Dave Cockcroft reviews

4 Mar 20'

Andrew Middleton reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"This course, and of course Dave, provided a very good introduction to the skill of spoon carving. For me it was especially useful to get hands on with the four basic tools and to experience their use. The pace was very good and we all ended up with useful items, the spreader has already been in use. Highly recommended."

21 Feb 20'

Rosie reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Dave is an excellent teacher; his course was fun, I was really happy with the skills I honed & developed and he is very knowledgable, sharing what he knows in an interesting and well paced way! Lovely venue too. A great way to spend the day."

18 Feb 20'

Samuel Souter reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Really enjoyable day learning to carve spoons with Dave C. The Subscription Rooms in Nailsworth provide a suitably creative, artsy environment, and Dave is a very personable tutor/top bloke. Perfect pace to the day - felt like I learnt a goodly amount in the day to get going with spoon-carving in my own time now, without it being too slow or super-intense. Highly recommend."

30 Nov 19'

Richard Pettman reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"What a fantastic day! Dave took us through the whole process to carve a spoon from chopping the billet from a log right through to how to finish the spoon with oil and paint, with a little diversion into how to care for and sharpen the tools along the way. Then we were let loose with a billet of wood, axe and knife. Dave guided us all the way with safety being the number one priority and by the end of the afternoon we had all made a fantastic spoon and a spreader knife. I would thoroughly recommend Dave's course to anyone who fancies a go at carving a spoon."

28 Nov 19'

Heidi Lee-Webber reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"My husband and I attended this course on Saturday 23rd November and although it was wet and miserable outside we were all warm and snug inside the yurt. Very good course - Dave is very helpful and has advice for beginners and improvers. Axe work was very good, as I hadn't realised how much work could be done in shaping the design with such a large instrument! By the end although tired (with all the thinking!) I felt we'd all learned a great deal and will be continuing with both spoons and spreaders."

24 Nov 19'

Steve Wills reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Fantastic course. Dave is such a good teacher. I'm hooked and will be carving from now on"

26 Sep 19'

Laure reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I recently spent the day spoon carving with Dave at the Woodward. It was a fantastic day, Dave is a great teacher with plenty of knowledge and patience. Safety was paramount and yet we all came home with two handmade pieces, a spoon and a spreader, not bad for a days work, considering we started off with a lump of wood and an axe. I also purchased a few more spoons which I will use as reference for my winter spoon carving. So all in all I found this day enjoyable, relaxing, informative and I totally recommend it, my only regret is that I didn’t stay for the second day!"

24 Sep 19'

Alex Dagger reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Fantastic day spent carving with Dave at the Wood Yard near Tetbury. This was my second beginners spoon carving course, so I came with a bit of knowledge and hopes of improving what I knew. Dave instantly likeable and very relaxed and good fun to be around. He was also really knowledgeable about woodcraft and spoon carving and made time to regularly guide each individual on the course at their own pace offering advice and corrections to our techniques as we went along. He welcomed all questions as we whittled away the hours and gave us regular tea & coffee breaks to stretch our legs and chat amongst ourselves. On request Dave also gave us a really useful introduction on stropping & sharpening your tools which can be a bit daunting for a beginner, until you know how! Hoping to join one of his next monthly spoon club meetups too. Highly recommended for anyone looking to get into spoon carving or any spoon carving improvers too."

4 Sep 19'

Gilly Young reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I have always loved the idea of carving spoons so was thrilled when my daughter gifted me Dave's course. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and am totally hooked! Dave was the perfect host and a patient teacher, it was really special to be taught by such a skilled craftsman. I would highly recommend Dave's course."

14 Aug 19'

Clare reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Came back a second time and brought friends! This is a really excellent course and Dave pitches it just right. You’ll come away feeling like you learnt a lot and had a lot of fun."

1 Aug 19'

Dominic Jeans reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"An amazing time. I felt like I had gone back in time and back to nature whilst picking up some great skills and knowledge. I would definitely recommend."

29 Jul 19'

Richard Embling reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I’ve been wood carving for a number of years but never tried green woodworking or spoon carving. After being gifted a Gransfors wildlife hatchet recently I got in contact with Dave. This is such a fantastic course. Dave clearly knows his stuff from his many years experience. His teaching style is relaxed and clear. Demonstrating safe use with both axe work and knives. I learned a huge amount and felt inspired at the end of the session. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning spoon carving."

