Trade Association and Women in Boatbuilding.
Enjoy live demonstrations of woodworking and ropework, alongside a vibrant programme of panel discussions, author talks, live music, short films, and workshops — all designed to educate, inspire, and get you hands-on with the craft.
3rd December – Launch Day @12:30
Our February 2026 cohort of the 40-week boatbuilding course will be taking their finished boats down to the harbour for their very first launch.
Student boat commissions will de decided in the first few weeks of the course and when they are decided we’ll the boats to be launched here.
11th December – Furniture Exhibition @15:30-17:30
Join us at the Lyme Regis Power Boat Club (opposite the Boat Building Academy) to see our the work of our 12-week furniture making students. They’ll be showcasing their beautifully crafted tote boxes, tables, and cabinets, along with the unique final project pieces they’re currently working on.
