Ambrose Vevers Woodworking reviews

19 Nov 19'

Ian reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Hugely enjoyable weekend - great location, great tuition, great atmosphere, new skills learnt and a fantastic bench to take home."

4 Oct 19'

Steve reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"A very well organised weekend. Interesting and unusual tools, some of which I had not used before. A most enjoyable time and a nice bench to show for it."

4 Oct 19'

Jill reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Super weekend. I look at my bench and can’t believe I made it! A perfect setting, expert guidance, all the necessary tools and just the right amount of help made for a great experience and a lovely piece of furniture. Soup at lunch was excellent too. Many thanks to Aidan and Ambrose."

28 Sep 19'

Fran O'Higgins reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Fantastic weekend! I'd never done any wood craft previously and I was a little apprehensive about the course. However, I shouldn't have worried and I had a wonderful time. Ambrose was knowledgable and patient. The setting was picturesque and food amazing. Aiden was also massively supportive and helpful. I have a new woodwork obsession..... I would definitely recommend this weekend course."

2 Jun 19'

Kelly Pritchard reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Such a great couple of days learning a range of traditional hand-tool techniques and crafting a beautiful bench to take home. The group was small enough to ensure quality input from Ambrose (our instructor) and help was always at hand if required. Great fun and lots to learn in a relaxed and informal environment."

7 May 19'

Harriet Hunt reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Outstanding course. I made a beautiful bench which I'm really proud of, and had a brilliant time doing it. Ambrose is a patient, understated and expert teacher who explains techniques and approaches clearly along with showing you the skills. The barn is a fantastic location, easy to reach from Ashburton and another beautiful example of Ambrose's skill. The delicious and wholesome food provided by Ambrose's sister is worth the trip in itself! I'm recommend to anyone of any ability with an interest in woodworking. You'll produce a work of art and learn a huge amount doing it."

1 May 19'

Chandrika Mukundan reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"A wonderful way to spend the weekend in a beautiful verdant setting. Ambrose and Aiden were excellent teachers- small group so better attention given; very friendly and guided well in creating our own masterpiece!"

29 Apr 19'

Andrew reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"This was a brilliant experience, and Ambrose & Aidan the perfect tutors and guides through two days of growing familiar with the material, tools and techniques. Every detail of the workshop felt carefully considered and well prepared, and fun. And you get to make something of value, and something of yourself, that didn't exist before. Very highly recommended."

17 Apr 19'

Adrian reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"Best Christmas present ever! A fantastic two days in a stunning setting. Ambrose expertly, calmly and patiently led our group to learn completely new skills to craft a lovely and very usable piece of furniture from nowt but rough hewn pieces of ash from his woods. It was such a joy to use excellent quality hand tools, the use of which we all picked up quickly after Ambrose's clear demonstrations and continual encouragement while allowing us to get on with it in our own styles. The group produced seven similar but all different beautiful stools in a friendly atmosphere including some amusing tales over Ambrose's sister's delicious soups at lunchtime and cakes at the end. I will be back!"

23 Oct 18'

John Hunt reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"An amazing weekend. Ambrose is a brilliant teacher, always ready to give advice, but equally comfortable to give you space to get your own feel for your project, all delivered with a humorous, laid back, relaxed, friendly approach. I have learnt a huge amount, and discovered I want to learn more. I will definitely consider more of Ambrose’s courses in the future. In addition to great tuition and friendly atmosphere, the course location is beautiful, and the delicious al fresco lunches and cakes cooked by Ambrose’s sister Emily are worth a journey in their own right. Best soup I’ve ever eaten!"

23 Oct 18'

Jo Holdaway reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"Could not recommend this weekend of learning, listening, doing, laughing and eating! Still amazed I started with a slab of rough wood and 48 hours later had managed to produce something unique, beautiful and functional that will be treasured forever. Ambrose and Aiden are super teachers and crafters and I will probably find bits of wood shavings in my boots and socks for many months to come...just brilliant! Thanks guys!"

15 Oct 18'

Justin reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"This 2 day course was absolutely brilliant and would be six stars if that were possible. Leave your tech behind for 2 days, get (almost) outdoors and fashion a unique piece of furniture from trees which were once part of the beautiful Devon Landscape. No prior woodworking skills required. The course was run from an off grid hand built wooden barn, by Ambrose, who was an excellent teacher, assisted by his woodworking friend Aiden. They both guided us through the steps required to work some rough pieces of wood into a hand carved and immensely satisfying piece of furniture. Each stage of the build was carefully explained and demonstrated; then we were left to our own devices (we used a good variety of them). The lunchtime food was warming and welcoming, catering for all diets and the cake was fantastic too. A highly recommended course for novice carpenters everywhere!"

11 Oct 18'

Catherine & Keith reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"The process of crafting a beautiful and functional stool from a piece of rough hewn wood is quite cathartic and highly recommended. Ambrose calmly and expertly guides you through the creative process, aided and abetted by the stunning Dartmoor scenery, lashings of sister Emily's homemade soup and the wit and humour of fellow participants. What are you waiting for?"

11 Oct 18'

Paul Santer reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"What a fantastic weekend we all enjoyed on Ambrose's weekend course! The location was perfect, on the edge of Dartmoor in a beautiful timber barn (which Ambrose built); the satisfaction derived from creating a fine piece of furniture out of a tree trunk in just two days was immense and the chilled and friendly style of Ambrose's teaching made the whole experience a joy. The other stool-makers were great company and quickly gelled as a group. On top of all this, Ambrose's sister, Emily, provided the most delicious and nourishing lunches each day which were enjoyed al fresco in the October sunshine. There was even home-made cake too! I can't recommend this course highly enough. Good luck in the future Ambrose!"

9 Oct 18'

Robin de Carteret reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"This is the 2nd course I've done with Amrose - he is great. Perfect balance of help and letting you get on with it. The furniture he make is beautiful and with his instruction I've managed to make 2 beautiful pieces. Delicious food from Emily too!"

9 Oct 18'

Mike reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"The ease and encouragement that Ambrose brings to teaching make the whole process of learning a new skill not only less daunting but positively enjoyable. A stool might just be a stool but a stool created from lumps of wood with your own hand is a piece of creative and useful art."

22 Oct 17'

Jenny reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"Thanks Ambrose, it was such a fun weekend. This is the first piece of woodwork I have done and I am really chuffed with the result. We’ve both come away with something we’ll keep forever. Jen"

22 Oct 17'

Mateusz reviewed: Contemporary stool making weekend course

"Sharp tools and wit, better than a meditation retreat, I promise. The venue is insanely well located, so if not for woodworking ( which Ambrose makes so easy), go for the location- a couple days in heaven... Utter picturesque hobbit land with thatched roof Airbnb just did it for me. Sure all participants made it back home not only with a stool each, but with a bag of memories too. I had fun there. A lot."