Dry Stone Walling Association - Wales Branch reviews

11 Sep 24'

Maureen Thomas reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"A wonderful experience - even the dire weather couldn't dampen our spirits. Very skilful and experienced teachers only too happy to impart their knowledge. They were so encouraging and inspiring, standing back to let us get our hands on the stones, but remaining close to offer advice and guidance. If you get the chance to go on this course, you won't be disappointed."

11 Sep 24'

Mark reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Despite the weather it was a great experience. Hard work, you will ache at the end of the day but you will have a new found respect for dry stone walls. Instructors were brilliant. Clear explanation as to why a task needs to be done a certain way. At the end of the course you will have made new friends."

11 Sep 24'

Julian reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Who knew you could have so much fun in the rain? We loved the course. Richard and Simon were excellent instructors, informative, encouraging and fun. The group dynamic worked really well, and we were all incredibly proud of our wall by Sunday afternoon. We have come away excited about repairing our walls, and confident in the basics of doing so."

9 Sep 24'

Lynne Allbutt reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Fabulous weekend. Informative, inspiring, encouraging - and refreshingly entertaining at times! A lovely group of fellow enthusiastic stone wallers and two brilliant instructors. I'll definitely be pursuing certification after this weekend. Thanks to instructors, Richard and Simon - and to the whole wet, muddy and cheerful group. Highly recommend."

9 Sep 24'

Kent Fyrth reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Very enjoyable course taught by Richard and Simon. Process explained and everyone encouraged to have a go and do what they could. Safety also emphasised. Came away with a good understanding of the basics and interested in exploring further, despite the rain and mud. "

9 Sep 24'

Michael reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Very informative and fun course. There is no pressure to do anything you don't want but plenty of opportunity to do everything you want. I left feeling prepared to start my own dry wall! Plus the instructors are funny and keep you entertained."

4 Sep 24'

Marie reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Gwrhyd, Pontardawe

"This was a fantastic 2 day course! I highly recommend signing up to a taster session and getting stuck in. Both instructors were friendly, patient and highly knowledgable. They provided an opportunity for everyone to get involved and were encouraging and supportive throughout. After completing the taster weekend, I'm looking forward to developing this skill further. It was a great 2 days with good company and a beautiful stonewall to admire afterwards! "

5 Jun 24'

Eirian reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Gwrhyd, Pontardawe

"Excellent course with great instructors. A beautiful part of the world, and we had the sun shining all weekend. David and Jamie were both very good at explaining each step and giving us the time to just pitch in and give it a go. An excellent weekend in excellent company."

4 Jun 24'

Tim Prior reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Gwrhyd, Pontardawe

"Both myself and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the course and would highly recommend. It was extremely informative, a pleasure to take part and really great to see the end result. Both Jamie and David were excellent instructors and good company throughout."

3 Jun 24'

Chris White reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Gwrhyd, Pontardawe

"Excellent 2 days. Covered more than just basics so good insight for me to tackle some walls at home. Easy to follow instructions. Very knowledgeable instructors. Relaxed tuition. Interesting to the point I'd like to learn more."

20 May 24'

Amanda reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Abergavenny

"An excellent weekend spent learning how to dismantle and build a dry stone wall in situ. All hands on learning with incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic tutors who not only teach you the ideal but the realistic. Very enjoyable. Many thanks to all involved. I am now eyeing up all the stone walls I come across with a new appreciation and hoping to find some in disrepair that I'll be allowed to practice my new found knowledge on! "

15 May 24'

Phil Jones reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Abergavenny

"A brilliant course on a beautiful setting. I learnt so much, got a fantastic understanding as to the science and art of drystone walling and met some lovely people. Will definitely use my new-learnt skills to good use. Thank you to all the instructors and volunteers for being so welcoming, generous and informative and for giving the best experience. "

14 May 24'

Chris reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Abergavenny

"Beautiful countryside views, good weather, nice bunch of fellow wallers and four very good, knowledgeable tutors. Instruction was clear and easy to follow. Well planned day with refreshment breaks and Ginger Cake to die for! Hard physical work, but very satisfying. I think we all learned a lot and were very pleased to see the final result of our combined efforts. Thank you very much for an excellent weekend. "

13 May 24'

Claire B reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Abergavenny

"Great course to get a practical introduction to dry stone walling. Run by a well organised and enthusiastic team. "

11 Apr 24'

CHRIS. W reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Spring - Vale of Glamorgan

"Great introduction to dry stone walling. A lot of knowledge on offer, allowing you to take away a lot of information in two days. Looking forward to learning more, as they run more courses over the summer with different stone."

6 Sep 23'

Rachel reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Fantastic weekend with excellent instructors who were very knowledgeable about the process of building a stone wall and who were also very patient. The fabulous scenery and beautiful weather also added to an experience I would thoroughly recommend. "

6 Sep 23'

Kerry P reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"A really valuable and enjoyable weekend. Great training facilitated by David, Jamie, Simon & John which has further inspired me to go for dry stone walling as my new career. "

5 Sep 23'

Andrew reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"An excellent course, with plenty of instruction and support from the trainers but also a full hands-on experience, with minimum time spent on 'classroom' learning. This was exactly what I wanted - a practical and active day learning a new skill and in the fresh air and space of a spectacular location. I'd recommend this course to anyone who has a dry stone walling project they want to tackle at home, who wants to get involved with an organisation and longer term projects, or anyone who just wants to get outside, get some exercise and have a tangible product to admire at the end of the weekend."

4 Sep 23'

Carl Bennett reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Abergavenny

""Length is strength" & "Harting is height" with "Lift the line " are several of many sayings that made the weekend. Good team members, all characters in their own right and especially the two "ambassador's of stone" Jamie and Dave. What can be said of these two. Made our weekend more enjoyable (plus the weather helped a bit!!). Almost thinking of going again Mmm! Honestly really good !!"

4 Sep 23'

Tracy Carter reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Very enjoyable course. Beautiful location and friendly, knowledgeable Instructors. Was feeling a bit awkward initially but soon got over this with some good support. Came away dirty and tired but with the pleasure of having completed a task and learnt some new skills. "

3 Sep 23'

Gareth Taylor reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Really enjoyed this course. The instructors are excellent communicators. They're hands off enough to let you practice away at the wall, while remaining close enough to give advice and and tips throughout. Being able to really get into the construction of the wall in smaller teams also helped. Came away with a real motivation to do more, and have since signed up as a member. Look forward to more weekends doing similar. Diolch"

5 Apr 23'

Chris reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Spring - Vale of Glamorgan

"A great course, where I learnt a lot over the weekend. Very good instruction and no question was too trivial, a brilliant introductory course."