Artistry in Wood reviews

17 Jul 15'

john davis reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Thank you once again for another great day of tuition, very informative and educational! I’m glad that you can be so patient, I need it and obviously the Dementia kicks in now and again when I repeat a simple error, but your advice is calmly repeated with no frustration on your part and I usually learn the lesson… The facilities are more than adequate for a single student, it must be handy for you to demonstrate on one lathe while I make feeble attempts on the other, but I feel that I am coming on and that;s all down to you. Not one, but two lidded boxes completed, not just a first for me but a first and second!! As usual, we were well looked after by Sue keeping us awash in tea/coffee not to mention a lovely piece of ham for lunch - I couldn’t wish for more! Thanks again, and just as we anticipated, my daughter does prefer the photo of the darker box - great minds think alike! Keep up the good work,"

4 Jul 15'

Alan Eaglestone reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you George for a very informative, relaxed and hands on day. I had been turning bowls for quite some time, on and off, but I now know how to do it correctly and when I compare my previous efforts to the bowls I produced on the day then mine look ready for the bin! I will keep them though to see the improvement. Given a chance I will recommend your turning course to anyone. Thanks also to Sue for a nice lunch."

28 May 15'

Don Parkman reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I want to thank George and Sue for an inspiring day in Burnham-on-Sea. George is a great teacher; he's so patient and full of encouragement and I really felt a great sense of achievement at the end of the day. I could soon see that many of the 'You Tube videos' I had been watching were leading me in completely the wrong direction and I'm glad to say that George was able to put me right. Thank you to Sue who kept us well fed, and supplied with as many cups of tea as we could manage. My wife was delighted with the bowl I made and is making a list of other items she would like!"

7 May 15'

Adrian reviewed: Wood turning courses

"COMMENT: Thank you George for 2 very worthwhile days introduction to wood turning. Finding myself with an abundance of tools and; equipment which I did not know how to use, you have opened the door for me to a fascinating hobby which I am looking forward to developing.Thank you for your detailed instruction and; guidance, the use of your equipment and; materials and;, not least, Sue's hospitality! Thank you again. Adrian."

3 May 15'

Emily and Don reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thanks for the tuition yesterday George! We love the bowls and are feeling confident and ready to give it another go soon!"

7 Apr 15'

Aaron Merrimen reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Thanks so much for a fantastic day! It was a real joy to join you in your workshop for my first wood turning experience. I'm always looking to learn new skills and I couldent think of a better way to get started on the lathe. I was amazed my the results I achieved under your instruction and am looking forward to continuing to practice. I'm sure I'll be back for another session in the near future to learn some more of the secrets to good wood turning practice! Thanks again, Aaron"

30 Mar 15'

Steve George reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Thanks for a good day today and excellent hospitality. Apart from coming away with a decent turned bowl I have learnt some useful skills, I will certainly return for more. Regards Steve"

30 Mar 15'

Martin Fulford reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George Many thanks for a great day. Great down to earth tuition. I will be back for more days"

10 Mar 15'

Joby reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Just wanted to say thank you so much for the tuition session that I had with you yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and was over the moon with the bowl that I made with your help! Both yourself and your lovely wife made me feel so welcome and it felt like I had known you both for years!! I will certainly be back for more courses and I will be highly recommending you to every one I speak to!! Thanks again for a lovely day and for helping to feed my turning bug!!"

26 Feb 15'

Bernie reviewed: Wood turning courses

": Thank you George for a very interesting day on the wood turning course. I learnt a lot, and realise that there is a great deal more to learn. You are a very good tutor and conversationalist Thanks also to you wife Susan for her hospitality. Annie loves the bowl. Regards Bernie"

25 Feb 15'

Sarah Hannah & Brian reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Just a quick note to say thank you very much to both you and Mark for a very enjoyable wood turning experience day. Dad, Hannah and I were really pleased with the bowls we each produced under your expert guidance. Both yourself and Mark made us feel really comfortable in your workshop and we really felt we learnt a lot about the basics including safety in a fun and friendly environment. The day was a really good introduction for us and we are all keen to have another go at this, even considering buying a lathe between us. I would definitely recommend both yourself and Mark to anyone thinking of taking wood turning up or just for a one off experience as we had a really great time. We should also add a big thank you to your lovely wife who also worked hard to provided a tasty lunch and copious cups of tea and coffee. We will keep an eye on your website for upcoming courses and will hopefully see you again soon. We would love to learn how to make a cake stand if that's possible in a day? Thanks again Best Regards Sarah, Hannah & Brian"

10 Feb 15'

Paul Le Baigue reviewed: Wood turning courses

"A brilliant day well spent. I learned something new that's inspired me for the future, I started and finished something all in one day (something I find hard at the best of times) and I made something that was as perfect on the back as at the front! George is extremely knowledgeable, patient and passionate and with tea throughout the day and lunch thanks to Susan I can wholly recommend."

