Reviews for Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses

I rarely write reviews, but this course was really great (attended in Feb 2020). The combination of spending a day in the woods bringing some trees back under coppice management, plus creating a stool from the wood that would be produced, gave a real breadth to the topic. Dave and the volunteers were all really supportive and lovely. I was an absolute beginner and feared some sexism, but there was none of that. They just patiently explained how to use a saw etc as though it's entirely normal to have never handled any tools. I really recommend this.

I arrived 10 minutes late but was immediately greeted with a smile and offer of tea or coffee. I found the course very enjoyable and informative. Dave and the team we’re very friendly and as you would expect knowledgeable about tools, sharpening and how to use them. Dave and his team explained all the various ways to sharpen tools and the equipment needed. Most of the other people like me on the course had watched various ways to sharpen tools on YouTube, but felt we needed to be shown one way, and the right way. Dave’s method which he’s used for years was shown and it appeared we all felt comfortable with his method. I would recommend this course to anyone who would not only like to learn how to sharpen their tools, but also maintain them to a high standard of sharpness. Excellent course, excellent venue, very friendly. I will be going again.

A fantastic day - well it did start with cakes! We made a range of soaps, some from scratch then were able to create a variety of products of our individual choice (my son loves the blues busting beard wax and the energising beard oil, I’m finding the joint cream very good). Rachel is a great instructor, she gave us lots of information and recipes, guided us when we needed it and let us get on when we felt confident to do so. By the end of the day we all had a huge range of products and felt we’d learned a lot, I’m definitely going to start making my own herb infused oils and trying more of Rachel’s recipes.

What a great day! Brilliant well structured, hands on course. The morning was soap making, starting easy and building up to making soap that feels like you're doing a science experiment. The afternoon involved a variety of products tailored to each of us and what we fancied making. Rachel was a great tutor with lots of knowledge about the materials that we were using and the products we made. We didn't only go away with lots of goodies but also got plenty of very useful hand outs so we can carry on making at home. The location is great, welcoming and warm.

Rachel gave us lots of useful information about willow in general, as well as teaching us how to make different structures. Although it was the weekend of Storm Ciara, the course went ahead inside the beautiful Hector’s House, complete with cosy wood burning stove, and we planted and learnt how to weave a decorative willow tree in large pots, as well as making woven plant supports.

Rachel taught us different weaves and techniques, and she and her assistant gave us plenty of help. We found a gap in the rain to go out and learn about planting a hedge. As well as having a very enjoyable day out with like-minded people, I felt I had learnt enough to have the skills and confidence to follow up with my own projects at home.

The course was very much a practical hands on introduction to hand felling small trees in a lovely deciduous woodland. The day started with an overview of the tools we would use, preceded by valuable health and safety advice. The four course participants were soon at work in the woods learning the practical application of techniques for felling small trees using bow saw and axe, not forgetting 'snedding' with billhook. The day included welcome beverages, packed lunch or food from the excellent kiosk.

The tutors were obviously very able at their crafts and shared their knowledge with good humour and enthusiasm. I was particularly grateful for the time we spent on learning sharpening techniques for the tools we were using, having missed the specific course Dave runs on this subject.
I would definitely recommend the course as an introduction to the subject and it would likely repay annual attendance for brushing up of woodland skills.
I look forward to attending future courses.