Lakeland Cabinet Makers reviews

8 May 19'

peter reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Anyone who knows me, knows I am a classic Taurean, a "Bull in a China shop" so attending a fine box making course was to say the least challenging. I thought it beyond my capabilities. However from the very first moment the whole course was a absolute pleasure, a small mixed group of strangers but all with a common goal to improve their skills. Mark is the most welcoming of people, he immediately gave us all the assurance to attempt making a range of boxes that we all thought were impressive and delightful to look at. He was always assisted by Jay who ensured that none of us were left unattended. They provided detailed explanations on many skills that are so simple when you know them but make a massive difference to the look of the finished article. I have no hesitation in recommending the course to anyone, regardless of your skills, you will learn more in these precious hours than you will in a life time browsing the internet."

5 May 19'

Tim Swales reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is a brilliant course. Run by very talented and knowledgable people. Lots of information given about tools and machinery and the wood that is used. The workshop is amazing and has such atmosphere it encourages you to make beautiful things. The passion for the subject oozes from the environment you are working in. Highly recommended. Anyone from novice to the more experienced will gain great skills and knowledge."

11 Mar 19'

Laura Cave reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Thoroughly enjoyed the 2day box making course with Mark and Jay. They were very patient and laid back, always happy to answer any questions. I was astonished how well my box turned out and now have the confidence to do more. Thanks guys!"

7 Mar 19'

Paul & Sheila Wright reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a great way to spend the weekend. Mark and Richard were excellent instructors. After initial instructions we were encouraged to do everything for ourselves. They were always on hand if we got into difficulties. Their knowledge and skills are unbelievable and their levels of patience endless. Their workshop is well stocked with plenty of different high quality work working tools, that we were guided into using in order to make our boxes. Our boxes are for our twin grandchildren and the knowledge that dad-cu and mam-gu made them make us very proud grandparents. Thanks guys, you are an awesome duo."

4 Mar 19'

Tony reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Great course. Mark and Jay looked after us well. The 2 student to one tutor ration meant that you could always get help. Looking at the example boxes at the beginning was quite daunting but the careful step by step guidance made the process stress free and enjoyable. The course fee may initially seem a bit expensive but it's more than worth it for the training, experience, access to all the machinery, materials etc and the end result of a beautiful box."

1 Mar 19'

Maureen Brown reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a great weekend , Mark and Richard were very good teachers very patient explaining everything clearly as we went along. I liked the fact that Mark and Richard showed us what to do and then left us to do it but still there if we needed them. The end result was a great box that my friends did not believe that I had really made and were very impressed. Thank you very much Mark and Richard ."

24 Feb 19'

John Chappell reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Lovely way to spend a weekend, mark and richard are very knowledgable cabinet makers but are also down to earth when teaching part of their skills to everyday people like me ? Well worth booking this course."

21 Jan 19'

Tracy Playle reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I’ve known Mark for a few years now as I’ve been on other courses that he runs (all of which I HIGHLY recommend). But this course was outstanding. I had such a wonderful weekend. Mark is so skilled and brilliant at explaining things and not making you feel stupid when/if you make a mistake. You get to add some of your own personal touches and ideas too. The box I’ve come away with is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made and I already have friends and family wanting me to make one for them now too! I need to send them on the course. Thanks so much Mark! Will be seeing you again soon."

21 Jan 19'

chris reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Enjoyable weekend , good company ,interesting oppurtunity to learn new skills in a relaxed atmosphere , Thanks to Mark , i went home with a good loking box."

17 Dec 18'

Mary reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Wonderful two day course with Mark and Richard. They were happy to share their experience, patiently explained the methods and created an enjoyable friendly atmosphere. At no point did you feel rushed and care was taken in ensuring each person got as much as they could from the experience. I am very proud of the box I created, it exceeded expectations and then some! Each course member created something unique and to a really high standard. Thoroughly recommended and I hope to return in the future"

10 Dec 18'

David Heppell reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"A box making course! What do you have at the end? A box of course. But I wouldn't have expected to make a beautiful oak box (with dovetail joints) and with an elm lid (with lovely graining) supported on hidden pin hinges. Mark and Richard were excellent as they supported and guided each of us in making a box of our choice. Maybe this should be called an introduction to cabinet making for absolute beginners. Excellent!"

9 Dec 18'

Deb Mills reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I wanted to make something special for my late husband’s ashes. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for me doing this and to be honest my head was like treacle but with a lot of help and encouragement from Mark & Richard I’ve made the most beautiful box and I think he’d be proud of me. It was a lovely weekend and they give me a lot of support, the other 3 people doing the course were great too! I’d really recommend anyone to have a go, if I can do it anybody can. I wish I could post a picture of my fabulous box!"

7 Nov 18'

Neville Sanderson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I'm 73 and the last time I did woodwork was at the Grammar School in the 1950/60's so to say I was a bit nervous was an understatement. I thought there's no way I could make a box remotely the same as the ones on show in the workshop..... but how wrong I was !!!!! I made a very professional box of which I am so proud. The mitred corners were 95% perfect and the fitted lid with its hidden hinges looked very impressive. Our tutor Mark was the reason I did so well. He was good at explaining each step and showed us how to safely use all the various tools and machinery. I have booked another weekend course for next year.To anyone who is interested I would say "Have a go like I did". You will enjoy it. Thank you Mark for all your help and guidance."

