Cheshire Woodworking Courses reviews

16 Jul 17'

Davinia Phelan reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I really recommend Cheshire Woodworking if you want to start getting into Woodworking. The 5 day beginners course was amazing and I always looked forward to it coming around each week. During the course I learnt alot, Ciarán explained everything brilliantly. I had the achievement of producing a piece of furniture at the end which was wonderful. From this experience I now feel ready to continue to give other woodworking items ago with the skills I have gained. In the future I am considering attending the intermediate course which looks great. Ciarán is so dedicated to his students and wants them to succeed in the items they produce. The course was so enjoyable and I met some lovely people, we all also enjoyed our meals at the pub and lovely cake and tea in the workshop. A very big thank you to Ciarán as all the students on the course produced lovely items. A very worthwhile course indeed!"

25 Jun 17'

Maureen Oughton reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I have just completed the four day intensive beginners course with Ciarán and have had a wonderful time. I would truly recommend it to either an absolute beginner or someone with woodwork skills. Ciarán is a great teacher and makes you feel as passionate as he is for handcrafted furniture making. Ciarán's enthusiastic and diligent approach ensures you get all the help and support you need. I was astounded by the piece of work we produced. Thank you to Ciarán for the best 4 days I have had in a long time The cups of tea and biscuits, lovely lunches and the laughter also go down a treat. Maureen Oughton"

21 Jun 17'

Irene Walker reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"Highly recommended. I had the best time on this course as well as the beginners. Ciaran is such a great teacher. He explains everything you need to know. He makes the course fun and ensures you perform to the best of your abilities so you walk away proud of the piece you have made. Look no further. If you want to improve on your existing woodworking skills, do this course, you will not be disappointed. Big thank you to Ciaran. I can't believe that only three months ago I couldn't even saw! Now I'm happily making my own pieces with pride. I'll be back to do more courses as you develop them. I'm missing the workshop already."

20 Jun 17'

karen reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"Absolutely superb course. Ciaran is a skilled and patient teacher with a gift for imparting his vast knowledge of furniture making to a mixed ability group. I was the least experienced of the group on the intermediate course, but learned a huge amount over the five days - particularly liked the course structure of demonstrations and time to practise before starting work on the final piece. Lovely group of people which - together with a non-stop supply of biscuits - made for a really enjoyable few days."

20 Jun 17'

Andrew Browning reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"This is the second Course that I have done with Ciaran. As with the beginers course, the teaching was relaxed, enthusiastic and always positive. Ciaran is a real enthusiast for woodworking and teaching, doing both with consumate ease. I am still not sure how he managed to coax that coffee table out of me, but that he did, its self speaks volumes! The workshop is very well equiped with a bench per student and good quality tools which were always very well maintained. I have done other craft courses before and this has to rank as one of the very best. It is very good value for money; the inclusive lunch is excellent and the standard of teaching is of the highest quality. My only suggestion for the course would be to extend it to 6 days as there is so much to learn and enjoy it would make the course even better."

10 May 17'

Andy Hamlett reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"A belated thanks to Ciaran. I attended the beginners course in early Feb 2017, it was an excellent informative course run by a genial good natured fella. There was a laid-back atmosphere albeit quite intensive. Ciaran is a fine craftsman and a patient tutor, I look forward to carrying on with the intermediate course in the near future."

3 May 17'

Kevin O'Hara reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I've just completed the four day intensive beginners course and absolutely loved it. Coming into the course I could barely saw in a straight line and at the end of 4 days I left with a beautiful piece of furniture that I still can’t quite believe I made. Ciarán is passionate about woodworking but also showing others that they can do it too no matter how little experience they might have. Ciarán’s background in teaching really shows, the class was perfectly paced and small enough that not only everyone got the help and advice that they needed from Ciarán but also got to know each other well, chatting and helping out where needed. I have come away with new skills and the motivation to build on them going forward. I would recommend this course without hesitation, oh and the lunches everyday were excellent!"