2 Jul 19'

Wayne reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"A great course. I'd made a few spoons and wanted to improve and was given the course as a birthday present. Dave used a system of demonstrating a skill then allowing us to practice, building up our skillsets over the course of the day. I learned loads and really enjoyed the day. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and the situation of the workshop was rural idyll. Happy to recommend to anyone who has an interest."

18 Apr 19'

Chris Wheatley reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"What a great course, ran by an excellent teacher. Although I’m an occasional whittler I’ve never been any good at carving spoons. I learnt loads on this course, not only about carving spoons but about carving & axe and knife techniques in general. And what an amazing location. It seemed fitting to be carving in a yurt in a field."

17 Apr 19'

Christina Edgren Bawden reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Fantastic course suitable for beginners and improvers. It really helped me get my head around the techniques that can’t be understood from looking at videos or reading books. The yurt was a great location and the tools provided on the day were well looked after. I highly recommend this course."

16 Apr 19'

Jon Briggs reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"This was a top-up course for me and really worthwhile. Dave gave plenty of individual attention in a cosy yurt. I refreshed and upgraded my understanding of knife holds and techniques, along with some facts about wood I’d not picked up on before. Lashings of tea and awesome flapjack :-)"

5 Apr 19'

bram hulsman reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Very good course, i really enjoyed it. Dave is a good teacher, everything is explained and displayed nice and clear. Takes time for everyone individually. Definitely recommend for both beginners and improvers!"

27 Mar 19'

Jon Teague reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Had a great day on the course. Already had my own tools, the Spon book and had tried a few spoons by myself but Dave's help and advice on the day was invaluable. Reading Spon and watching videos online is no substitute for Dave watching what you're actually doing and giving some directional nudges. Great atmosphere too and also excellent flapjacks."

26 Mar 19'

Graham Beadle reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Dave's experience to myself as a semi experienced carver was still valuable and learnt a few extra things throughout the day. There's always stuff to learn but Daves friendly gentle and laid back approach to teaching shone throughout the day along with the glorious sunshine that warmed the cosy yurt after the morning logs had accomplished their job. Tea coffee and Daves homemade flapjack made for a thoroughly nice day out."

4 Mar 19'

Simon Rowe reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Really enjoyed my day learning to carve a spoon with Dave. He was extremely well prepared and provided really helpful tuition concerning the use of the axe and knives. Plus the follow-up materials he sent after the course are just what you need to keep on progressing. No hesitation in recommending Dave and this course."

2 Mar 19'

Elaine Moore reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Dave was a great teacher, informative, helpful and patient. He made sure everyone knew what they were doing and gave advice when needed. Being a complete novice when it comes to spoon carving, I now feel confident I could carve a variety of spoons on my own. I had an amazing time, and the flapjacks were extremely yummy!"

30 Jan 19'

Harry Wilson reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"A very enjoyable day full of interest with the opportunity to handle a variety of tools. Instruction was well paced and constructive. Highly recommended."

30 Jan 19'

Marcus Murphy reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"What a fabulous day! Thanks Dave. The course on Saturday was very enjoyable, informative and well run. It has certainly rekindled my interest in working with wood and I'd highly recommend Dave's course. I also learned how to sharpen tools which has been very useful. My axe has never ben so sharp! ...a really nice bunch of other students to"

28 Jan 19'

Steve reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"This is an excellent course. Very informative, relaxed and enjoyable...and you get a spoon out of it at the end! It is testament to how much everyone was enjoying themselves when I noticed, on a couple of occasions, that there was complete silence as everyone was so engrossed with their carving and in a world of their own. I will definitely be keeping up spoon carving and would like to say a big thankyou to Dave for such a great day."

28 Jan 19'

Lucy Chivers reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I had such a good day. The venue was perfect. Plenty of space, comfortable, inspiring! Dave is a great teacher, very experienced and patient with deep knowledge of the craft which he gives freely and with enthusiasm. I explained my teaching style which he responded to perfectly, always the sign of a great teacher. He involved everyone in every stage and tailored the content accordingly. We started off with introductions (a bit like spooners anonymous!) and went into safety and axe and knife grips and how to use them on a piece of practise wood. Then we went straight into making a butter spreader and onto a spoon in the afternoon. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, ample tea and coffee breaks and the most divine flapjack I have tasted. Dave followed up with a comprehensive email with links and information covering all the points discussed the day before. Well worth the price and you will learn skills that will last you a lifetime."