Build your own bird box or bug house from recycled materials for beginners

My wife and I attended the course recently and loved it!

Scott talked us through how to source pallets as well as tips on picking the right kind and avoiding the wrong ones. He showed us the techniques to break down pallets into usable wood without destroying it as well as different tools that could be used in the process.

After a chat and tea we were shown how to construct a simple toolbox/carry case then, after a safety prep talk, let loose in the workshop with Scott and his partner helping an guiding us along the way. By the end of the day I had a sturdy tool box for my bits and bobs. My wife (who decided to go in a different direction) had a lovely side table waiting to be painted, varnished and installed at home.

Would definitely recommend this course. Scott and his partner are lovely and were great coaches. We're now planning on what were going to do next, as soon as we get some more pallets!

My daughter and I attended the one day camper van conversion course run by Scott.
The day was fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of carrying out a van conversion. Scott emphasises the importance of planing the van to suit the owner and points out simple to make but costly mistakes to avoid. We learnt about lining the walls and ceiling, installing water and electric systems as well as heating. A look around Scott’s daughters van conversion helped us to understand the systems that we’d learnt about earlier in the day. The amount of knowledge that Scott has on the subject has inspired my daughter and given her the confidence to make a start which she hopes to do very soon. We both found it a very informative and enjoyable day with the added bonus of homemade chocolate cake from Scott’s wife Sue. Thanks again and good to meet you all.

It was a very enjoyable day. Very rewarding using the angle grinder plus you get to take your firepit home.
Scott and Sue are very welcoming.

We did this one day course a while ago and still remember how good it was, especially in comparison to other courses people run for creative arts and crafts. We were welcomed, provided with drinks and health & safety was part of the day. A toilet was provided and you could wash your hands whenever you wished. Sadly this is not the case with all courses. The hosts were very friendly and good tutors too. Would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn, try things out and also be encouraged. We left feeling uplifted and positive, having had a most enjoyable and informative day.

We had an amazing couple of days working with pallets. Scott was an excellent teacher and had lots of advice and tips for things he'd learned the hard way. I came away with a great garden tool caddy and a lovely lamp, all made by me! Scott barely blinked and was then incredibly helpful to my sister who made a herb planter the width of our car and a garden gate!!! Thanks so much Scott and Sue.

I absolutely loved this weekend and I'm so proud of the things I made. Not only was this a brilliant way to learn to make things of pallets but Scott was full of helpful advice about woodworking in general. It seems incredible do have learnt so much in such a short and enjoyable space of time.

I had the best couple of days on the pallet up cycling course. I absolutely loved it. Scott was so friendly and helpful, sharing so much of his knowledge for so many things. Amazing cake homemade by Scott’s lovely wife Sue who taught us how to transfer pictures onto wood as well as sharing her knowledge for many other techniques.
We were made to feel so at home , just trying to decide what course I do with then next !
Amazing fun ,knowledge , cake , laughs and brilliant value , thank you again so much.
Now looking at buying a sliding mitre saw while husband rolls his eyes !!! ;)
Jane x

I had the most amazing day with Scott. It was great fun and I "made a thing"!!! I was ridiculously proud of the garden caddy that I made and am champing at the bit to make more things. Scott was a great teacher - calm, knowledgeable, encouraging and extremely patient (especially when I kept changing my mind on the design). The hospitality was great and his space is brilliant - lots of ideas scattered around the place for future designs. Sue provided great cakes and hit the nail on the head when she said I was channelling the joy of my inner eight-year-old! I highly recommend this course and will be signing up for more (sorry Scott!). A terrific day all around.
Dawn

It was an amazing weekend, i never did any wood work and now feel confident to build lots of different things, already have loads of projects in my mind to do around the house :)
Scott and Sue were amazing, i felt i was learning with friends...
Definitely recommend.

I had a really lovely day and learnt so much. It was a friendly, informal day, lots of advice and information. Bonus was the excellent cake baked by Sue. Definitely recommend this to anyone whether they have no knowledge of woodwork or want to improve their woodworking skills.
Thank you Scott and Sue for a really great day

I had such an amazing time with you. I really enjoyed it and my family were amazed at my creations. Thank you so much Scott and Sue xx

What a truly fabulous course you run Scott Sue and Max (black paw himself). I learnt so much and was amazed by how much we achieved in a weekend. Now inspired to create so much more! Photos to follow I’m sure

Such a fantastic course. I went with my son. Scott is a truly great teacher, explaining everything really clearly, really succinctly and then gives you the freedom and confidence to just get on with it and experiment.
Undoubtedly 5 stars from both me and my teenage son who loved every minute of it.

