Mark Hancock reviews

8 Oct 15'

Phil Godfrey reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark was very helpful with my tuition, and very patient with my efforts. Whilst I could turn before my lesson, I badly needed to have a refresher. He also taught me many tips and "tricks" that should, with practice,help me to become a better turner. thanks Mark"

9 Sep 15'

karen baldwin reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"For me as a complete novice, I felt the course was informative, relaxed and friendly. Not at any time during the day did I feel that I was not capable of having a go at any of the techniques I was shown. Marks communication skills and knowledge were admirable, and this was only topped by his patience. The notes given to take away with you at the end of the day was also a handy reminder. I would recommend Mark's course to beginners or more experienced alike."

1 Sep 15'

Kimberley Harris reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I haven't done any woodturning since I left school over 40 years ago.A few months ago I brought a big lathe and a few bits to go with it and started tryed making things but did not have the skill to finnish anyone of them.He looked at the tools that I had taken.he showed me the error of my waysand put me back on the right track. I stayed for three days the first day was just recaping what I had learn at school. Day two and three I made a vase and a bowl. I went at the pace that I was happy and if there was anything that I did not understand he was patient until understood. nothing was too much trouble. I started like a complete beginner but soon I was making the wood sing and I was at ease I am planning to go back as soon as I can to get more tips and cost saving ideas"

1 Sep 15'

Dennis Chin Aleong reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I am a woodworker from Trinidad, wi and while on holidays in the uk. I visited Mark for 2 days in august at his Pershore workshop. I started off woodturning by researching lathes, buying the biggest one could afford, watching you tube videos and started turning - bowls and now pens. The course was tailored to my needs - turning tools - what to acquire and not to buy, bowl turning, vessel hollowing, sharpening, finishing and anything that came up. It was a learning experience for me where I had to learn correct tool techniques and practices , Mark had patience , good communication and turning demonstrations as any good teacher. His notes and email advice would be of great help to me. Great two days..."

20 Aug 15'

Peter J Moss reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I spent an excellent and very worthwhile day with Mark at his Pershore workshop. Having recently acquired a lathe, I needed instruction in all basic techniques. Mark is an excellent teacher - patient and thorough. The amount of information is considerable but the comprehensive course notes will be invaluable. Having done this 'crammer' course I feel a second day would be be very useful to hammer home (for me anyway) some of the primary tool handling techniques. I will be back to Mark in the near future."

20 Aug 15'

Ann Kennedy reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"The other reviews say it all! My husband and I spent a day and a half with Mark and had a great time coming away very proud of the bowls we had produced. Before the day I was a bit worried that this was a 'boy's' hobby and that I wouldn't have the strength needed but I was wrong. Mark is a very patient, thorough teacher who gives fantastic value for money - the day contained so much more than a standard training day."

18 Jul 15'

George Turner reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Having attended a one day taster course with Mark as the instructor I thought my enjoyed myself .Mark is a very good teacher and made the course very interesting so interesting in fact that I intend to upgrade the skills I learnt with mark in the near future after I have put into practice all that Mark taught me. I must say that it was so interesting that time tended to slip away and I think I overstayed my welcome.All in all it proved to be a very interesting day and I left the workshop wanting more I would highly reccomend Mark Hancock to anybody who is interested in turning wood into something beautiful."

30 Jun 15'

Paul Dowlman reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Having thought about wood turning for some time decided the best way to go about it was to go on a course before spending money on equipment. It was worth every penny for a full day with Mark it was a very informative and well run day with Mark giving so much information it was a job to absorb it all and I now have a good idea of what to buy and what not to buy and Mark is at the end of the phone if ever you need him."

25 Jun 15'

Dave Swanson reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Like others, I was given the day as a present after recently buying my first lathe. Also like others, I hadn't stood in front of a lathe in 40 years so had much to learn. Mark's approach to finding out what I wanted to achieve was a great way of ensuring I came away satisfied. In nine hours together, Mark covered a vast range of aspects of wood turning and provide me with opportunity to get plenty of hands on experience, practicing both spindle and bowl techniques as well as learning about tools and how to sharpen them properly. Mark has also offered phone and email support and advice for the future as I take forward what I hope will become an interesting and productive hobby. Strongly recommended course."

15 Jun 15'

Chris Farrow reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark was recommended to me as both an excellent turner and a very experienced teacher. He didn't disappoint. He was very careful to ensure he understood what I wanted from the day and we spent some time looking through some of turnings to better understand what I was doing right and where I was going wrong. His explanations and demonstrations were very clear whilst ensuring I spent a lot of practical time actually turning. It was certainly a very useful and inspiring day. I am sure I'll be back for more before too long."

26 May 15'

Paul Bloxham reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"My wife bought me a day with Mark as a present. I bought a lathe six months ago but having last operated one at school 40+ years ago I had neither the confidence or the knowledge with which to use it! Have to say I cannot believe how much Mark taught me in a day. In a structured way he covered all areas in the right level of detail for me and in a style that was easy to relate to. Mark's workshop is well equipped and importantly there was plenty of hands on use of the lathe as well as tool sharpening and finishing. Throughout the the day there was a lot's of practical and money saving tips which are so important to the beginner. Overall I had a great day and went away having learnt far more than I expected to. Also having gained in confidence and with some of Mark's enthusiasm having rubbed off. Would definitely recommend Mark and hope to be back for more!"

