Ecclesall Woods Craft Courses reviews

4 Apr 17'

Dave Smith reviewed: Bowl and Kuksa carving in Ecclesall Woods

"Great course, very friendly approachable tutor. Come away with more skills and knowledge. Great weekend"

9 Mar 17'

John reviewed: Leatherwork: Purse and Belt Making

"A very enjoyable and informative day. We used a variety of tools and fixings. The sheaths we made turned out very well and are useful. Ruth, the tutor, was very helpful and interesting."

7 Mar 17'

Dave Smith reviewed: Leatherwork: Purse and Belt Making

"Great course Ruth was a warm and friendly tutor. There was enough material, equipment and plain understandable tuition for us to follow and come away with two complete pieces of work and ideas to do more. I'm already planning what to do next. All of this plus a very pleasant surroundings to hold courses. A really nice days work."

7 Mar 17'

DaveG reviewed: Leatherwork: Purse and Belt Making

"Very enjoyable course in good surroundings. Ruth explained things clearly and at the end of the course I had completed the axe and knife sheaths, and was well on the way to making a 2nd axe sheath. Many thanks."

7 Mar 17'

Martin Rollin reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"This course was booked as a gift from my Wife. Blacksmithing is some thing I have wanted to try for a long time. The course didn't get off to a good start as we started an hour late with no explanation or information as to why, however once we started it was brilliant, Tim and his staff were helpful informative and really showed a passion for their trade. This showed in the demos and ease in which they gave help and advice throughout the day nothing was too much trouble and no question went unanswered. We more than made up for the late start at the end of the day. Thanks once again To Tim and his team for an excellent day I would certainly book on another one of his courses"

19 Feb 17'

Caroline Prosser reviewed: Pyrography one day course

"The day was really enjoyable. Nadine was encouraging and made the learning of the basics interesting and accessible. The setting was great, at Eccleshall Woods. Have been inspired to purchase my own pyrography pen, which is a good indication of how much I enjoyed the workshop! Many thanks to Nadine"

11 Oct 15'

Aaron reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Great course, taught by knowledgeable people in a pleasant, relaxed and informal setting. What more could you ask for? Many different aspects of tool sharpening covered and many different tool types. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about tool sharpening."

27 Jun 15'

Hilary Wrigley reviewed: Willow basket- beginners log bottomed

"A unique opportunity in unique surroundings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt the tutor was excellent, helpful and knowledgeable. I made a great basket - with help!"

17 Jun 15'

Geoff Pratley reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"A really good day despite the rain! Dave and Sam gave excellent instruction and help throughout the day. I learned a lot, a most enjoyable day."

16 Jun 15'

Mandy Sutter reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"I very much enjoyed the day. The centre was beautiful, the tutor and his assistant Dave and Sam were great, and the other course attendees were really friendly and good-humoured. Although it was harder work than I expected, I was delighted to make the spoon and a spatula and hope to return for other courses5."

8 Jun 15'

Annie Stainthorpe reviewed: Basic bushcraft for kids (aged 8+.)

"Annie was energised by the whole experience and her 'weaved' plate and mallet are proudly on display at home. She said that it was the best activity day she'd ever done! The instructor was very knowledgeable and approachable and when I came to collect Annie, she quite happily showed us both how to make string from nettles. Thanks for a great day Ken Stainthorpe (Dad)"

7 Jun 15'

Jim Caine reviewed: Make a rustic four-legged jointed table - a two day course

"had a great two days learnt a lot and as a bonus came away with a really nice table, and able to say "all my own work""

25 May 15'

peter Griffiths.I reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"Great fun pleasant company and excellent tutors"

24 Mar 15'

Eric Pye reviewed: “Against The Grain” Wood sculpture - a one day course with Simon Kent

"It was a shame but just one of those things that we got off to a late start as Simon broke down on the way in. Communication about what was happening at this stage was good. There didn't seem to be much clarity at the end of the day though. We'd been told that the course could run on past 4 p.m. due to the late start but no-one had put arrangements in place to staff the centre past 4 p.m. As it happens we were all tiring by this time and were happy enough to finish but I do feel that it is an important part of "customer care" that didn't work out very well. I enjoyed the course itself and it has sparked me off to do some more carving."

