Lakeland Cabinet Makers reviews

28 Oct 20'

Stoddart reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark is a great tutor and woodworker. I not only made a beautiful box but learnt a lot of woodworking tips not related to boxes. A great two days."

27 Oct 20'

Jon Hart reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Complete novice with regards to using a router but as I was determined to start using it regularly in the coming year I found this course and was not disappointed =. Mark was an excellent instructor, very patient and overflowing with knowledge and useful hints and tips. The day met my expectations and having walked in with no knowledge of holding a new router, I walked out confident in undertaking work at home with no risk of injuring myself! Very pleased and can thoroughly recommend."

21 Oct 20'

Ben Carr reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Been on this course and wow it was excellent, loved every min off it and got confidence using the router safely and properly, the teacher (Mark Farrelly) was excellent as well and a good laugh so it wasn't boring. Free cup of coffee and tea which good too, would highly recommend this Course. I hope to join on another course with the lakeland cabinet makers."

24 Sep 20'

Jeff reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I attended the course looking for two outcomes: improve my limited woodworking skills and have a box to take home. Both were achieved. The box designs allowed a lot of creativity and personalisation and this along with the knowledgeable support of the tutor made for a great course. I picked up a lot of useful tips in a very relaxed environment. I would really recommend this course; enjoyable and full of help and support."

14 Sep 20'

John Logan reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Booked the course to improve my woodworking knowledge and skills. The course was excellent, I learned such a lot with the added bonus of a beautiful box to take home. The course was well organised and felt very safe. Mark was superb and I will be booking more courses!"

13 Sep 20'

Mark Gregory reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Really enjoyable course, learning the basics of using a router. No previous knowledge needed as you are stepped through the processes, not only of a hand held router but the use of a router table as well. Mark knows his stuff and delivers the course to suit his audience. He listens to them to find out what they want to get out of the course and adapts to cover all their needs. The experience has given me the confidence to get on with my own projects. Definitely recommend this course."

7 Sep 20'

Doug B reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I had been looking forward to this course for a while but work and then Covid-19 got in the way so thank you to Mark for putting on some additional courses to cover the backlog of cancellations. This is a justifiably popular course. Mark’s excellent teaching and patience caters for all abilities, from absolute beginner to experienced woodworkers, and everyone will come away with a fully finished box to be proud of. Mark will let you choose from a variety of different box styles and woods, allowing you to make a unique box. Mark will then introduce hand tool techniques covering measuring, sawing, chiselling, planing and scraping and then let you progress to using workshop machines. All fully monitored and in complete safety. Progress is surprisingly swift (even for those making dovetails by hand!), and the basics of your box will be complete by the end of a very satisfying first day. Day 2 is really all about finishing and again Mark will demonstrate the techniques and materials to use to really make your box stand out. If you have any doubts about booking this course then just do it - you really will enjoy it and have a wonderful hand-made box to show off to your family and friends at the end of it. Thank you Mark for an excellent weekend!"

31 Aug 20'

Jo Moore reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Great course. I love wood and have wanted to learn more about working with it for a long time. I booked for myself, a 40-something year old woman a little bit scared of power tools, and my 17 year old nephew, who, having just finished his first (somewhat disrupted) first year of joinery at college, already has more experience than me. We both got a huge amount out of the weekend and came out with new skills, more confidence and a beautiful wooden box each. This is a relaxed course with plenty of time to finish the project without feeling rushed. The different methods offered for making the boxes meant that the 4 students came out with 4 very different boxes and there was enough time to learn by observing demonstrations of all the alternative techniques being used. A very satisfying and highly recommended weekend."

30 Aug 20'

Andu Atkins reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I've just come home from this course after 2 fabulous days. Covid pushed the course back by 6 months, but it was well worth the wait. Mark has all the right controls in place and, if you chose to, you could spend the entire 2 days in high level PPE with a very low risk. The course would suit anyone, from an experienced home woodworker to a complete novice (I'm closer to the latter, but there more experienced people on the course) as there's lots worth learning and the results are very professional."

