Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops reviews

Nicholas Palmer reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I have just finished my third carving course with Lucy (first time in York). I had just as great a time as my previous visits. Lucy is a marvellous teacher and person altogether. She is very encouraging and urged me to try something new, and because she did I got to use tools more effectively and came away with new skills. Her home is in a perfect area close to the centre of York so dinner is easy to find and Hotels very nearby. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t sign up."

Alison Davies reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I have just come back from a very stimulating course in Stone Carving with Lucy Churchill in York.I really enjoyed myself and came away feeling good about my work. Lucy is a great teacher with a lot of experience. She has very good tools all set out for each individual and she shows you exactly how each is used and what effect they have. I feel I have come away with skills that I can continue at home. She works with your ideas getting the best from each person as well as guiding you towards suitable subjects. The small classes were very good and Lucy was there at all times to help and advise. I shall certainly go again. Worth the long trip from Cambridge. Yes and the food was delicious! Alison Davies"

Sarah Roberts reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I would highly recommend this course to anyone at any level with an interest in stone, or in expanding their sense of 3D making. I am a visual artist with no experience of stone work and was daunted at the prospect of it despite its seductive properties. Lucy breaks things down so easily and guides you through each stage of the process in an interesting and involved way whilst allowing you to have a real go and sense of autonomy with your own project. There were two beginners and 1 client who had been to 1 other session on our course who was very proficient, and she tailored things to each of us so effectively. Lucy welcomed us into her studio, treated us like royalty with her amazing spreads and cakes [and she got vegan stuff especially for me - ❤️] and we had a great time toiling productively, gaining skills and having such interesting conversations around the workshops. Beyond this, the whole experience is geared toward equipping you to carry on after the 3 days. Lucy carefully worked with us to help us ascertain which tools worked for us, to ensure we had mastered some basics and confidence, so when you leave the mystery around where to start, what to buy and how to set up your own toolkit is gone. I think her advice will probably save potential stone carvers a fortune in itself. I would definitely recommend this, its rare to meet makers who can be so openly generous with their knowledge, contacts and time. Book now!"

Nancy Bainbridge reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I took time off work, booked an expensive apartment, planned a staycation around a 3 day course. Was cancelled less than a week notice, I lost my full £400 on my accommodation. No refund from Lucy towards it. Very very disappointed and out of pocket £400."

Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops responded:

"It was with great regret that due to acute personal circumstances it was necessary to cancel the course with 7 days notice. A full refund of your course payment has already been issued to you. With regard to the separate issue of your personal accommodation costs - this should be taken up with the Letting Agent or apartment owner. Alternatively contact your Insurance Provider to claim for the cancellation - I will be more than happy to provide you with a medical statement stating why I was forced to cancel the course. My offer of a 50% reduction on a future course stands as before. Once again, my sincerest regrets, Lucy"

Susan reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I came back across the Atlantic for my third course in May. The stone carving course continues to be an amazing experience, with a tremendous amount of learning balanced with wonderful food and camaraderie. Lucy is a gifted and patient teacher who brings out the best in all her students. She is there when needed, but encouraged independence and creativity. It is an incredibly fun way to spend three days!"

Alimi Adewale reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I was privileged to take Lucy's class in stone carving, to learn under someone with an early career in museums and restoration carving is a rare opportunity and you get to learn what they don't teach in art school, traditional stone masonry secrets and ideas. She gets you into it from day one, and you realise there is a carver in everyone. After the first day you just get it and the stone starts to yield because of the technical know-how she has instilled: understanding tools, tool techniques, tool sharpening and reading medieval stone signature. I travelled all the way from Africa for this class because this is the best UK stone carving class, and Lucy is always providing her students with amazing meals and unlimited teas. Gratitude for sharing lots of knowledge in stone carving."

James Seddon reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"The course is fantastic, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Lucy teaches you technical skills and then helps you nurture them while completing your own sculpture. It is the perfect way to learn. She is encouraging, funny and highly technically proficient. I was a beginner but was amazed at how much I could do and what I achieved. I enjoyed it so much I ordered my own tools before I even made it home. Lucy welcomes you into her home and is as attentive a host as she is talented as a teacher (the food was amazing). I had a fantastic time and left feeling good, enriched as a craftsman and enriched as an artist. Do it. (I drove four hours and it was worth it ten times over)."

