Dry Stone Walling Association Lancashire Branch reviews

23 Apr 18'

Nick Clarkson reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"An absolutely fantastic course run by people who really know their subject and are eager to show others. Their passion for dry stone walling is infectious and over the two days we were introduced to the basics of building a dry stone wall, I'd like to add this is a real working wall, one that will help a farmer and be standing for a couple of centuries not one that is torn down again for the next group. There is a little "classroom" work lasting around half an hour each day and the rest is pure practical experience with friendly, concise expert guidance, which is the best way to learn anything. It's all done in a laid back friendly fashion - you work at your own pace and at the end of the two days you will be amazed at what you have achieved. I felt really proud of what the whole group achieved and it's made me want to learn more. I waited a few years before finally getting the resolve to do the course and if you're reading this I'd say don't think too much about it just get out there and do it."

23 Apr 18'

Danny B reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Really enjoyed the course and was very pleased with the quality of training and support given by the instructors. I'd recommend it to anyone thinking of taking part - you will not regret it. It's a great way to spend a couple of days and you get to create something that will form part of the landscape for the next couple of hundred years."

23 Apr 18'

gerard kenyon reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"A fantastic introduction to dry stone walling. Very much hands on with sufficient teaching and guidance to enable the group to dismantle and completely rebuild a section of an old disintegrated dry stone wall. The instructors were excellent. They provide the right balance of allowing you to put theory into practice, whilst working alongside the team to provide practical advice and tips; sharing their obvious mastery of the craft. The feeling we all had at the completion of the weekend was a real high. Seeing a section of wall that we had completed together, that looked solid and would last the test of time, was amazing. Never thought we could do such a good job when we arrived. Our section blended in so well with the sections rebuilt earlier that we all stood back in pride."

23 Apr 18'

Nigel Feerick reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"The course was a birthday gift from my kids and i have have to say a great present. The course is run over two days and is well structured. The instructors are excellent and extremely knowledgable, and as well as giving you the benefit of their expertise they make the course good fun. You get the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the art of drystone walling and I guarantee you will be pleased with the results of your work over the two days."

23 Apr 18'

Peter S reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I don't usually review things but in this case I'm making an exception. I joined the course because I volunteer for the National Trust in South Cumbria and have helped repair gaps in walls a couple of times. This course is very well organised with clear guidance and plenty of encouragement from friendly, knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Apart from the brief but important "classroom" sessions the two days were spent dismantling a dilapidated section of wall and rebuilding it, working as a team to produce the finished product - a very satisfying experience."

12 Nov 17'

Jeff Kiveal reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I undertook the 2 day beginners course with the Lancashire Branch and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The tutors were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and made everyone feel welcome and relaxed. It felt amazing to have contributed towards the building of a drystone wall which will now be standing for far longer than I will. I still have a quick look at it whenever I walk by and still feel that tingle of pride."

9 Nov 17'

Andre Akida reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"This 2 day initial training I had with Lancashire branch was very well organised & run. The trainers were professional & friendly, they made me feel comfortable & confident with building a section of dry stone wall. I would recommend this training to any person who is interested in walling. It was great to work as a team & also to work in your own space to practise, ask & learn new techniques from others. All the participants were so helpful & friendly & nice to each other. A great 2 days in the fresh air & countryside."

9 Nov 17'

Yvonne Fleming reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I only have one regret and that is I didn't enrol on this course years ago! I had an appreciation of the heritage and uniqueness of dry stone walls before but until I went on the course I hadn't appreciated that they were a work of art and if you are very lucky you have a chance of creating something beautiful. The two days were well organised and a pleasure to participate in, everyone was friendly and the organisers knew their stuff. Everywhere I look I see walls in need of repair, it is vital that we carry on and it is through organisations such as this that it can be made possible. Keep up the good work !"

9 Nov 17'

Robert Lee reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I only went along to keep my wife company but to my surprise, found that I had a really good time and felt that I was learning a really valuable skill. Having originally thought it wouldn't be for me, I now find that I'm a convert"

9 Nov 17'

Valerie Lee reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I attended the course in August and was very impressed with all the instructors and the volunteers who were helping out. In addition to being informative, it was great fun and I was very pleased with my efforts. I really want to carry on with this activity and will be going along to the practice meets whenever I can"

31 Oct 17'

Nigel Baker reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Good tutors, very informative and at the right pace. Pleasantly surprised how much was completed in such a short time period and battling against Storm Brian!"

30 Oct 17'

David Bloomfield reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Really enjoyed the course. It was fun and informative. I learned a new skill and may well look to practice and improve on that in the future by joining a local group."

30 Oct 17'

Dr Will Weston reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Excellent enthusiastic teaching. Good staff to student ratio. Great balance of theory and practical teaching by people passionate about their craft. I could not recommend highly enough. I am now looking forward to carrying out some simple repairs on the walls of the small holding of some friends."