30 Aug 20'

Stephen Arkwright reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a fantastic few days, Mark was so calm and helped us through all of the steps, clear instructions and demonstrations, so you always knew what you where doing. Many different options and combinations of the box to choose from, the wood, the shape, the lid, so no one is making the same box. Even more impressed that Mark was always on hand just in case any doubts crept in, he would set every one off doing a task but always new where to look for anyone that needed help. From start to finish was an excellent course, not just the box making but also loads of tips and discussions on tools in general, even threw in a demonstration on sharpening chisels, plane blades and scraper blades. Cannot recommend this course any higher than by saying I will be booking another course very soon."

20 Aug 20'

John reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a great weekend! After a lack of normal social activities for months due to the Covid-19 lockdown, it was challenge to attend an indoor practical course that required close supervision. However, excellent attention was given to ensure safety in the workshop, with all appropriate PPE provided, and I would have no hesitation whatsoever in returning for another course. Mark was an outstanding teacher with a clear precise style of communication and very good-humoured patience (which was certainly needed for me!). His practical demonstrations were like watching a surgeon at work, amazing. We learned lots of little tips that make all the difference and everyone completed a box with their own choice of woods and design. If you are looking for an interesting workshop that delivers, then this is certainly it - very highly recommended! Thanks again Mark."

16 Aug 20'

Kate reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a fantastic course! With an abundance of ppe and measures in place to keep us safe in the time of COVID-19, each of the four participants was able to learn the woodworking skills required and put them into practice to create a truly beautiful box. With his expertise and a wealth of patience from Mark, each step of the process was clearly explained before we were let loose in his well-equipped workshop. For a well-spent and rewarding weekend in the beautiful surrounds of Cumbria, I wholeheartedly recommend this course."

3 Mar 20'

David Little reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I came to this course wanting to learn how to make a nice wooden box, having never attempted anything like this before nor the knowledge to do it. By the end of the two days I'm very happy to say I managed to make a nice box, I picked up new crafting skills and an abundance of woodworking knowledge. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this course to anyone who is willing to pick up some tools and be taught how to use them to create an item you will be very proud of. A special mention to craftsmen Mark and Richard for their patience and encouragement. It was a very enjoyable and worthwhile two days."

24 Feb 20'

Keith Hutchinson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"What a fantastic weekend, excellent tutors and a friendly environment. Mark and Richard provided friendly advice and guidance at a pace that we could all absorb. Explaining and demonstrating the key points clearly and with patience. Four students all with various levels of ability all came away with hand made boxes that would not of been out of place in a shop window. Will definitely be looking at more courses with them. Thank you."

23 Feb 20'

Malcolm Donnelly reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I have no criticism. I am a complete novice having sat behind a desk my whole life, and I was apprehensive that I would make a fool of myself with the simplest task, even measuring. I needn’t have worried. Mark and Richard were supportive, encouraging, practical and expert in every respect and I managed things I never dreamed I’d be able to do, under their friendly supervision. To cap it all I have a beautiful box to prove that it really happened! I thoroughly recommend this course. If you have half the fun I’ve had you will be very happy indeed."

26 Jan 20'

Kev Leho reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is an absolutely brilliant course. The workshop and setting is fantastic with quick access to the M6. There were plenty of tips from both Mark and Richard which come from years of experience and great advice on selecting the right tools and how to use them. I personally found it useful that they covered some of the more basic tool handling techniques. Both Mark and Richard were great tutors, very approachable, and on hand for any questions and advice. I found the ratio of 1 tutor to 2 pupils ideal as it helps you to cover a lot over the 2 days and they are on hand to spot any errors that you may be about to make. You end this course with a beautiful box which honestly looks professionally made. I highly recommend this course."

21 Jan 20'

Malcolm Simms reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I took away from this course so much more than a beautiful box (with which my wife is as thrilled as I am). Lots of technical tips, insights into tools, methods and materials of which I would otherwise have remained ignorant and an ambition (and hopefully ability) to continue to improve the design and execution of my artefacts. Both the setting and the workshop are inspirational and Richard and Mark are genial and empathetic tutors who always appear relaxed but have an uncanny ability to spot an error before it is committed."