17 Mar 15'

Paul Mattinson reviewed: Bronze Smelting and Casting

"Very enjoyable course, knowledgeable tutors and lots to learn. I enjoyed the inclusive just have a go attitude and will be booking on another course very soon. Thanks to all who make this happen."

17 Mar 15'

Julie Adams reviewed: Bronze Smelting and Casting

"A wonderful day from start to finish. The course leader was extemely knowledgeable and I learned things I wasn't aware of. It was presented in a really interesting way. Course leader was very patient and explained each step in an understandable manner. The timing of the activities, facilities and atmosphere was brilliant. A totally unique experience that I would love to do again. Magical setting too. I have already recommended this day to friends and family and will be keeping an eye out for future events. A day to remember :)"

9 Nov 14'

Louise Hawson reviewed: Longbow Making Course - a three day course

"This was an excellent course, in a fantastic location, with great tuition from Ben and Wes. I started the course assuming I'd struggle with the woodworking and using unfamiliar tools, but the support and guidance from Ben and Wes, as well as sharing highs and lows with the other students, meant I came out with a beautiful longbow, confidence with woodworking tools, and a whole host of new skills. I'm now completely addicted and am already considering how I'm going to get hold of my own tools. One area for improvement - we didn't have enough of some key tools for everyone to make progress at some points, specifically working spoke shaves, glass bottles and knifes/files. Also, the traditional shave horses were too small for working longbows, especially for taller guys. We successfully worked round all this, but worth considering for future courses."

14 Oct 14'

David Stocks reviewed: Introduction to green wood craft - a two day course

"This course was absolutely superb. I cannot think of a single criticism and now have my stool in pride of place in my living room. David who ran the course was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and all the volunteers throughout the weekend were incredibly friendly and pleasant. The venue itself was lovely the perfect setting for doing outdoor woodwork. It would be nice to see additional woodland courses being offered at this centre such as felling and woodland maintenance as well as more types of greenwood working course. It these courses were on offer I would attend in a heart beat. I am already planning to book on another course as soon as time allows. If you are thinking about booking this course stop thinking and start booking."

22 Jun 14'

Robert Cundill reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"Getting to practise some excellent skills using high quality traditional tools was really rewarding. The tutors were very experienced and helpful. To have something to take home at the end of the day made it even better"

17 Jun 14'

ralph negrine reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"an enjoyable day and we get to walk away with a three legged rustic stool.5"

6 Jun 14'

Sarah Fanthorpe-Smith reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Excellent course on Sunday, thank you all for a very enjoyable day. Thank you."

3 Jun 14'

Roger Nowell reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Thanks folks Really enjoyed the course, extremely informative, just the right level for me, great bunch of people running and helping with the course. A lot to take in - would benefit from a few notes on different tools and sharpening from recovering tool to day to day sharpening"

27 May 14'

Dave Clark reviewed: Pole lathe course - Make a Mallet

"Very good course! Lots of hands on work using much more than just a pole lathe -axes, Froes, cleaving breaks, different shave horses, draw knives. Experienced and enthusiastic tutor with three assistants so there was always someone on hand for advice and help even with five students on the course. Good effective and efficient demonstrtions of required techniques leaving lots of time for students to put into practice. A lovely team of people - I will be back to attend more courses at this centre."

23 May 14'

Ruth Morgan reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"I loved the day - it helped that we had lovely warm sunshine, but it was so peaceful sitting whittling in the woods! I learnt a huge amount both about how to handle the tools safely and about the properties of the wood, and we were well looked after both in woodworking and in cups of tea. I'm very proud of the spoon and spatula I made. Hope to do more."

23 May 14'

simon pedley reviewed: Introduction to Greenwood Spoon Carving

"Good introduction to the skills and tools needed - enjoyed the day and came home with a new spoon and spatula."