1 Nov 18'

Paul reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark is a fantastic tutor and his workshop is great! He was happy to answer any questions that I had (about the making of the box and general questions about woodworking) and struck a good balance between showing me what to do and letting me work on my own. I'm very happy with and proud of the box that I've made, especially as I have never done anything like this before. The sides of the box are dovetailed together and the lid is attached using brass pins, but there was the option to do mitred joints and the option to use brass hinges too. After Mark's course I really want to acquire some tools and try and make some more boxes like the one I've already done. Very enjoyable weekend on the whole!"

30 Oct 18'

Paul reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark is a fantastic tutor. He is very patient and guides you really well. The time flies by (even though the clocks went back this weekend). I have just done the box making weekend and I cannot believe that a novice woodworker walked out with such a lovely box! It was relaxed and enjoyable. I have learnt such a lot and will be back for sure for more teaching."

7 Oct 18'

Andy reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I wasn't sure what to expect after my wife bought this course for me as a gift. On arrival on Saturday morning, Mark asked us to pick the type of box we wanted to make and I thought "there's no way I'm going to make any one of these". I was wrong! Two days later I had a wooden box I was really proud of. Mark's style of delivery, the pace of the course and the workshop all come together in what is a great weekend. I've left with a new sense of belief that I can make stuff, some new skills and a bunch of ideas for spending long hours in the man-shed. I hope to be back for some other courses. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course to anyone with an interest in learning some new skills and actually creating something tangible."

22 Sep 18'

David Bradley reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Just completed the weekend box making course with Mark and it was everything I wanted it to be. As you would expect, the workshop was very well equipped and Mark’s instructions and guidance on the safe and correct use of each tool or piece of equipment was spot on. I picked up lots of useful tips and tricks over the course of the weekend and I had a lovely dovetailed oak box with walnut lid to show for my efforts. A really enjoyable weekend in lovely surrounding spend with a great bunch of fellow students and a very passionate and knowledgeable craftsman. I’m off to start saving for a Wood Rat !"

18 Sep 18'

Jane reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I came on the course hoping to get some experience with woodworking machinery. I left with lots of ideas and a beautiful box I made myself. The atmosphere was relaxing from the cameraderie of my fellow students to the patience of the instructor; a thoroughly fulfilling way to pass a weekend."

20 Aug 18'

Colin Dulson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Excellent course. Fun and relaxed with a small group where each person got all the attention they required. Mark was great at teaching you and letting you do the work which meant that you really feel you'd accomplished something at the end of the weekend."

19 Aug 18'

Nick reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Having just completed the 2 day weekend box making course with Mark I can say it is thoroughly great fun. Mark is friendly and a wealth of knowledge and has a wonderful way of explaining everything so you can understand. His passion shines through and is infectious and I will be continuing wood work as a hobby. The product from this course turned out amazing, mark having coaxed unknown talent out of me. Thank you so much."

16 Jul 18'

Alan Haughan reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What can I say. The other reviewers are spot on. Great weekend box making. Relaxed style from Mark puts you instantly at ease. Very clear yet detailed advise and supervision. You will come away with a box you have made which you will be proud of, and will have learned lots as well, whether a beginner or not. Go - you will be glad you did!"

2 Jul 18'

Nick Booth reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"It is difficult to believe that someone who has always been clumsy and imprecise with wood can be taught to make a beautiful hardwood box (in oak) that looks and feels fabulous. Mark enabled me to do that in two days on a fantastic box-making course which was well run, allowed us to work independently, learn how to use hand tools and machine tools, and feel more confident doing previously impossible projects at home. A great course in a great location, highly recommended."

28 Jun 18'

John Kirby reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I arrived with some trepidation - I did a little woodwork in school in the '70s but since then only Ikea. But I was very quickly put at my ease and started to enjoy myself hugely. I learned a lot and am now ridiculously proud of the wooden box I made during the course - I have shown it to everyone! Thank you Mark."

24 Jun 18'

Lesley reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark has the patience of a saint. This course was an unexpected Christmas present for me and accordingly surprising. I never thought I could make an interesting box but I have. Mark has an enormous attention to detail and could convey this without being intimidating. A great way to spend a weekend and I am impressed with my insight into what it takes to make a good wooden box. Thanks very much"

17 May 18'

Andy reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I'm sat looking at the results of the May box making course attended last weekend and still can't really believe just how good it looks. My last wood working efforts of any kind (other than flat-pack furniture assembly or patching up a skirting board) was around 54 years ago as a 12 year old. That experience was traumatic and resulted in a wobbly teapot stand that only a mother could love; this one was cathartic and resulted in a fine looking box. I've just re-read through all of the previous reviews for this course, in the hope that I could think of something that hasn't already been said. I can't though! You might be forgiven for thinking that there must be a degree of exaggeration in many of them, but I can confirm that I found that all were accurate. Mark was a patient and helpful guide to technique, tools and scary machinery through every stage of the process. He demonstrated what needed to be done and watched over your initial efforts with advice as necessary, but never doing the job for you. This was a well-organised and very enjoyable course that I would give 6 stars to if it were possible. Recommended to all - thanks Mark!"