1 Sep 17'

Clare Gibson reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Dry stone walling has always played a part in our English Countryside heritage, and like many people I'm sure, has been an unspoken ambition of mine to learn the skill of. So one day, just thought carpe diem, and subsequently spend 2 fantastic days, helping build a Dairy Farmer's wall, in idyllic settings. Hard work but great fun, made so by the expert and enthusiastic trainers, who thankfully all had a strong sense of humour. Felt at ease playing the apprentice in a highly professional training environment. Great fellow learners, performing serious manual work, not used to, but rewarding in helping maintain the longevity of a wonderful craft, with modern day farming relevancy. Try it!"

28 Aug 17'

Darren Jones reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Having received the beginners weekend course as a Christmas present I was not entirely sure what to expect. Would I enjoy 2 days of hard graft? Would it be fun or a chore? Well I found it addictive! There is something very satisfying about creating a lasting (hopefully!) structure. A great antidote to modern computerised world. The tutors are very friendly and offer very helpful tips and guidance. There was a great team atmosphere and I gained the confidence to tackle basic wall repairs and construction. A really enjoyable couple of days in a beautiful setting. Highly recommended!"

20 Aug 17'

Jac Tavener reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Have photographed and admired dry stone walls all my life and appreciated them as a part of our heritage/landscape, however had no idea how they were built. So googled away until I found the DSWA and decided to attend a weekend course. It was fantastic, really lovely instructors, ditto the other attendees. We got stuck in and got to see our wall grow, satisfying, physical and fun. All good."

27 Jun 17'

Neil Tomlinson reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I had always fancied a go, just to learn the basics, but - of course - never got round to it. This was solved by my wife who bought me the course as a 60th birthday present. A very interesting and informative weekend was spent among like minded and friendly co-students - led by enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining tutors. Hard work though - but good fun. I can recommend the course to all."

26 Jun 17'

Andy C reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"What a great two days, spent learning a new and valuable skill. The tutors were excellent and allowed everyone to work at their own pace. By the end of the weekend we had built a beautiful dry stone wall that should hopefully last for many, many years. I would thoroughly recommend this course to any one wanting to give dry stone walling a try or to brush up on some existing skills. I will be back!"

12 Jan 17'

Barry Preston reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Signing on this two day course was a result of pure curiosity, as to what goes into building the miles of dry stone walls that lace the landscape. The course indeed satisfied my curiosity to some tune, thanks to the great atmosphere that the guys running the course create and the relaxed way they pass on their skills. It was a really positive and enthusiastic experience that you couldn't fail to enjoy learning in. You couldn't move for phones being drawn to capture our own sections of the completed wall at the end of the day on a photo. What a great sense of achievement! As you have probably gathered I would strongly recommend this course to anyone. And though I have satisfied the curiosity, I have kept on walling."

9 Jan 17'

ed crosland reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Firstly i would like to say what a friendly group of people the members are. I had a great weekend learning the basics of dry stone walling with plenty of informal tuition as well as some gathering around a flipchart with Chris who is excellent. I teamed up with another student (Frank) and over two days we built a section of wall that should last a few years! First class experience and after joining I am looking forwards to some days in the fresh air re-building stone walls for everybody's enjoyment of our landscape heritage."

30 Jul 15'

Ali Leather reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Brilliant course + experience in general. Really welcoming, inspiring people. I'm definitely going to carry on walling, but would very much advise future course members to take warm layers + waterproofs... Anyone who showed up in jeans really suffered in the driving rain + wind of the sunday, but I was v.impressed that no-one chickened out 'cause of the weather. Such a satisfying craft. Thanks!"

18 Jul 15'

Jackie Taylor reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"My great grandfather was a dry stone waller so I wanted to try and learn the skill and make a contribution to my local loved Pennine lanscape. I completed the course in August 2014. I thoroughly enjoyed the course it was just what I was hoping for; although my muscles would tell you a different story! Some endurance and stamina is required. The teaching was undertaken by Chris who is knowledgeable, skilled and experienced. The learning included the building and construction of the wall, a review of health and safety issues and the tools needed for the job in hand. The best part is the practice element, just getting going and having a go with like minded people. Building a wall can be frustrating but once you have found that perfect stone its so satisfying. Contributing to a structure that could last hundreds of years, is fantastic. The opportunity is there for you, just give it a go.."

6 Jul 15'

Peter Taft reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"A well constructed course (in every sense of the word). Clear, concise instruction prior to us constructing each section of the wall. Then lots of practical advice and encouragement during the building process. At the end of the course it was so satisfying to step back and admire our own work. A brilliant 2 days (despite the weather on Sunday morning). I would recommend it to anyone"

30 Jan 15'

Zoe Edgar reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"An informative and practical based course that was well organised and run over the two days. Excellent fun with plenty of opportunity to practice new techniques and reflect on your achievements with enthusiastic and good humoured instructors. Excellent value for money and thoroughly recommended."

29 Jan 15'

Neil Beevor reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"After having wanting to learn the craft of drystone walling for many years I finally found time and enrolled on a course. From the initial booking to the completion of the course everything was first class, so much so I ended up joining the DSWA and have carried on practice with my local branch. The organisation of the course was carefully structured so that you understood the basic principles as you had hands on practice in constructing a wall which remains in place with a purpose. The small group numbers to instructors ensured you were well supervised but allowed to get on with the works. Would certainly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in this traditional skill. My advice is don't think about it just do it and book a course."