LUKE ABBOTT reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"If we read the reviews from the past as well as from the most recent we see a pattern emerging....terrific camaraderie, very healthy well prepared menus, beverages whenever needed. All so skilfully done by Lucy in addition to the tutoring of us. The quality of the course is beyond excellent as we are in the hands of a person with the highest skills in masonry and stone carving. Lucy is able to bring the masons skills to the table of the carver and enable us to see the age old panorama of stone-craft belonging to our ancestors. The weekend in York was a sheer triumph because as an aspirational worker in stone, Lucy is able to keep me on the cutting edge of what I can do that is always in the growth mind set. Both Sandy and I believe the weekends to be such great value as the consistent quality of teaching and the learning climate were so highly tuned. What awaits us on the next course we are to attend in the autumn will depend on what we do in the meantime! Can't wait."

Sandy Frost reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I loved my 3 days sculpting with Lucy. She enabled me to follow my intuition and feeling about the stone and what began to emerge from it. But also could advice me practically on use of tools and technique when needed. This was my second time and I found it quickly came back to me and I was so obsessed! In between food and conversation flowed. Lucy's home based studio and garden were interesting, beautiful and inspirational. Thank you Lucy! We will definitely be back! Sandy."

Jonathan Pearsall reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"Second course with Lucy and I cannot imagine how it could be bettered. I am a reasonably competent stone carver but I learnt new techniques and improved on my existing skills. Lucy really knows her stuff and and is excellent at communicating it to you - a rare crafts person who can also teach! I brought home with me an almost finished piece and very importantly a great sense of satisfaction of achievement. A great 3 days!"

Dennis Newton reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I had always fancied having a go at stone carving so I was delighted that I received a course with Lucy for Christmas. Every aspect of the course was fantastic. Lucy is a first rate teacher, my course had three complete novices on it and by lunchtime on the first day we were all confidently working on our projects by the end of day three I felt like had been doing it for years. Lucy is always there hovering in the background advising and guiding but letting us do our own thing, the time flew by. I have no artistic talent whatsoever and after much deliberation I decided that I would make a birdbath. The full sized bath would have a large lump of stone so Lucy suggested I scale it down a bit but still practice all of the techniques for the full sized piece. My finished bath measures 440x200x125 (not that small). It sits in my garden with some grit and pebbles in it waiting for the local butterfly's to take a drink. I am extremely proud that I was able to create a thing of such beauty! I can't recommend Lucy's course highly enough."

Michelle Jarman reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"From the moment we arrived Lucy instantly made us feel welcome, which was lovely and then she carefully guided us through the three days sharing her experience & skills with us, whilst allowing us to find our way. I walked away with a little piece of happiness (albeit heavy...) and a huge smile from ear to ear! I am now thinking about my next project...!!"

Norman Rogers reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"The three day stone carving course was great and I highly recommend it. Lucy is a wonderful teacher. I learned a great deal and enjoyed the company of Lucy and the other carvers. Lunches were wonderful, with lovely food and lively and amusing chat. The three of us on the course were all novice carvers with very different project ideas which added to the interest. I can't wait to get stuck in to more carving at home!"

Denise Brown reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"A fantastic course with great tuition. Lucy is amazingly talented and über patient...I don’t know how many times I used the wrong mallet (sorry Lucy!). The time really flew and we got totally absorbed in our respective projects. The small group size means that you get to know each other very well, and I was lucky to have two such lovely workmates. Lucy creates a very relaxed environment and we ended up staying longer and longer to finish our pieces. She also understands the relentless hot beverage/cake requirements of novice stone carvers and the food was delicious. The course is very intensive and quite exhausting though, so expect to stagger back to your digs each night for a well earned sleep. I came home with Leopold the lion; two walloped fingers; and the commitment to have a go on my own - result! Needless to say, I would certainly recommend this course."

