More About Henwood & Dean Boat Builders
Henwood & Dean Team – Photo Henwood and Dean
At our rural workshop – a few hundred yards from the River Thames – the Henwood & Dean team of dedicated craftsmen has been carrying out the building, restoration, rebuilding and maintenance of Thames boats large and small for over 25 years.
Colin and Lucie Henwood run their business with a very professional approach and are committed to ensuring that traditional boatbuilding of the highest standard can survive and thrive in the 21st century.
The 1908 Thames Double Skiff 'Gillian' –
Kathy Mansfield Photography.
The quality of our workmanship is exceptional, and craft restored by Henwood and Dean have won many prestigious awards in recent years. The 1908 Thames double skiff 'Gillian' and the new 25ft electric launch 'Lady Helen' have both been awarded the Sheila Bourne Trophy for the Best Boat in the Show at the Thames Traditional Boat Rally - the Concours D'Elegance of the wooden boat world!
In addition, many boats restored by Henwood & Dean have been featured in Thames-based events and on television.
Varnishing – Photo Henwood and Dean
We consider it paramount that young craftsmen and women are nurtured, encouraged and given the opportunities to grow and gain experience within a business-like environment, and in recognition of this commitment we have been given an "Investors in Education" Award by the South Oxfordshire EBP (Education Business Partnership).
We were also the 2009 Winner of the South Oxfordshire EBP Vocational Programme Award, having been nominated by one of the local schools. We regularly welcome students for work experience in order to encourage young people to get involved in and learn about the thriving boatbuilding industry on their doorstep.
Lucie Henwood and other 2009 EBP Winners Photo OEBP
Young craftsmen working at Henwood and Dean
Photo Henwood and Dean
As well as encouraging individual training within our workforce and opening up opportunities for those still in full time education, Colin Henwood has long been involved with the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis where he occasionally runs short courses on wooden boat restoration for students whose ages, backgrounds and experience span a wide range.
Colin was also invited to support Falmouth Marine College bid for a Beacon Award; he is working with the Lakeland Arts Trust and their plans for the new Windermere Steamboat Museum; he has run short courses for boat owners at the renowned River and Rowing Museum in Henley; and is much in demand as an informative and enjoyable speaker at meetings of local groups and clubs. Colin is an official WI speaker!
‘The Venice Connection’ -
We have been fortunate enough to work on several Venetian boats including the beautiful Balotina ‘Nicolotta’ which underwent extensive revarnshing in the Winter of 2008.
Through membership of City Barge, an organisation dedicated to promoting Venetian rowing in this country, Colin Henwood has mastered the art of rowing Venetian style and will be rowing from Venice to Trieste in June.