17 Apr 17'

James reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I completed the 4 day intensive course at the start of march. its a very good course. Ciarán is an excellent teacher and deserves the full 5 star rating and that doesn't include being fuelled by all the teas, coffees and biscuits he plied us with. The course and Ciarán has spurred me on into taking up woodworking as a hobby, and to possibly take it further later on. I'm now making a jointer plane with ash from Potters and some mahogany I got from the local amenity tip! The next job will be a workbench :) Thanks Ciarán, much appreciated. PS. good tip on Roys Relics, I picked up a No.3 and a No.4 1/2 Bailey along with a couple of other bits :)"

17 Apr 17'

Lee Payne reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"Ciaran you are a star, what an absolutely fabulous time not only enjoyed all the company but you spent time getting to know us all and offered advice on anything needless to say I know use my wadkin planet the correct way"

19 Mar 17'

James Whitelaw reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"My wife bought me the two day wood turning course as a present. From the off Cairan was brilliant - First morning was going through safety, sharpening and the basics - excellently done. Then it was onto the lathes - that is what makes this course stand - it was so hands on! Ciaran is an excellent instructor - his passion for wood is very evident. While we got going with wood turning he kept us going on tea and biscuits. Lunch was provided at a local pub. End of the first day I was so chuffed at having turned a honey drizzler! The other items? Pen great, bowl likewise but the garden dibber? Maybe that should become part of a mortar and pestle! Again Cairan thanks for an unforgettable 2 days - certainly made me thirsty to do more."

19 Mar 17'

Matthew Wesson reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"I got bought the 2 day wood turning course as a present. It was a throughly enjoyable course. Ciaran was a brilliant tutor - very knowledgeable, skilled, patient and fun. It was very hands on and I went away with several pieces I was really pleased with. I'd thoroughly recommend this and would jump at the chance if there was another wood turning course run by Ciaran."

16 Mar 17'

Martin Ball reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"What can I say, but wow! An excellent teacher and mentor, brilliant facilities and fantastic food. Not to mention the fact that I have learned a raft of new skills in such a short time and come away with a product that I can be proud of, as well as something that the wife is happy with! I'm looking forward to booking onto the Intermediate course to continue my studies with Ciaran!"

15 Mar 17'

Ian Butterworth reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I've just completed this 4 day course and can honestly say it was absolutely fantastic - I returned home a very happy and satisfied person with my new piece of hand made furniture. Ciarán is an amazing & engaging tutor - full of passion, knowledge, patience and encouragement. The 4 days flowed seamlessly and there was never a dull moment. I'm going to put my newly learned skills into practice and next year take the intermediate course - I whole heartedly agree with ALL the 5 star comments below - such a top chap. Ciarán, I owe you !"

15 Mar 17'

Andrew Williams reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"I attended Ciarán's two day woodturning course, he took us over the basics and some required health and safety elements then got us straight on the lathe working away. Over the two days we produced a honey spoon, a garden dibber, and a small bowl, all the time giving practical hands on advice and guiding us through each step of producing wonderful items. Ciarán's love and passion for woodworking showed through his teaching and i've left the course feeling i've got some strong basic skills and the confidence to get me working on my own projects. Its been an absolute privilege to be taught by Ciarán, and I hope to be able to take up more courses with him in the future."

15 Mar 17'

Bernie reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I've just completed the four-day 'Intensive Beginners' course with my 22 year old son. Challenging, exhausting but so rewarding even for someone with my limited abilities. Ciarán is an exceptional teacher, patient, skilled and able to provide just the right level of support needed by each one of us. Perhaps most importantly, the course was immense fun helped by an inexhaustible supply of tea, coffee, biscuits, and a really great bunch of guys. It was my lad's idea to do this and I'm so glad we did. One day we'll be back for the intermediate level. I thoroughly recommend it."

15 Mar 17'

Alan Douglas reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"A really enjoyable course with lots of opportunity for hands-on woodturning experience. Ciaran is an excellent tutor who after an overview of the lathe and the tools to use, is available to offer his wealth of knowlege and experience, as we have the opportunity to use our newly gained knowledge to produce a number of completed and finished woodturned pieces. A very rewarding and fulfilling 2 days of woodturning, with lunch at a great local pub as welcome refreshment. Well worth doing."

