About your Instructor
I’m Roland, a chap in his mid 70s who’s had a quite varied life so far. A former student at Birmingham College of Art, as well as working in glass I spent many years as a book illustrator, before stepping over the drawing board and becoming an agent for other illustrators. I had the privilege many years ago of being educated in stained glass by Edward Payne (son of Harry Payne, a founder member of the Arts and Craft movement). Edward was at the time in charge of the restoration of the stained glass in Gloucester Cathedral. Under his tutelage I gained an enduring love of working with glass, mainly in the traditional lead and glass method.
Courses
I run courses for complete beginners and for those with a bit more experience. I’m also happy to arrange private tuition on a 1:2:1 basis or for groups of up to six. Everything is provided, tools, materials even an apron! The venue for these events is either at my workshop in Cheltenham or other locations in Gloucestershire. Alternatively I can come to you.
At the moment I have two one-day courses with available spaces, both at Larkswold Creative Workshops at Adlestrop near Stow on the Wold in middle of the Cotswold Hills.
Sunday 2nd August 2026 & Friday 2nd October 2026
The easiest way to book onto one of these is via Larkswold’s website at larkswold.com or, to go straight to the booking part, larkswold.com/book-online It’s a fabulous venue in the beautiful Cotswold countryside with a river running right by the workshop. Lunch is provided and cakes are always available, both included in the price.
Here is a typical program for a one-day course.
This one day course will introduce beginners to the world of stained glass. We will take you through the whole process of designing and producing a stained glass panel to take home, from initial sketch, to final piece. Choosing the colours of glass, cutting the pieces, setting them in the lead, soldering it all together and the final sealing and polishing to produce a beautiful artifact that, if looked after, will last for hundreds of years.
Everything is provided, the tools to work with and the glass and lead to create your pieces, refreshments throughout the day and unlimited advice.
You need to bring nothing other than yourselves, clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, proper shoes (no open toed sandals please!) and a desire to learn a fascinating and centuries old craft.
9:45 Arrival
10:00 Introductions and brief run through of the structure of the course
10:15 A talk about the tools we will be using, their functions and how to use them, including demonstrations.
10:40 You have a go at trying these out. Cutting glass, stretching the lead, soldering etc.
11:15 Preparing your design.
11:45 We start to cut the glass for our piece.
13.00 Break for lunch.
13:30 Assembly of your piece, cutting the lead and generally getting it all ready for soldering.
14:00 Soldering, a vital part of the process to hold the piece together!
15:00 The final cementing, cleaning and polishing that makes it more rigid, weatherproof and generally a lot stronger.
16:00 Finish – over run if necessary!!
h f the Cotw
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1:2:1 tuition
I am happy to provide personaised tuition at any level tailored to a students specific needs. This can be on a 1:2:1 basis or for any number up to six.
I am happy to provide personaised tuition at any level tailored to a students specific needs. This can be on a 1:2:1 basis or for any number up to six.
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Courses you can book onto.
This is where I will be publicising courses for beginners, as and when they are available. At the moment all of the courses that I have arranged are already fully booked. I will be arranging more very soon. Meanwhile private tuition always remains a possibility. Contact me directly If you would like to arrange something with me.
This is where I will be publicising courses for beginners, as and when they are available. At the moment all of the courses that I have arranged are already fully booked. I will be arranging more very soon. Meanwhile private tuition always remains a possibility. Contact me directly If you would like to arrange something with me.
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Lesson 2 this area is awaiting devepoment
Introduce your lesson with an optional, short summary. You can edit this excerpt in lesson settings.
Introduce your lesson with an optional, short summary. You can edit this excerpt in lesson settings.
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FAQs
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.