14 May 15'

WILLIAM DAVIS reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Without a doubt, Mark is an excellent teacher. I attended a day course, done on a one to one basis, before embarking on buying my own lathe. So glad I did so, as there are so many features to look for, in both the lathe and the tools for the job. His patience and style makes him a perfect teacher, and I know from other sources his skills are remarkable. I would therefore recommend him for any level of teaching, especially to avoid developing bad habits in the art. His workshop is extensive, and with a central location, it is well worth at least one full day, but ideally longer!"

29 Apr 15'

Michael Stuart reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark's teaching was patient and thorough, covering all aspects of woodturning, both theoretical and practical. By the middle of the second day, we students were well on the way to completing the first of several bowls of ash, acacia and sycamore. All of us were surprised at how much we learned, and how quickly we advanced from complete beginners to being able to complete a bowl to be proud of by the end of the course. Mark's teaching style is generous and sympathetic. He shared his encyclopedic knowledge and supported us continuously through the course, no matter how many mistakes we made or how many faults were only too apparent in our beginners' bowls. I will certainly try to return for another of Mark's courses."

27 Apr 15'

Robin Mellows reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Went on the Course with Mark as a complete beginner. Had thorough explanation of where to start and of all the equipment I would need if I were to want to continue - including lathes, gouges, sharpening tools and wood finishes. Mark helped me to make my first (four!) bowls with great patience. I shall be going back for more!"

27 Apr 15'

Ad Lindeman reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"As a tutor,teacher my self in fine woodworking furniture in Amsterdam I learned a lot from Mark in approaching people or students. Mark is so patient in explaining even if the subject is simple or quiet difficult.Step by step it is explained to understand. Mark's approach to wood was for me an eye opener, f.e. cross-grain and parallel-grain turning, a great thought! Mark learned me a lot of skills in turning the wood, so much that I now can learn it my students at HMC Amsterdam (f.e turning on the guillotine angle, great!) Also sharpening all gouges with their different angles was an nice effort to learn. This 4 days short course of green wood turning was for too short, I long to next year's following up course. Ad Lindeman, Holland"

8 Apr 15'

Jonathan Dollin reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I wanted to start off in woodturning with good habits and the confidence to use basic tools correctly and Mark's course seemed just the thing. This was a good decision. He is a very good and patient teacher and a good communicator so that I had no difficulty in understanding the concepts that needed to be explained. The approach was structured, but friendly and informal, so that in one day we covered the use of the basic tools, the lathe and the different chucks, how to sharpen tools correctly, various spindle turning techniques, the characteristics of wood and how to make a bowl. The last turned out surprisingly well, thanks to Mark's supervision, in spite of my ineptness risking disaster at various points and I came away with a nice bowl. I also learned a lot about the equipment that is advertised and am now in a much better position to buy wisely and avoid expensive mistakes. It was a very enjoyable day. Mark's tuition will also be useful I think, once I have becomes more proficient and want to improve on my skills."

24 Mar 15'

Ian Williams reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"found Marks via his website, which looked good. went for a day course. great set up with loads of lathes, tools etc. Mark was very open minded and was very happy to tailor the course to what i wanted. good teacher and good at explaining how todo things. He has a very good knowledge of wood and turning, relaxed atmosphere, good to bounce ideas off. great day out, thoroughly enjoyed it. will be back."

24 Feb 15'

Roger Cann reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"My wife bought me a two-day woodturning course with Mark for my 60th. The two days were the most interesting I have spent for a long time. Marks tuition is thorough and he doesn't do 'second-best'. His attention to detail is such that you really get the feeling of actually learning something. His tips and tricks were great too. Now to put it all into practice! Thanks Mark for a most enjoyable two days..."

19 Feb 15'

Maurice Richards reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"As a beginner I needed to learn as much as I could about wood turning before I went into unnecessary expense, I looked around for evening classes and found Warwick College was doing evenings. Mark Hancock was teaching there, because I have retired and looking for a hobby in woodturning, I decided to speak to Mark regarding the course. After our chat I felt reassured it was the right course and Mark was the ideal tutor, as he made me feel comfortable with 25yrs professional experience behind him. When I arrived at the College with five other new beginners, he made us all very welcome, and easy to get along with we soon got into our work, explaining health and safety and the type of work we was going to do. We all liked his approach and he taught us well, some made a bowl and others made table lamps. I have been to some of his demonstrations which he does around the country and abroad showing his professional and impressive skills. He has a work shop at Pershore where he also does courses on a one to one or more, I have visited him for advice which I appreciate very much, and if I needed to advance on my work I would not hesitate to do a course at his work shop, knowing I would come away a better turner. MOSS Stratford upon Avon"

11 Feb 15'

Wolfgang Schulze-Zachau reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark had given a demonstration at the Black Country Wood Turners in October 2014, and I liked his style, and his approach to the subject: There are no fixed rules. If it works, it’s good, and if it doesn’t, it’s not. He’s been a professional turner for 25 years, and he is very much in the artistic camp. So when I looked for a tutor, he was an immediate choice. When I turned up at his shop in Pershore, it was the coldest day of the winter so far, but he already had a nice fire going in his woodburner (that’s handy with all the scrap bits). We had an absolutely marvellous day. As it turns out, we are the same age, with similar views on lots of things, and obviously he has a wealth of experience, which he shares freely. And he is a good teacher. I only walked away with a small bowl (thin walled, from hard walnut), but I picked up so much advice and guidance. Worth every penny, and I’ll probably be back for more."