Latest reviews

13 Jun 16'

Nila reviewed: Illustration: Children's Books - 3 workshops

"I feel much happier and more energetic since I started classes at the Mary Ward Centre."

13 Jun 16'

Karen reviewed: Paper And Textile Jewellery

"I started at the Mary Ward Centre with just a casual interest in Art. Now, 4 years later, I specialise in textile art and ‘soft sculptures’. I’ve hosted a solo exhibition in my local library."

13 Jun 16'

Deborah reviewed: Drawing And Painting Portraits

"The Mary Ward Centre has allowed me to let go of creative restraints, it's given me confidence and I've learnt a lot of new techniques. Now I can really draw from my heart!"

13 Jun 16'

Patsy reviewed: Experimental Drawing From Sculpture

"The tutors give just the right level of criticism and it's always constructive, I'm allowed to make my own mistakes and learn from them."

13 Jun 16'

Alex Mason reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My wife gave me this as a present for my 75th birthday - Nigel is a great character and an excellent teacher - a few safety tips, a demonstration then off you go to get on with it - under his guidance the things I made will be treasured. I would recommend this to anyone with or without any previous practical experience. A memorable day spent with a man who certainly has a flair for artistry in metal. Alex mason"

12 Jun 16'

Hernan Morillo reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I signed up for the one day course with Nigel. I had never done any smithing before and I was curious about how it would feel to bend, shape and form metal, it is an amazing thing to be able to create a complex shape from a simple rod. Nigel was excellent, obviously a talented artist/ craftsman but also a good teacher and great fun to hear his many stories. The workshop is an engineers' paradise. You'll get to visit his gallery too which is full of interesting artefacts and there are arty sculptures scattered around the gardens. I am planning to spend another 1-2 days working on my own design of a fire pit. Would I recommend this course/ Nigel ? Yes, without any hesitation and I look forward to visiting Fransham Forge again soon. Thank you for an excellent day Nigel."

12 Jun 16'

Annabel Parfitt reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I had an amazing day at the forge. After a brief but informative safety bit we watched Colin make a coat hook and within 15 minutes of starting the day we had our tongs on hot metal. Colin was a great teacher, giving encouragement and guidance when needed but leaving us to get on and learn when we were OK. We got to make our own fabulous projects, did a bit of team work on axe heads and I went home with coats hooks, a beautiful Saxon style pruning knife, an axe and a couple of swan style key fobs. I'll be back when I have other projects I've thought up to make."

12 Jun 16'

Len Shield reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Hi this was my first taste of Blacksmithing since leaving school 50 years ago. The day did not disappoint, brilliant from start to finish with excellent tuition from Adrian and his associate. Tea and home made biscuits to start the day followed by the obligatory health and safety then down to the first small project to get you into the feel of the forge and heat. Good practical demonstration instruction, stage by stage, followed by an excellent home made lunch and local cheese then back to the heat of the forge and the completion of the Dragon coat hanger. Every one was friendly and helpful. Do not miss this course. I will be back for more. Len Shield"

12 Jun 16'

Harvey Darkins reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I had a great day blacksmithing with Nigel on the one day course. I received the course as a present from my girlfriend as I've always wanted to have a go and maybe start it as a hobby. I managed to make a fire set (poker, tong and shovel) in the day which was a nice thing to take away from the course. Nigel is always on hand to help you through each stage. He makes it look very easy. We stayed at the forge in one of Nigel's shepherds hut. It was very comfortable, perfect accommodation for the course, with everything you need. Plus, it was nice to be able to cook our meals on open fire. I would definitely go back for another day if I start blacksmithing as a hobby, for more tuition."

12 Jun 16'

Matt Filer reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"As a total beginner with an interest in wood craft, I was bought this introduction day to woodtunring as a birthday present, I have to say genuinely wonderful experience and would highly recommend it to anyone. The whole day was massively informative and enjoyable as well as testing. Great care and detail was given in regard all aspects of skills and tools required, to include a detailed handout covering all basics which was used as the guide for the day. Mark clearly has a wealth of experience and knowledge which is only eclipsed by his passion for the art, of which he has a very high degree of skill. Not only did I find the course a perfect introduction to woodturning, leaving with a turned bowl as a reminder of the day I found Mark to be great company and very patient with me."

12 Jun 16'

Debbie Hodges reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I thoroughly recommend this day course if you are interested in learning basket making. Julie is an excellent tutor - she has years of experience and is patient and thorough. The classes are kept small to allow plenty of one to one guidance and assistance, and although there is a lot to pack into the day, it isn't rushed and I learnt so much. The added bonus is that you get to make your very own basket to take home at the end of the day, with all the materials supplied. The homemade cakes were delicious too!"

11 Jun 16'

Su Parker reviewed: Online textile surface pattern design workshop

"As a complete beginner I spent a thoroughly enjoyable day with Deb, who was both knowledgable and encouraging. We looked at the elements of good textile design through existing design examples. This was followed by creating my own design based on plants found in the garden, which was eventually transferred into print. It's given me plenty of ideas and I'm now looking forward to furthering my experience of design and printing. Thank you Deb!"

