Peter Lanyon Furniture reviews

2 Feb 17'

Georgie Oldroyde reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I arrived in some trepidation, not really believing I had it in me to sufficiently master the tools and techniques required to come away with something of which I could be proud.....but I was proved totally wrong and it is a tribute to Peter's teaching skills and the careful structure of the course that the outcome for all attending was such a great success. Both Peter and his trusty assistant, Jav (sp?) exercised great patience and good humour, balancing helpful interventions whilst encouraging autonomy - their graceful use of the different tools that shaped our work was such a contrast to my own clumsy attempts, but they never cast a value judgement upon that, which was what helped to make the course such an enriching experience in so many ways. My husband and I returned home with a stool and small table respectively and even our teenagers let slip some admiration for our efforts."

31 Jan 17'

Nick White reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"This course was a birthday present from my family. This is my excuse for not looking at course information in any detail before the weekend and why I had little idea of what to expect. I therefore went with the flow, perhaps taking on a more ambitious project than I might otherwise have done - to be fair Peter gave me some early hints that I would have my work cut out. However Peter breaks down the process into clear steps, demonstrating one technique at a time...just as you feel you have mastered one, he moves you on to the next....and the next...a real organic experience! There is plenty of supervision and reassurance, interspersed by drinks, biscuits and mid afternoon cake to boost flagging limbs. It is hard and challenging but the reward of almost professional items of furniture is massive....everyone walked away proud if not a little smug. My wife's reaction was WOW! Then again she did very well - sent me away for 2 days to make her a bench ...and it was my present!"

21 Nov 16'

Phil Millichap reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Went to build skills not a stool or low table and was not disappointed. Wood is lovely tactile material to work with given the right tools and skills. The course provides excellent opportunity to learn some of those skills and understand and use many of the tools, while many require a "knack" Peter and J provided right input at the right time! The course is hopefully a beginning, at least have ordered some of the tools!! Highly recommended."

21 Nov 16'

Colleen reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"What a great way to spend a weekend. Really marvelous to see something created from a block of wood into a functioning piece of furniture. Peter and J showed huge patience and willingness to help when questions were asked and I couldn't have asked for better or more friendly instruction. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course to anyone. Top marks!"

20 Nov 16'

Tom Mansell reviewed: Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

"Fantastic couple of days and I am happily typing this while sitting on my new greenwood stool. Peter is a great teacher - a good soul and one of the natural artists we need more of. A wonderful way to spend a weekend and I am planning my next course already."

14 Nov 16'

Chas Billing reviewed: Tool sharpening and maintenance

"Excellent day! 5 people attended, very relaxed but lots of useful information imparted and Peter had time to answer the specific questions of everyone on the course. We covered all kinds of blades, with a quick demo on sharpening cabinet scrapers as a bonus; so not just for green woodworkers. I managed to renovate several of my old poorly sharpened chisels and a spokeshave. It was interesting to meet the others on the course and their enthusiasm for woodworking was inspiring."

14 Nov 16'

Naomi Patkai reviewed: Green Woodworking - Make a Shave Horse

"The first course I did, where I made a small greenwood table,inspired me to return and make a shave horse so that hopefully I can continue with what I've learned. The course did not disappoint. I came away with a fully functioning shave horse thank to Peters expertise, preparation beforehand and excellent teaching. A thoroughly enjoyable day."

14 Nov 16'

Naomi Patkai reviewed: Tool sharpening and maintenance

"A very worthwhile course particularly as I'm a complete novice with no idea about tool sharpening. Peter is extremely patient and knowledgable and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a small group attending. I felt slightly overwhelmed to begin with but came away feeling I could achieve a sharp tool buy the end of the day. Worth taking your own tools, I had very few to take but still a valuable experience."

13 Nov 16'

Spaul reviewed: Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

"The course Peter gives is great - it gives you an overall understanding of how to make your own green timber chair yourself when you go home and a good understanding of how to use the tools to do it and I'm looking forward to coming back one day to do another one .."

9 Nov 16'

Lou reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I really enjoyed this course. It was action-packed and full-on. The equipment was well maintained and plentiful and the tuition excellent. I came away with a gorgeous little table of which I am very proud. I would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in green woodworking and wants to spend a few days learning new skills, with a knowledgable teacher in a relaxed environment. Thank you, Peter"

8 Nov 16'

Jason reviewed: Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

"I have to thank peter and joe and my fellow chair makers for a great week. It is a great boost to the soul to produce something by hand. peter teachers you every skill needed to turn a freshly felled tree into a piece of furniture you can take home and cherish."

3 Oct 16'

Mark reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"This course was absolutely fantastic. I learnt heaps over the two days and left with a beautiful side table/stool. The teaching was excellent with the right amount of direction and guidance and a really friendly atmosphere. I'll certainly be keeping my eyes on Peter's other courses in the future. Thanks for such a brilliant course."

1 Oct 16'

Richard Curzon reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"An excellent course - fully meeting my expectations: everything you need to know from taking a freshly felled piece of timber, wood selection, tool use, processing, shaping, fitting and finishing it into a respectable piece of green wood furniture. Patient, friendly instruction. Highly recommended."

