Rustic Carpentry reviews

15 Nov 19'

Austin Gibbons reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"Great day with Ian making a rustic bench. All things well explained and directed with lots of encouragement. I'd recommend this for anyone starting as a novice as I was."

11 Nov 19'

Gareth Jones reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is an excellent teacher, his easy manner and knowledge of his craft makes this an enjoyable and rewarding day. Ian is very welcoming and guides you expertly through the process of making a rustic stool, so that at the end of the day you leave fulfilled and with a lovely piece of furniture. I heartily recommend this course. Thank you Ian. Gareth Jones"

10 Nov 19'

Sam Henson reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is a very personable, friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable teacher. He provides depth and history behind the skill and teaches some of the basic and more in depth skills to create your own home's furniture. I couldn't recommend this course enough whether you're a beginner or have reasonable experience working with tools, you're sure to learn something! Sam"

5 Nov 19'

Ben Dawson reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"What a great experience! The course exceeded my expectations and was a great blend of learning a new skill, which fused physical activity and mindfulness. Ian is a fantastic teacher and a great and very interesting bloke to spend the day with. I can't recommend this course highly enough and I'm very proud of my stool!!!"

3 Nov 19'

Clare reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"This was a surprise trip for me, no idea what I was getting myself in to. But Ian was a fabulous teacher. His knowledge and patience is fabulous even when I was being very heavy handed. This sort of wood work is far more delicate than I could have imagined. The day made all the better by finding a kindred spirit in climbing, sharing stories of bear encounters in Yosemite and life without responsibilities. Fabulous day, can’t wait to go back and do another course."

31 Oct 19'

Mohammed Alam reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"What a great day! As a fine furniture student, it was wonderful to spend the whole day producing a rustic stool. Ian, a fabulous teacher, goes through the whole process using only traditional tools and techniques. It is a great introduction to green woodworking. I have definitely got the bug. I can't wait to try making a shaving horse on the next course."

28 Oct 19'

Daniel Morriss reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Brilliant day! I got this for my girlfriend for Christmas last year and it far exceeded our expectations. Ian was very accommodating when I contacted him to arrange the course with quick and informative responses. Ian was mega friendly and put us at ease as soon as we arrived, he is very genuine and likeable. He is incredibly knowledge and was always excited to answer any questions we had, we came away with a solid foundation on green carpentry as well as some beautiful stools that will last us a lifetime. Super chilled atmosphere throughout the day and I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a fun day working with your hands."

24 Oct 19'

Claire Crowley reviewed: Make your own green woodworking 'Shave Horse' from Oak & Ash

"A brilliant day learning skills with different heritage tools to make a shave horse. Ian is a great teacher; patient, very skilled and knowledgeable and encouraging. This course was just what we needed after a very busy term and we felt thoroughly engaged and ended up with a shave horse that we can use in our Forest School. We will be back to learn from Ian again ! Many thanks."

13 Oct 19'

Kamal Bhana reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I bought this rustic stool making experience as a gift for my husband's birthday. We absolutely loved it and had such a wonderful day. We learned a lot about carpentry, wood and different techniques. The best part is that we got to take away a pair of beautiful, handmade stools which are now stunning bedside tables in our guest room. The whole day was thoroughly enjoyable with Ian and his partner, Sabina. Ian is a fantastic teacher. He explained everything we needed to do really clearly and was helpful and attentive throughout. We would highly recommend this course! We can't say enough great things about it! We loved every minute."

10 Oct 19'

Dean & Sian reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"We did this course for our 5th year anniversary (wood being the theme), and it was brilliant! Ian was very welcoming, he was encouraging and very passionate about what he does, which was great to be a part of. We learnt traditional woodworking techniques and had the pleasure of using traditional tools throughout the day, which really made you connect with the wood and what you were creating. Using the traditional techniques made it harder work, but so much more rewarding. We left the day feeling really proud of the bench we had made, also aching, but more importantly smiling from ear to ear over what we had achieved. We have great memories of the day every time we sit on our new oak bench and would recommend this to anyone who wants a good day out!"

5 Oct 19'

Alex reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I would highly recommend Ian's oak stool making course - I took my Dad for his birthday and we all had a great time. Ian was very friendly and helpful and we all learnt new skills! It was very satisfying to bring an oak stool home. Thanks very much Ian!"

3 Oct 19'

Ranak reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian's workshop was amazing, we took my father for his birthday and we were blown away by how much fun we had. Ian was very patient when showing us the different ways to create the stool and the day was paced really well. The stools we made were amazing quality and it was a really enjoyable experience! It was also really interesting learning more about woodworking and the different techniques involved, I would highly recommend this course! Thanks for an amazing day, we really enjoyed it!"