Kristen reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"This was a wonderful 3-day course, which was exhilarating and fascinating by turns. Lucy is an experienced stone carver and a brilliant teacher; her tuition was very hands-on, and while she taught us all we needed to know about different tools and carving methods, she was also keen to help us develop our own sense of independence when it came to believing in, and following through on our ideas. The small class size meant that we received guidance when needed, and that we developed a lovely rapport over the weekend: chat and moral support was in abundance as we worked our way through our respective blocks! Lucy was very flexible in her hours and let us work for an extra hour or two at the end of the day if we wanted to, and - most importantly - she knew exactly when tea and sustenance was needed. As many people have mentioned, the lunches and sweet treats Lucy provides are delectable - and a real pick-me-up during intensive carving sessions. I have begun to source tools and stone at home, and look forward to experimenting with carving in my own time. Lucy's course certainly gave me the confidence to move things forward on my own."

Martin Bourne reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"An excellent 3 days. I achieved much more than I had hoped for and the time just flew away so I must have been having fun. Lucy gave such clear instruction/ hands on tuition at the start that I felt I was able to quickly move on with confidence. I also appreciated how she gave both technical and aesthetic advice whilst still letting us make our own decisions in our creations. And as for the food... what can I say!"

Chris Adams reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"The course was excellent. I've never attempted stone carving before but having seen a lot of it going on in the York Minster Stoneyard I've wanted to experience it. This course fulfilled that ambition 110%. The experience of the three day course will certainly add to what I can say about the skills of the Stone Masons and Carvers when taking the visitors around the Minster and the Stoneyard. Additional to all that I created a piece of garden ornamentation, that while hardly Michelangelo, I quite proud of."

Felicity Johnson reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"Lucy is such inspirational teacher, I really loved every minute of learning how to stone carve from scratch. It was such a brilliant weekend where I learnt lots, laughed lots and ate lots! Really can’t recommend her highly enough."

Susan reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"The stone carving class is simply wonderful. Lucy is an amazing teacher and very talented artist. The three day course allows more than adequate time to learn how to stone carve and bring home a finished piece. It also provides the skills to carve independently, As another reviewer stated, time really flies by with perfect breaks filled with delicious food. I have attended two classes thus far and have signed up for another next year. Perhaps it is a testimony to how much I enjoy the class that I fly over the Atlantic from the States to attend!"

Miriam Wilkinson reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"As a complete beginner to stone carving I felt this 3 day course was long enough to teach me the basic skills and give me time to try them out. It was intensive and quite pressured if you wanted to complete a piece, which I kind of did. Lucy was encouraging and helpful if you needed her but also would stand back and let you get on with it and create something that was all your own. Felt a great feeling of achievement by the end."

SIMON DURANT reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"A great stone caving course, thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Lucy's creative tuition bought the best out in everyone. The lunches were excellent and completed a perfect long weekend. I will definitely re book again soon."

Stephanie Russell reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I can thoroughly recommend Lucy's courses. The initial tuition in the choice of the correct tools, the different carving techniques and the effects each can achieve gives confidence when you are a complete beginner. I was amazed at the progress it is possible to make in three days. I was totally engrossed in the carving process. Lucy is a fantastic and inspiring teacher with her vast knowledge and skill. I feel it is a privilege to be taught by Lucy and I've booked another course which I am really looking forward to. By the way, an added bonus: Lucy's lunches are delicious!"

Jim Harris reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I had never done any stone carving before - always wanted to have a go but never had the opportunity. Lucy's course was excellent! We started off with a practice session on the tools and shortly after, were carving away. Lucy keeps an eye your work but never intrudes - just pops up when you need her to guide you, or with useful suggestions when you are stuck. Oh, and the food is very good."

Nicholas Palmer reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"Lucy is one of the best teachers I have ever had, her knowledge/skill is impeccable, she is patient, kind, funny and extremely encouraging. What ever your skill level you’ll come away from the course with skills and know how to start your own work with confidence. Be prepared to be well fed with delicious food and treats throughout, I’m sure you’ll feel (as I did) you’ll want to sign up again by the end I can’t recomend it enough."

Sonya Wratten reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"A good experience but I felt the group I worked in was too small and I was a bit overwhelmed as a beginner with the short time in which to create a finished piece. Food was wonderful."