Taxidermy training day 13th November 2026. Derby Conference centre

We are thrilled to announce that bookings are now open for the unique training day by the Guild of Taxidermists in conjunction with the 2026 Anniversary year Annual Conference!

Book your conference place here: conference booking

When: 13th  November 2026

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Doors open 13th November 10.30 am.

Friday training session commences 11.30am - 4.30pm

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Venue: The Derby Conference Centre (DCC), Derby, UK

Reduced ticket rate accommodation (limited availability) 

Learn more about the venue – The Derby Conference Centre

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What to Expect

 Peter, Permilla and Mark  are hosting unique training events upfront of the conference on Friday the 13th where you can bring your pre-prepared bird skin and mount it with their assistance. A unique and rare opportunity to learn hands on with the masters of the craft - places are limited) 

Training class 1

 Peter Sunesen & Pernille Stenby

 £130 p/p

What you need to bring :

• A pre prepared bird skin.
• Your usual tools used for the mounting process
• Eyes, clays and fillers, preservative, wires and mounting base
• Manikin/body

Peter and Pernille will aim to also provide a carved body constructed for the following species for you to compare with and use in your specimen if you wish:

Preferred species for the day are: Woodcock. Jay. Crow. Magpie. Partridge. 

You are however welcome to bring any species of small to medium sized bird and you will be contacted to provide details of the specimen you'll be working on in advance - we will try our best to accommodate the supply of a body if its not on the list. Please bring your own manikin so that comparisons and pointers for adjustments can be made.

This is a group session that will be fun, informative and hugely beneficial to your taxidermy progress. 

Class size limit=  15 

Mark Buhagiar

 £125 p/p

What you need to bring:

• A pre prepared bird skin.
• Your usual tools used for the mounting process
• Eyes, clays and fillers, preservative, wires and mounting base
• Manikin/body

Mark will aim to provide a stock polyurethane foam body from his collection for you to use on the day if you wish:

Preferred species for the day are: Woodcock. Jay. Crow. Magpie. Partridge. 

You are however welcome to bring any species of small to medium sized bird. You will be contacted to provide details of the specimen you'll be working on in advance - we will try our best to accommodate the supply of a body if its not on the list. However, Please bring your own body so that comparisons can be made.

This is a group session that will be fun, informative and hugely beneficial to your taxidermy progress. 

Class size limit=  10

Contact the Conference Organiser:
    Steve Smith – stevesmith.got@gmail.com

Staged ticket options available upon payment of a non-refundable deposit.

All balancing payments must be made by the 12th of October 2026