A fantastic course - for someone aware of the basics but lacking confidence in DIY skills, Scott and Sue have created a very accessible, useful, and most importantly fun course! Plenty of great tips, not just on upcycling, but DIY and woodwork in general, the chance to be creative, and you end up with some unique (and practical!) items to take home. Scott is a really great teacher, and they're both lovely people - thanks both!

Earlier reviews have eloquently set out the contents of this course and there is no need to repeat them. What has to be SHOUTED out is just how good this course is! It is highly instructive, different, makes you bring out the creativity you never knew you had, keeps you totally engaged to the extent of wanting to skip the lunch break and it is GREAT FUN!! Chris is just an excellent, natural tutor with a great people instinct and he is very ably assisted by wife Sue and lovely daughter - not forgetting Black Paw owner, Max! What a friendly family. Nothing is too much trouble for all 3 and you will never be left floundering. The weekend just hurtled by - do go for the 2 days - and I arrived home on Sunday night exhilarated, proud of my very modest achievements and tired out! Thank you Chris and Sue ...and, in case anyone didn't read this far, GO!

This was the perfect short course to get me moving from "I could do that" to "I made that".
Starting with the basics of sourcing and dismantling your pallet ( with advice on the best tools for the job) through simple construction methods and different wood finishing techniques , Scott and Sue provided comprehensive, practical advice in a supportive, friendly environment. We even learned how to incorporate lighting into a pallet wood project. Over the two days I learned to use both power and hand tools effectively and to try out a host of creative ideas. I also picked up lots of practical woodworking tips. This course opened up a world of potential projects to explore back home and it was great fun. Scott, Sue and Max the Labrador (the black paws behind the name!) were all great company. Highly recommended. Thank you.

Hi Scot
A great weekend of craft work and recycling of pallets. It was fun, informative and a truly a practical approach as to how one can create useful items and furniture from redundant pallets. Your excellent instruction will be put to use very soon to create some 'master pieces ' well at least some useful items of interest. Thanks to you and Sue- a wonderful time was enjoyed.
Best regards
Richard

A fantastic course! Taken by Scott, and Sue his wife and Max 'Black Paw' the lab were there too to help. Scott went through how to identify pallets, which you wouldn't think is important but certainly is! We then were taught how to take them apart, how to make a work bench in 5 mins. All the tools used, different types of nails, screws etc. How to use hand tool and power tools. The second day was also interesting, how to wire a plug and lamp, then we turned it into a cool floor lamp and we made a pallet armchair/throne. Scott is very knowledgable, and has great ideas. He explains things well and is patient to everyone's learning speed. Would 100% recommend to everyone!

Scott and Sue (and my new best friend, Max) were friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable. The opportunity to try out a huge number of tools was invaluable; I learned what I liked and disliked. The same goes for different finishes, oils, dyes and so on. Highly recommended!

Also, Glastonbury is well worth a visit, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan.

This was an excellent course. On the first day we dismantled our pallets and built our projects. On the second we experimented with different finishes, built a palette (not pallet!) of the results, and learnt some basics about incorporating wiring into our designs.

Scott is an excellent tutor, engaging and supportive. We worked at our own pace and the days were very hands-on. The days were very full and we had our money's worth. This was a really valuable weekend's work and I am delighted I chose this course.

What a superb course! Scott aimed the course at the level appropriate for the participants and supported us through the main processes of sourcing, dismantling, assembling and finishing a product. He was able to provide vital tips in all areas while answering any questions we had with ease. I feel confident now to begin creating any item of furniture from old pallets! Scott was a delight, engaging and supportive throughout. Thanks for everything.

The course was well put together.
With my partner, we are considering buying our first house, and the course covered loads of really relevant information and skills we will need in our new home. From how to wire a light to drilling brickwork and installing water pipes.
Scott is a great teacher and gave us loads of time and support to master the different skills during the day

A great day with loads of skills and building tips

I had an amazing day.
Scott gave me loads of support to learn how to make amazing stuff with old pallets.
the course was well put together and a lots of hands on doing stuff