11 Dec 14'

Wolfgang reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I thought the two days were absolutely AMAZING! When we started out first, I could see you trying to figure out this foreigner standing there, but as we went along, I think it got better and better. And I was positively surprised that towards the end of the second day you (presumably deliberately) turned your back on me to turn a quick piece of your own. I took it as a sign of approval of what I was doing. George is a fantastic teacher. He has his way of teaching, but boy, is he good at it. There is a clear focus on the tooling and technique that will achieve results, and in the two days my technique and understanding increased by an order of magnitude. This was worth every single penny, and then some. And I walked away with three truly stunning pieces that both of us can be proud of. If anybody wants to start out with woodturning, or try some experimental things with texturing and colour, I'd recommend George all day long. Cheers Wolfgang"

26 Nov 14'

Rob Hall reviewed: Wood turning courses

"A very interesting day spent with George turning this bowl, I enjoyed the learning process from start through to sanding / finishing. A very high standard of tuition and advice. I would highly recommend a course here to anyone. Many thanks George and Sue for a warm welcome. Regards Rob"

10 Nov 14'

John Donavan reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you George for the very warm welcome from you and Sue. The day was full of helpful hints, tips and guidance on what to do and not to do. It was great to come away with a lovely bowl (which my wife has put on display for all to see). Many thanks to Sue for the lovely refreshments. I will be back for more tuition once I've had some practice. John Donovan"

31 Oct 14'

Neil reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I booked this for my son and decided to join in too. Despite a dodgy taste in music George was thorough and explained the process in great detail and terms my son could comprehend. We came away with 2 top class bowls, a large dose of confidence for my son and the knowledge to continue the evolvement of the craft. As a man that calls a spade a shovel George is quick to identify incorrect technique, and will put you on the correct path quickly. Don't expect any airs & graces but good old fashioned teaching that gets results."

25 Aug 14'

Paddy reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you George for a wonderful day. I can't believe I came away with such a beautiful bowl. My husband was soooo impressed. George you were clear and patient and we had fun producing this masterpiece. Thank you too Susan for a delicious lunch and endless cups of tea. I hope to come again to learn more. Paddy."

6 Jul 14'

Dianna reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George Thank you so much for a really super day, and an amazing end product - my husband cannot believe that I actually made the bowl myself. I have never known a day to go so quickly. Please also thank your wife for the lovely lunch. I am sure my son would like to come so will contact you when I know that he will be available as he lives in London. Thank you once again for a really lovely day. Diana"

5 Jul 14'

Neil Harris reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George Just wanted to say thanks for a great days tuition (Sat 05 July), I have learnt so much! Having never turned a thing in my life I was amazed that I was able to take a finished piece home - a lovely walnut bowl, now pride of place on the coffee table! So glad I booked up for the day, looking forward to putting it into practise now. Say thank you to your wife - lunch, coffee and cake all much appreciated! Thanks again George, hopefully be back soon to show you how I am getting on! Neil Harris"

4 Jul 14'

Fiona Campball reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Thanks so much for a truly inspirational and rewarding day. I was amazed at what we achieved, even as complete beginners, and we have now been bitten by the woodturning bug! Thank you both for making us so welcome, and giving us such good teaching with such a successful outcome. We will let you know when we are about to start dealing with our massive fallen turkey oak – poor thing has sprouted, because some of its roots are still in the earth! Thank again so much best wishes Fiona"

1 Jun 14'

Roger Buss reviewed: Wood turning courses

"George I arrived at your tuition workshop, as a complete novice, for a two day woodturning course. You made me feel very relaxed with a cup of tea and preliminary chat. The Health and Safety introduction was exemplary. It was obvious after a very short while that your knowledge of woodturning and the characteristics of wood and the way it reacts was complete. You were very patient with me and explained all the processes fully. I left after the second day with great confidence although my skill needs to be honed with much more practice. I had made 3 bowls and have the confidence to try this with my own lathe. Thank you very much for your help and will be back for the colouring course when I am more proficient with the lathe. Regards Roger Buss"

24 Apr 14'

Bob Pix reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Just to say thank you for yesterday, I learnt a lot and now just have to remember and put it into practice - I hope my bad habits are not too far gone. Thank you too for putting me straight on the grinds on my tools, no wonder I couldn’t get on with the spindle gouge. Please thank Susan too for looking after us so well."

19 Apr 14'

Andrew Robinson reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I would just like to say how much I enjoyed my day’s woodturning with George. Particularly rewarding was the opportunity to have a go at some decorative work (ebonizing and grain filling with gold) which felt quite artistic! George is relaxed and patient and I found his overall teaching style to be very encouraging. I now feel inspired to take the plunge, buy the kit and set up a lathe at home. Many thanks to you George! Andrew Robinson, Bucks."

1 Apr 13'

Cheryl reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Earlier this year I had three days one-to-one instruction with George at his workshop in Burnham on Sea. I am very much a beginner and make slow progress but George has been very patient and has definitely helped to boost my confidence. Last week I turned my first complete bowl at home, alone, without any heart-stopping moments. It may not sound very exciting but for me it is a tremendous achievement!"

25 Mar 13'

Kevin Hanley reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Have been tutored twice by George (once on colouring and texturing and once on hollow forms), and my turning has definately improved as a result. George is patient, understanding, very knowledgable and excellent at imparting his knowledge. I have no hesitation in recommending him,"