Testimonials
Kerry From Milton Keynes Winter 09
As a trainer myself, I know just how much extra work needs to be done to make a course seem effortless and enjoyable. Richard and Mark work really hard to provide a course which manages to be a holiday and a really intensive learning experience. The preparation, personal attention and relaxed atmosphere gave us a fantastic week, and I went home with objects far more professional and beautiful than I ever thought I could make.
I would have no hesitation at all in recommending the course to anyone, and I hope very much to attend the advanced course soon.
They get the balance just right between giving one-to-one attention and letting you work at your own pace and learn from your own mistakes. I rarely relax on training courses, but the trainers gave me such confidence and encouragement that I improved in leaps and bounds.
Jim Form Fife Autumn 08
It is now about a month since the end of my 2 week stint at your workshops and so high time to provide you with my promised feedback. I have been thinking of you and Margaret over this period and do hope that things have gone as smoothly as possible with the new arrangement.
First of all, my sincere thanks to you for an EXCELLENT two weeks. I came away from the experience feeling that I had learnt an amazing amount of stuff and just dying to go out and try it on my own. I suppose one of the most important things that happened during the two weeks was that I started to realise that I could actually produce quality woodwork. It is still obviously early days, however I am no longer daunted at the prospect of undertaking significant projects and simply working them slowly through to completion. I realise that this is the way to continue the learning process and develop the level of expertise that I would like to acquire in the longer term.
My wife, Joanne was genuinely impressed at the quality of the two projects that I brought back from the workshops. Indeed, she is now enthusiastic that I "get after" a number of other projects that we would like to have done in our house. I am pretty sure that this would have been very much more difficult if I had not been on these workshops!
Since the workshops I have spent a lot of my time constructing a double bed for our spare bedroom. There were a number of design constraints that strongly dictated the final product. The most important of these were:
'The need to have room below the mattresses to be able to store the mattresses, and frames of two single beds that we use when we have a lot of guests. I was strongly motivated to complete this as this has allowed me to take over the bedroom where these beds are placed when we have a lot of guests, as my "warm" workshop at other times'.
Tim from Amsterdam C1 Autumn 07
I really, really, enjoyed the course - a perfect blend of 'get on with it' and 'here's how'. Incredibly helpful, I just wish I'd done it years ago.
Ian from Preston C1 Autumn 07
Just a short note to thank you for a very enjoyable week - I spent a good part of the weekend re - organising my garage trying to make space for some more equipment. The remote control box went down well with my Mother in law and after I told a friend where I had been last week was asked if I could make a table for her new kitchen! I think I need a bit of practice first before I am prepared to submit my pieces to public scrutiny but after your guidance, encouragement and assistance believe I will get there.
Attending the Wood Workshop was for me like a thoroughly enjoyable holiday - the complete experience of learning new skills, going home with finished pieces, meeting like minded people both during the day and getting together in the evening. The pace was perfect - tailored to suit individuals but managed in a collective environment with us all aiming at and reaching the same goal - learning new skills that can be developed and improved at home with the ultimate satisfaction of being able to produce professional pieces of furniture that will last longer than we will and leaving on the Friday with all of us wanting more - a truly memorable week. Thank you again and thanks to Tim and Jon for sharing their own reasons and enthusiasm for the subject, I will be back as I am sure they will too.
Jonathan from Northumberland C1 Autumn 07
First off, I thoroughly enjoyed the week, and feel that if only I can reproduce here the standards you set in your own workshop I'll be doing very well. I was struck by how well the course was organized, both in terms of structure and in terms of the layout and completeness of the equipment. I've spent my life devising and teaching courses, so I think I'm able to recognize a good one.
I was struck by how well the course was organized, both in terms of structure and in terms of the layout and completeness of the equipment. I've spent my life devising and teaching courses, so I think I'm able to recognize a good one. You were able to give us just about the right amount of tuition and hands-on time and I had the feeling that you were very sensitive to the skills and learning needs of the course participants. In my own case, you managed to help me overcome my initial bouts of being discouraged and get me to realize that I could probably do it with sufficient thought (and natural light, maybe a new pair of specs...). Friends and relations seemed genuinely surprised and impressed even with the results I achieved in five days under your tuition.
I found the surveys of tools and techniques extremely useful. Indeed, looking back, we seem to have covered mostly things I'm going to need initially. Finding space at the end of the course for the participants to try basic procedures which they had not encountered in their own projects was a welcome and instructive bonus. Your invitation to contact you after the end of the course and to keep in touch is another welcome feature.
Stephen Course 1 December
Many thanks for a very instructive and enjoyable week last week. I could provide all of the usual plaudits but I am sure you get them all of the time. I will therefore say two things:
1. I finished the small chest/drawers and applied Monocoat and wax during Saturday. I then showed the finished product to the wife. Her first word was Wow!. That was judgement and reward enough.
2. I would highly recommend your course and approach to anyone thinking of attending. It is best summed up by the Chinese proverb:
“Tell me and I will listen, Show me and I will remember, Involve me and I will understand.”
Melissa from Newcastle Course 1 & 2
So 2 weeks after spending the 2 weeks on the course, I've finished another commission (a bed) and made progress with my workshop. I've kept buying things to a minimum but have bought a Nobex mitre saw - what a good suggestion from you - and a stand for my power drill - so mortise and tenons are much quicker and easier. Also an orbital sander and a dust extractor. That all feels fine for the moment - I'll see how it goes with that.