23 Aug 16'

Paul Collings reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"What a brilliant course, any one with the slightest interest in wood would love this! and the great thing is that you get to take something home that you have hand made from a branch and slab of wood. Peter was a great instructor, had everyone feeling relaxed from the off with his laid back attitude but kept us working to an invisible time table. Jarv, Peters assistant was always available with answers and help when anyone needed it. All eight of us finished our stools or tables and I'm sure went home inspired to do more. I would have no hesitation in recommending this course to anyone whatever your ability."

22 Aug 16'

James Hill reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"A superb course - Peter is an excellent tutor, and led a group of varying abilities to complete some remarkable pieces of furniture. I did not expect to enjoy myself so much and found the process of shaping green wood very satisfying. I would recommend this to anyone and will certainly do more of his courses."

22 Aug 16'

Jan Dawe reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I have just returned from Peter's 2 day green woodworking course and the proof of the pudding is that I want to return and have another go. Day 1 is relaxing amid good company, lovely surroundings: an excellent way to unwind using edge tools to shape our chosen wood. Day 2 is more technically challenging with an array of tools to encounter. Peter and Jav were excellent teachers, stopping short of doing things for us but encouraging and promoting confidence. By the end of day 2 everyone had a finished item which was amazing. The camaraderie in the workshop will be memorable with everyone prepared to stop and help. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates learning hands-on and no previous experience seemed necessary."

22 Aug 16'

Naomi Patkai reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I have just returned from a wonderful weekend on one of Peter's "Green Woodworking Courses". I went with low expectations of my abilities to produce anything that would look good and everything far exceeded my expectations. Peter and Jarv were brilliant tutors with great humour, patience and encouragement. Both are friendly and taught us so much in such a short time. The two days flew by, but in a really relaxed environment where we were all able to work at our own level and ask for as much or as little help as we needed. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I hope very much to return to a further course in the future."

21 Aug 16'

Chris Harper reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Such a great way to spend a weekend. I have done quite a few different types of woodwork over the past 15 years but have always been self taught and not tried green woodwork before. I found this to be such a satisfying way of working with wood and Peter is a great teacher. There is a lot to get done in the 2 days and it is quite a physical course because it is almost all done with hand tools. I am quite particular in relation to attention to detail so my recommendation would be to just go with the flow and don't worry about triple checking measurements etc or you will struggle to get everything done. And because of the organic nature of green woodwork the end result is always going to be unique and wavy anyway. I will definitely be booking on another course with Peter in the future."

26 Jul 16'

Joanna reviewed: Green Woodworking - Make a Shave Horse

"This was my second course with Peter at the Devon Green Wood Centre. Having done the Stool Making weekend previously I had caught the green woodworking bug & was pleased to be able to construct a shave horse to (hopefully) do more projects at home. As before the course was well prepared, Peter's demonstrations were clear & easy to follow, the location (wonderful) & facilities were excellent and the group size just right. I can't recommend this highly enough & look forward to doing another course there in the future."

21 Jul 16'

Sarah F reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I booked my husband on this course as a gift, and it was great. The workshop is in a beautiful part of the world, and he came away with new skills and a beautiful wooden stool. Highly recommended!"

5 Jul 16'

John White reviewed: Tool sharpening and maintenance

"A really interesting day. A small number of students and a relaxed atmosphere made the whole experience perfect. I only managed to sharpen 3 of my tools during the day, but the skills and knowledge I gained mean that I should be able to tackle all of my other tools. The tips on sharpening curved blades were particularly useful. I came away feeling confident I could put a good edge on things. Now I must practice!"

22 Jun 16'

John Nicholls reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"A wonderful course, Peter and his lovely assistant are a great double act and very engaging :) The course is busy - there is a lot of ground to cover in the 2 days - but the time flies by as you are so absorbed in the wood. A thoroughly enjoyable, informative and productive course - we all came away with a totally unique piece that we had crafted ourselves from a log. Massively satisfying and thoroughly recommended. Top tip - bring sunscreen !"

21 Jun 16'

Anna Rayner reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"This course wildly exceeded my expectations (which were high anyway). It ticks all the boxes - fantastic location and atmosphere, lovely people, excellent tuition from Peter. I came away with some lovely memories but also a piece of furniture that I am really proud of and will always treasure. Anyone who is pondering whether this is the course for them - book it now! You won't regret it."

20 Jun 16'

David Fenton-Jones reviewed: Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

"An amazing course - what more needs saying? Peter is fantastic and encourages you all the way and the chair I have taken home will be treasured for the rest of my life and doubtless passed on through the family - A true heir loom - May-be I should make some more!! Thank you Peter you have enabled me to achieve a dream....."

20 Jun 16'

David Fenton-Jones reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"A fantastic introduction to the world of green woodworking. Peter is friendly, approachable and keen to pass on his experience to others. No question is too 'silly' and NO previous experience is required. You will be able to turn a 'log' into a family treasure in just one weekend, going home with a creation to be proud of. The atmosphere is all very relaxed and welcoming and I have no hesitation in recommending this course to anyone. :)"