Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses reviews

17 Mar 20'

Anne Postlethwaite reviewed: Willow Hare Sculpture

"Very enjoyable day on the Willow Hare course. I'd not done any willow work before but actually came out with something recognisable as a Hare! The course was very well taught by Rachel who kept a good balance of chat, demonstration and instruction so that we could all work at our own pace. A very enjoyable day. I'd recommend this course."

10 Mar 20'

Kieth Rubery reviewed: Tool sharpening

"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."

6 Mar 20'

Jeff Halse reviewed: Carving Woodland Beasts

"Jason was very informative & willing to pass on his knowledge. He was very encouraging to everyone pitching his teaching to their ability being supportive to everyone."

6 Mar 20'

Robert Higgo reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Informative, relaxed, friendly, helpful. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot"

6 Mar 20'

Michael Tomlinson reviewed: Carving Woodland Beasts

"Excellent course. Plenty of help and advice given. Good venue and ample tools and instruction in their use. Nice atmosphere as it was a small group. Time passed quickly."

5 Mar 20'

Barbara Young reviewed: Log Bottomed Basket Beginners

"I really enjoyed the day and came home with a lovely basket. There were examples of finished baskets, but we were free to choose the design we wanted - everyone's was different! Help was at hand all day with good demonstrations, but also one to one when needed. The course was held inside and the cafe was open as it was a Saturday."

3 Mar 20'

Jan Brown reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"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."

25 Feb 20'

Beth reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"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."

20 Feb 20'

Christine reviewed: Willow Plant Climbers & Obelisks

"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."

19 Feb 20'

Sam Hobday reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"Fantastic course that I would highly recommend. The venue was wonderful and Rachel the course tutor was absolutely lovely, very knowledgable and happy to guide us through making lots of different products, which we took home at the end of the day. The booklet we received was great too so now I can make the products at home as well. Thoroughly enjoyable and lovely to meet so many nice people on the day, can’t wait to do another course!!"

18 Feb 20'

Anthony David Sinnott reviewed: Woodland hand felling/introduction to firewood

"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."

15 Feb 20'

Jane reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"Amazing course I was kept busy all day. Lots to smell, try and make. Well paced and plenty to do and take home. Rachel treated us all as individuals and tailored the afternoon of the course to our tastes/ desires. Lots of tea, buns and a warm fire too what more can a girl want? Can’t wait for her next course."

15 Feb 20'

Natalie Thomas reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"This was a great hands-on, full day of making. It was well structured, with Rachel guiding us through soap making in the morning, then giving us freedom to have a go at the other bits like salves and bath bombs later in the day. It was a lovely friendly atmosphere and I went away with an incredible collection of bath time goodies!"

14 Feb 20'

Hazel Holloway reviewed: Willow Plant Climbers & Obelisks

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Staff were more than helpful and patient and it was good to start to learn a new craft. It is a practical skill and I have already signed up for a further course."

13 Feb 20'

Helen Hygate reviewed: Woodland beauty- natural cosmetic making from woodland plants and trees

"This was such a fantastic workshop, I had a thoroughly enjoyable day! Rachel was an amazing tutor with so much knowledge, such a lovely person. I learned loads of ways to produce beauty products, the handouts were brilliant, the venue was unique, comfortable and welcoming. I would love to return and do another course, thank you!"

11 Oct 19'

Glen Mills reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Great value for the money spent. Well done to Dave and Kay for squashing a huge amount of very useful information into one day. We were introduced to many sharpening and restoring techniques on a variety of tools. I particularly appreciated the one-to-one teaching and the sociable, chatty atmosphere. I would strongly advise future participants to bring pen and paper for making lots of notes and sketches. There is a lot to take in, which can easily be forgotten. I highly recommend this course."

6 Oct 19'

Glen Mills reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"Dave and team, Kay and Mel, were outstanding teachers. Very supportive and encouraging all the way, from sycamore log in the morning that we slowly morphed into a spoon in the afternoon. As a total rookie I learned an enormous amount about wood, techniques and tools, and enjoyed the informal atmosphere. Highly recommended."

3 Oct 19'

Mark reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"Very enjoyable. Turned a wooden log into a spoon, with the help of Dave and the volunteers. Learnt a lot about wood, woodcraft, hand tools and techniques. The setting was great as was the coffee, biscuits and the conversations with the rest of the group. And, on this occasion, I was glad to be going home with the wooden spoon. Good fun and my thanks to all that were there."

3 Oct 19'

Lewis Howe reviewed: Green Wood Kitchen Utensils at Ecclesall Woods

"Great course. I learnt a wide range of skills which I am keen to take further. Already made my own shave horse and looking at acquiring more tools. Dave and the team are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Covered a wide range of things and already looking forward to booking on the next one. I can't recommend the Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses highly enough and would suggest anybody looking for an introduction to Greenwood skills or to enhance those they already have, to look for a suitable course and get it booked."

29 Jul 19'

Jeff reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"A great day all round with a good group of people and came away with a nice stick too. Would highly recommend. Thankyou."

26 Jul 19'

Heather Croft reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"I have never worked with wood before but really enjoyed the day as Dave was an excellent tutor and the volunteers were very helpful. Came away with my own personal walking stick that I made. I also used power and traditional tools that I’d never touched before and that was a great learning experience in itself. The event location was brilliant and I am wanting to book on some other courses now that I’ve had that introduction. I enjoyed meeting the other course students and had a pleasant day. You can’t get the experience that we received on the day from reading books and watching YouTube."

26 Jul 19'

MAUREEN BROWN reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"I did this course 25th July it was great, I have never done anything like this before . I was a bit daunted when I started and worried I would mess it up. But there was so much help available from the staff . Also it was so hot, but we were constantly reminded to drink plenty. Even if you have never picked up a carving knife, or made a stick give it a go, it is well worth it. You will come away with a stick you can be proud of. I just hope my son will like it too."

26 Jul 19'

Buster Crabb reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"Excellent day. Helpful, informative and friendly tutor and volunteers and some lovely, like-minded fellow students. Overall, relaxing, creative and therapeutic. Many thanks."

10 Jul 19'

Candice reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Such a fun course, and amazing what you can achieve in a day! We'll definitely be back for another course!"

6 Jul 19'

Natalie Tanner reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Such an amazing course, Iain and Dave were fantastic tutor's. I never realised how much hard work goes into forging a blade, I was really happy how my knife turned out, but I do wish we had more time to fine tune a few details. I would recommend this course to everyone interested in bladesmithing. Any future courses they decide to arrange, I will be more than happy to attend again"