10 Jun 16'

Charlotte Mayhew reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"I had such a great time on this course. I learnt so much and Jason was incredibly generous with all his knowledge and went out of his way to answer all my questions, even the ones i hadn't yet verbalised! The company and setting was perfect, lunch was great and i had 100% satisfaction walking away with my new skills and bag that i had made. Thank you"

10 Jun 16'

Ann Gray reviewed: 2 Online Felt Picture Courses - Summer Storm & Raindrops on Roses

"It's a long time since I enjoyed a day as much as the Bridget's felt making workshop. She is a great host and teacher. We had the lot - from individual guidance, to fascinating snippets about the history of felt making, to loads of information about how Bridget has developed her felt picture making skills - all to help us produce a felt picture we could be proud of. She created a warm, friendly atmosphere in which the 9 hours we spent working on our pictures flew by. I particularly welcomed her skill in analysing the photos and images we brought with us to base our felt pictures on. Her guidance enabled us build layers that would produce a good felted image. Inspirational - I've already booked on a two day masterclass and I'm looking forward to working on some small felt pictures at home."

9 Jun 16'

Helen Watkin reviewed: Candle making workshops

"Angharad provided a wonderful day course in candle making at her lovely home set in the beautiful Welsh countryside. The course allowed us to explore several candle making techniques using different materials in her comfortable workshop. As there was just the two of us Angharad was able to devote a lot of time and we enjoyed the hands-on nature of this course, coming away with a lovely collection of candles and the enthusiasm to use skills learnt to make a few more at home. We would like to thank Angharad for her informative and knowledgeable approach along with great amounts of enthusiasm for making this such a great day. Thank you."

9 Jun 16'

Vicky reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"Thankyou Ann for helping me build the skills to begin a crochet granny square blanket, I would definitely recommend you to anyone looking to learn how to crochet and build the confidence to continue independently. The vintage tea rooms are also lovely and an ideal location for this workshop. Thankyou xx"

9 Jun 16'

Sarah Lane reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"What a lovely course. We were made so welcome and the teaching was excellent keeping to each persons individual pace and needs. we came away with lovely pictures and more importantly the skills to continue to paint in felt independently if we wished. Thank you."

8 Jun 16'

Jane East reviewed: Fused Glass Making Evening Classes

"After an evening talk at WI several of us attended a workshop which was great fun & from there I am now on my 2nd 6 week course. The subject is very absorbing, the workshop offers good conditions & Liz is extremely helpful but also gives confidence to those of us who feel inadequate! I haven't felt so enthusiastic about something for a long time, mostly thanks to Liz & her knowledge."

8 Jun 16'

Sadia reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"My daughter and I had a lovely afternoon learning to crochet for the first time. My ten year old picked up the basic techniques really quickly and although we didn't finish the toy hammock we started at the session -we managed to continue and finish it off at home (thanks to the written notes provided by Ann). It was a great starting point and gave us the encouragement to continue with further developing our crochet skills. Thank you Ann !"

8 Jun 16'

David Laycock reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was the second course I have completed and can highly recommend it, I look forward to the next one. Adrian and Andy run an informative, hands on, yet relaxed course perfect for novices like myself. Debbie's lunch and treats were delicious too! Thanks again."

8 Jun 16'

Geoff Thompson reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"This was a gift from my wife for a one to one days tuition with Mark. I had no experience of woodturning despite being a Carpenter for the last 35 plus years so was somewhat apprehensive regards the day. Having spoke to Mark in order to book the date I already felt more at ease and was looking forward to the day. Butties in hand and the big tool box left behind the day was far more enjoyable and informative than I would have imagined. Marks tuition was tuned to my ability and interest and I felt comfortable at all times. This was a first class experience and Mark is an excellent tutor and his personality helps to make the day."

8 Jun 16'

Dr Brad Kirkland reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I came on the beginner's course to get a taste for it because I research fourteenth century armour smiths. Adrian & co. were fantastic the entire time each time I've been out, and now I've made my own tools and am hoping that someone will not be able to make it to a future booked course so that I can take their spot. The first course introduced some basics and gave me the chance to make some gifts for family back home. By the second course I felt a lot more confident in what I was doing, but they still were right there with help and direction whenever it was needed. And of course there's Debbie's excellent food that everyone raves about in these reviews."

8 Jun 16'

Sivi reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"The course was well worth the 6 hours drive to get up from London. I found that I felt really comfortable asking questions as you were really patient throughout. This was despite me going off book on design and needing a little more help to finish the bag in the two days."

8 Jun 16'

Avanthi Selvaratnam reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"As a teacher your guidance and knowledge really allowed us to plan a functional and personalised bag that was achievable in the 2 days. It was such an eye-opening and life changing experience in a beautiful setting. What a lovely way to spend a summers weekend!"

8 Jun 16'

Dax Hewitt reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was the third course I have done with Adrian, Andy and Debbie. It's a full day starting with a brew and biscuits then after the safety briefing and a demo by Adrian it's time to put the steel in the fire and start hammering. Each step is demonstrated by Adrian and both Andy and Adrian are constantly on hand to point you in to the right direction. At lunchtime Debbie puts a great spread on of very tasty food but be warned, there is a lot of it. After lunch it's back to the fire and hammers then at finish time it's a hot or cold drink with a large slice of cake. This course was the tool making course, a pair of tongs and a couple of punches. What was particularly good was making the punch then using it to punch the rivet hole in the tongs. It is really satisfying to use a tool that you have made from scratch to make a more advanced tool. After 3 courses I have the tools and enough knowledge to make more tools and go on to make other items too. Thank you Adrian, Debbie and Andy. I will be back next year."