20 Jan 20'

Paul Bolton reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Mark and Richard offer a range of woodworking courses from their shop and workshop on the outskirts of Penrith in the Northern Lake District. It is very easy to access being close to the M6 Penrith turn-off and is set in beautiful scenery. I attended the box-making weekend in January with 3 other like-minded students. We were first introduced to the sample pieces on offer in the shop to give us inspiration into the endless possibilities of wood and style on offer. Having been shown how to go about it, the class then proceeded to construct simple oak jewellery / trinket boxes with either mitre or dove-tail machined joints. We were given access to the wood store to select the timber for the lid which is where you can let your imagination run away with you. I chose a beautiful piece of curly mahogany and some burr oak for the lip of the lid to contrast with the oak box .Having fitted the lid we then applied a superb (secret recipe) sealer and wax before lining the base of the interior with suede. I have to say I am very pleased with the result and now have a ready -made Valentine's present for my wife! Mark and Richard offer expert tuition in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere , and I can thoroughly recommend this course to any one with an interest in creative woodworking."

22 Dec 19'

Chris Roberts reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Great course. A very interesting day that has given me greater confidence to use my router, and to understand not only its potential but also its limitations. We also learned the advantages and disadvantages of different types of routers and different techniques through demonstration and hands-on experience. An added bonus was some excellent tips on care of hand tools."

14 Dec 19'

Michael Bidny reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"A very worthwhile course which was " hands on ". I started to understand just how versatile my router could become, and with Mark's guidance a completely new world was opening up. Thank you Mark. Would I recommend this course to others - Yes. Would I attend any further courses ? - Absolutely yes 5 Stars."

11 Dec 19'

Steve Johnson reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This is a course I can thoroughly recommend to individuals of all abilities who want to try their hand at box making and come away after two days with a box they can be proud of. There is no default box that everyone on the course makes, within reason (there are some superb boxes in the showroom) you are able to choose joining method for the sides, lid hingeing techniques, different woods for the lid, whether to line the box or not. There were four of us on the course and all the boxes had our own individual styles evident when we had finished. A ratio of pupil to teacher of 2:1 meant that Mark and Richard were always available to offer advice and demonstrate the next stage of your particular box and nothing was rushed. Even if you don't intend to take up woodworking you can spend two days having fun in great company, learn new skills and leave with a beautiful box."

8 Dec 19'

Carol Hughes reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"This Box Making course was a great treat. I have never done anything before which would count as woodwork. However, even as a complete novice I was encouraged through every stage and by the end of the 2 days had made a beautiful and unique box. There were 4 students with Mark and Richard as teachers. Whilst we started with making a basic oak box, we all asserted our individual styles in choosing the wood for the lids, whether it should be a mitre or a dovetail joint, what type of hinge would best suit and whether a lining for the inside would enhance the final box. We progressed at our own pace, but never felt rushed. There seemed plenty of time to ask questions and to be shown how to do things or solve a problem. There were breaks for coffee and lunch. If you are looking to try something new or different I would highly recommend this course."

3 Nov 19'

Kate B reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"A fabulous two day course, with a great product to take home. The tutors Mark and Richard were so talented and knowledgeable. They had endless patience, providing just the right level of support, whilst allowing us the freedom to learn, try things out and make design decisions. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, enabling us all to work and make decisions at our own pace. Everyone in the group used different woods for the lids and slightly different designs, which made it really interesting. I have learned so much about types of wood, machinery and tools. It's a fabulous environment - both the workshop and location, and I would thoroughly recommend the course. Thank you."

22 Oct 19'

Johanna reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I cannot recommend this course enough. I am a serial crafter/learner but I have never done anything as brilliant as this. My partner and I are total novices and were both excited and apprehensive about the course, having not done any woodwork since our school days. Richard and Mark completely put us at ease and were so patient and supportive throughout the course. I can't believe how much I learnt and it has certainly given us both the bug to do more. The boxes we made are so beautiful and unique. Absolutely loved it, no better way to spend a weekend!"

7 Oct 19'

Sue Bloxham reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"I ended up having this course on a one to one basis which was excellent as I was able to go at exactly the right pace and take into account what I already knew. Mark helped me use and assess my own router and the bits I had been given. We covered and practised all the various techniques and he shared lots of useful tips, waiting for me to make copious notes for later reference. I highly recommend it."