1 Oct 19'

Julie Helliwell reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"I purchased my husband a course for two from Ian. I must admit I was nervous about joining him but we had the most wonderful day. Ian is a patient and calm tutor of his beloved craft. The bench is absolutely lovely and is admired by everyone who sees it. I can recommend this course 100%."

1 Sep 19'

christina chin reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We had a fantastic experience doing this course with Ian. Perfectly structured course, firstly learning how to make a mallet and then transferring the skills to making an absolutely beautiful stool each. We are so happy with our stools in our home. Ian is a fantastic teacher and a really interesting man - we really enjoyed his company for the day. Thank you again!!"

22 Jul 19'

Paul Butterworth reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Had a really enjoyable time crafting with Ian, would highly recommend this experience as even with no woodworking skills I came away with a lovely stool and a mallet."

19 Jun 19'

Andy Baguley reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Fantastic day with Ian who was a great instructor with patient advice, tips and a good sense of humour. Thoroughly recommend Ian and the courses he offers... and I have a great stool and mallet too!"

14 Jun 19'

Murphy reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"The oak stool making workshop was excellent. The entire day was paced well, with a nice balance of hands-on instruction and space to work. Ian's instructions were clear and straight forward, and he was very encouraging throughout. The learning curve was handled well, even for someone who hasn't really done anything like this before, and it was left up to us how intricate or involved we wanted our final design to be. The quality of the final product is very high; it would certainly be something I would have wanted to purchase in a shop, but with the added bonus that I carved it myself! I'm very interested in pursuing this craft further, and would definitely work with Ian on further courses."

7 May 19'

Anonymous reviewed: Make your own green woodworking 'Shave Horse' from Oak & Ash

"Ian fitted me in at short notice with a condensed day, which worked out well for both of us I think. Fantastic day of learning yet more new skills and came away with a great new device which I was very pleased with. The only small issue now, is finding some spare cash for all the new tools I want to buy. Well recommended and a good development from the rustic stool course for those wanting to learn a bit more."

27 Apr 19'

Graham Deakin reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"My wife gave me the bench making experience as a gift. In fact we worked together on it. Ian has everything ready and supplied some lovely oak pieces for the seat and back. We used ash for the legs and chestnut for the back supports. We used traditional hand tools to do the shaping and smoothing. The result was super and now sits proudly in our garden. Ian was helpful and patient. Our arms and shoulders were aching, but we had a rewarding day and a bench that should outlive us. Thanks Ian."

13 Apr 19'

Emma & Graham reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We both had a great day and learnt so much. Ian was a really good tutor, very encouraging and helpful. I would highly recommend this course for its therapeutic effects as much as for the finished products which we were really pleased with. Thank you Ian!"

3 Apr 19'

Dave & Bec reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"What a fantastic day! I bought this for my wife as a Christmas gift, and we got to take it on a sunny Mother's Day. Ian taught us so much and gave us the skills to make a lovely bench. A full day and we definitely caught the bug--we will be back to make more in the future. Definitely recommend--you won't be disappointed!"

30 Mar 19'

Sam reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This half a day, short course is easily one of the best experiences I have ever had the pleasure of undertaking. Whilst growing up and being in the countryside I have always wondered what craftsmen are still producing this fantastic, rural woodwork. Ian is one of these craftsmen and has an impressive knowledge of 'the way of the grain'! Coming from a background in product design and typically working with machinery, it was an absolute joy to be able to connect with the materials on a more personal level and really gain a much deeper insight into what you are working with. Ian was a brilliant and encouraging teacher who I am grateful to for opening up his rustic workshop to the public. I've left the course feeling inspired and can't wait to get back at it."

29 Mar 19'

Anonymous reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"An excellent day with Ian, making oak stool. Enjoyed meeting fellow 'trainees' Sam and Ian. Learned a lot, really practical day, and I really enjoyed Ian's teaching style, keep sit simple, is very encouraging and let us get on with it. Already planning what else I could come back and do. To cap it all, weather was magnificent for March, well worth the money and drive down from Manchester. Thanks Ian."

16 Mar 19'

Margaret reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Just back from making a oak stool, what a great day enjoyed every minute of it. And very pleased with the stool, Ian was very helpful and didn't rush us, fed us coffee and biscuits to keep energy levels up Thank you for a great day Margaret"

16 Mar 19'

Kim Liggins reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I have just spent the most fabulous day making my oak stool. Ian is the perfect tutor who shows you what to do then lets you do it. He is very gentle in his approach and not rushed, letting you take the time you need to complete each part of the process. He is very encouraging and helpful when you get stuck or as in my case need more muscle. I would highly recommend this course for its therapeutic effects as much as for the finished product. I had no woodworking skills before the course but I have learnt so much. Very rewarding, thank you Ian."