15 Mar 17'

Bryan Diggins reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"Ciaran is an excellent tutor. After a short introduction the small group of us got straight into turning with our own lathe for the two day course. The pace was driven by ourselves and with Ciaran's guidance we all got past our first go at a piece of timber then quickly produced works of art - honey dippers. We then made pens , bowls, and garden bulb dibbers. Ciaran gave us all the tips to complete and finish objects using different woods and finishing oils. It was very satisfying to create really good pieces even when considering that we were all complete beginners. Lunch at a local pub was a nice touch - no alcohol though! when working with machinery. Great course, great tutor, great company great first woodworking presents. Top course!!!"

10 Mar 17'

William reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"Like most people I came to do the course hoping for the best & fearing the worst. However in Ciaran you have the best possible teacher for those who want to try their hand at something new. He manages to make you feel at ease whilst teaching, is clear & concise, funny, helpful, generous with his time & knowledge & managed to coax the best out of everyone on the course. A great bunch of people with a great teacher, endless supply of tea & biscuits with a free pub lunch thrown in everyday! What more could you want? I'm definitely booking in for my intermediate course & look forward to learning more from the 'master'. :)"

9 Mar 17'

Arnold Certa reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"Excellent course, great atmosphere and I already wish I could do intermediate one very soon! Ciarán is very good teacher and couldn't recommend his skills highly enough."

15 Feb 17'

Mike Taylor reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"I really enjoyed this course. It was delivered in a friendly and relaxed manner and I learned some useful skills which I can transfer to other areas of woodworking. I recommend this course for anyone interested in furniture making or general woodworking."

13 Feb 17'

Andy Robinson reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"My wife surprised me by booking me on this fantastic intermediate course. I last built a small table nearly 40 years ago as a teenager at school and since then have really only worked with wood in a DIY sort of way, making the most of power tools to get that job done quickly! Ciarán excellent teaching and facilities reawakened my love and respect for wood and the simplicity and beauty of the hand tools to work it. So if, like me, you are happy holding a saw, chisel and plane but really don't know what you should be using them for then this is the course for you. Under Ciarán's guidance you get to build a beautiful piece of furniture that can, like for me, open the door to exploring a new adventure in hand crafted woodworking. Thanks Ciarán (oh, and Liz ;-) )"

27 Jan 17'

Peter Murray reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I just completed the intensive intermediate course which I have say was a fantastic few days. Ciaran is a great teacher and the time in the workshop really builds confidence to tackle more advanced projects, with Ciaran providing tonnes of insight and tips along the way. The atmosphere is really relaxed and before you know it you are creating dovetails without even thinking - something I would have never have tackled before the course. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to go on from the beginner level."

2 Dec 16'

Blair Smith reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"I can't recommend this course enough! I did the 10 week beginners course and although I had done a little bit of woodwork in school about 10 years ago, I haven't done any since so was coming into this with no idea what I was doing. Ciarán is a great teacher and I would love to do the next course, and will definitely carry on making stuff."

2 Dec 16'

Katherine reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I recently finished the 10 week intermediate course, having completed the intensive beginner course in April this year. Ciaran was as helpful and patient as always. His positive and happy demeanor, along with a constant supply of tea and biscuits, ensures the classes are very enjoyable. I am proud to have brought home my second piece of furniture, with gorgeous joints, that I can say to family and friends 'I made that'. I was a complete beginner just a few months ago and can now do dovetails, mortise and tenon mitres and much more. I also know I don't need loads of expensive tools to carry on. Well done Ciaran on yet again another fabulous course."

29 Nov 16'

Reg Crowther reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I have recently finished a ten week, one evening a week course making one of Ciaran's coffee tables in ash. I have learnt so much whilst making this table and would not hesitate in recommending his tuition. We normally started early and finished late, he didn't mind. During the course he was always willing to answer any questions relating to woodworking in general. I am in my mid eighties and have had no formal training, I have always enjoyed working with wood. I say it's never too late to have a go! Reg Crowther"