The 2 weeks on the course were exactly what I needed - a really focussed period of time concentrating on making furniture, your expert teaching and your advice on and suggestions for my workshop. The small class and the flexibility of your teaching/advice depending on our needs and interests were great. By the way, my friend isn't picking up the oak bench until the new year and we're getting very fond of it in our hall!
Thanks you so much and please let me know when you might be doing an advance course. It was a good decision to delay it so that i can put everything I've learnt into practice.
Katharine from London Course 1&2
I had a fantastic time over the last couple of weeks, and I learned so much. Never having tackled anything like this before was quite daunting, but you were very good at explaining how (and why) you do everything. I was thrilled at how professionally made my projects turned out. I could hardly believe I'd made them! It has given me real confidence to go and try out some ideas myself.
I can't wait to get home and start experimenting. I'd recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn more about woodwork and carpentry.
Ruth from Berwickshire Course 1
Hi Richard - just had to e-mail you to let you know how much I enjoyed the course last week. I came home buzzing with enthusiasm and information - the next day going into my workshop and on unpacking the final two boxes from my uncle found lots of useful tools - which I now know how to use!! I'm just off to try and set up the workshop with shelves and tool boards etc - what an inspiration you are. Lots of folk have been very impressed with the chair and you will be very relieved to hear that I have just printed out a list of instructions for the router!. I do hope I can find time to come on the intermediate course sometime.
(Ruth Makes fire bellows and as a professional traditional upholster she could do the leather bit, so for her second project we made jigs and fittings to help her make the rest of the bellows. Richard)
Alan, Dunbar , East Lothian Course 1 & 2
I enrolled on the Wood Workshop course with a view to pursuing a career change after working for more than twenty years in field of broadcast engineering. Over the years I've been involved in designing control room desk and technical furniture. However the final construction was always left to specialist companies.
So I was keen to get involved in the construction side of furniture and cabinet making. Richard made us all very welcome on the first day and by 9.00 we were all beavering away on our elected projects. During the course we covered all the various stages involved in producing the a finished piece.
Richard's training approach allowed you to achieve so much in such a short period of time.I still find it amazing, starting off with a pile of rough wood and by the end of the project you have produced an item of furniture that would enhance your own home or somebody else's. I would certainly recommend this course to anybody interested in gaining the skills to produce bespoke furniture as a hobby or as a business venture.
Richard your help was invaluable.
Rebecca from Merseyside Course 1 & 2
"I’d always had an interest in wood and furniture and fancied trying to make something or at least learn how it is made. I decided I would give it a go and I am so glad I did! After arriving on the first Monday with no experience and no idea it took Richard about 10 seconds just to make me feel welcome and confident and ready to try anything. The course covers all sorts of techniques and you get a chance to try so many tools and machines that you suddenly realise by the end of it just how much you have learnt. It really is surprising how much you can achieve in such a short amount of time. The projects set are challenging and extremely rewarding. It’s so nice to have something great to take home at the end. Richard is always ready to listen to your ideas and try to help putting ideas into practice. I was therefore given the opportunity to produce a fantastic toy box that my son is so proud of! He filled it with dinosaurs the minute I got home form the course!
If you are reading this and wondering whether to give this course a try I can only say go for it. The groups are very small so ideal for all sorts of abilities. If I can do this course anyone can! Thank you Richard. You have made myself (and my son!) very happy!"
Jamie from Carlisle
I have been working with wood for ten years and thought I knew a bit about it, Having been on the beginners course I now know I didn't. I have learnt more in the last 5 days than in the last 10 years, I have not only learnt totally new skills but have been shown ways to improve the ones I had. This is a fantastic course and a great teacher.
(Jamie came for a week to learn how to make doors and windows the way that they used to be made. Richard )
John from Penrith
Beginners This has exceeded my expectations in so many ways, Richard has been very professional in every aspect from helping me with my chosen project, discussing hand tools, power tools and all sorts of useful tips.
It has been everything and more than the information pack said, relaxed, informal and an educational experience. I would recommend the beginners course to anybody that is interested in wood.
Intermediate Following on the beginners course is a must, it is a continuation in more depth very challenging and more difficult, but knowing that Richard is there to guide you through is a great help and gives you confidence. Very rewarding to see your chosen project that "you have made" at the end of the week. This again has been a very satisfying and enjoyable week.
John from Kendal
Excellent introduction to the sophisticated use of power tools for high quality cabinet making, Richard is an inspired teacher shows you how and leaves you to it, but drawing your attention to the imminent mistake. The whole course was relaxed, enjoyable and rewarding, The completed pieces of furniture flattered our abilities but we did feel ownership of them.
John Came back in December on the advanced course and made a corner cupboard in Oak with "h" hinges and a good job he made of it. (TWW comment)
John from London
A course for anyone truly interested in furniture, Good instruction on how to use the fully equipped workshop with a true insight into some of the problems and overcoming them. I will come again on the advanced course , well worth the 275 mile drive.
John from Carlisle
I would happily recommend these courses to anyone, They where exactly what I was looking for and I will be back for more.