Phil Parkes Maille reviews

23 Oct 24'

MF reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"I had a great day on this course. Phil covered a lot of information about a very wide subject in a relaxed and interesting way. Making the maille was great fun with plenty of help all the way through if needed. Very hospitabe and highly recommended. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed the hands-on making the maille. It's addictive once you start!"

18 Oct 24'

Nicholls family of 2 reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Wonderful experience! Very friendly. Thoroughly enjoyed! Lots of knowledge gained too!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Glad to hear you enjoyed it, looking forward to seeing what you make!"

16 Jun 24'

Philip Slough reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Had a great day despite little knowledge on the subject. Phil talked through the history of maille and showed us some original artefacts and talked through the different styles and techniques, as well as how maille evolved throughout the centuries from Celtic culture. We then were given the opportunity to make our own maille rings under his guidance in a workshop which included a lesson in metallurgy and different tools/techniques. We then had a go at making a piece of maille which was much harder than I imagined. With guidance and a bit of help I managed to make a small piece of chain maille. Phil is very knowledgeable on the entire subject as well as the practical application, which meant the structure of the day and learning tools were professional with the historical background explained. The whole experience was very welcoming and even when I struggled with some aspects, was given support by Phil to get through the different stages. Would highly recommend the experience, including total novices such as myself. I was really impressed and a great way to spend some of Fathers Day. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review Phil and you made a great maille keyring to take away. Glad to hear it made a great Father's Day."

16 Jun 24'

Emma reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"What a fab day! Phil is knowledgeable and passionate about the subject of maille. We started with some background information and had plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Then we went into the well-equipped workshop and made our own rings from scratch using a range of tools. After a lovely, sociable lunch break we then made our own pieces of maille by joining and riveting rings together. Not as easy as it looks, but so satisfying to achieve! We had a nice little goodie bag of our makes to take home at the end of the session. I would recommend this class to history buffs, craft fans, and anybody who fancies doing something a little bit different. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Emma, it was great to have the lovely weather to sit in the garden for lunch. Glad to hear you enjoyed the course so much."

16 May 24'

Maria Kimak reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Phil is a knowledgeable and patient teacher and the course is super engaging and fun! It was so great to get a general overview of the history of chain maille and go on to learn the process from beginning to end, ultimately putting together our own small chain maille piece. Phil and his family were incredibly welcoming and I highly recommend this course, especially to anyone with an interest in historic crafts, metalworking or historical re-enactment. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Maria, glad you enjoyed the course and thanks for all the interesting questions throughout the day!"

20 Apr 24'

Ieuan & Bryn reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Both myself and my brother had the pleasure of attending one of Phil’s courses last week. Couldn’t have had a better time! A great day that started with some history, and expert knowledge from Phil with some amazing examples and finished pieces of maille that we got to handle and even try on! Then it was time to get hands on and boy we really got stuck in learning the whole process from drawing the wire through to drifting and riveting our own rings. Throughout the day it felt both relaxed and fun with conversation flowing between the group, Phil and his partner who made sure we all felt welcome. I’d absolutely recommend this course to anyone with an interest in maille."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Glad to hear that you both enjoyed it so much and looking forward to seeing how you get on with making your own maille at home. Always here for advice on tools and hints and tips! I'm thinking through what might be included in an advanced course as we discussed on the day, so keep an eye out for future courses. Thanks for the positive feedback."

18 Apr 24'

Ade reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Phil is very knowledgeable. The history and development of chain maille was superbly explained. Taking you through the process of creating the individual links and riveting, and then onto actually making the maille was really well explained . Phil was at hand at all stages to offer advice and help. I hope there's an advance course."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Ade, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback about an 'advanced' course, I'm looking at what that might involve as a few people have been suggesting it. Maybe see you again in the future!"

14 Feb 24'

Eric Nordgren reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"The introductory Maille making course with Phil was great! Well paced, so we had time to learn about the history of this craft, looking at both historical and modern examples, then into the workshop where we got to learn the basics of each stage of the process. Would highly recommend!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review, glad that you enjoyed the course. "

31 Jan 24'

Sean Robinson reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Phil is both deeply knowledgeable and expert in his tuition. We had an amazing day learning about the history and construction of chain mail in his workshop. As an experience day, it was outstanding, and would strongly recommend it. Great value, too."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Sean, great to work with you and your friends and glad you enjoyed it. Hope you get to carry on making a bit of mail in your own workshop some time."

14 Jan 24'

Joe Flitton reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Just had a great day making mail with Phil! Didn't know what to expect but Phil had a great balance of being knowledgeable, helpful and fun with some great training skills! The session talked us through the history, gave us a go at making rings, riveting and finally putting together some chain mail. I really feared it was going to be frustrating, but Phil kept us going through advice, support and good humour! Highly recommended for people interested in trying out a rare craft skill, or anyone who is a bit of a history nerd! "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review Joe, was great to meet you and your friends, thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and laughs throughout the day."

11 Dec 23'

Catrin Davies reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"I didn't attend this workshop but gave places to my son and niece as part of their Christmas presents... I can just tell you that enthusiasm oozed from them when we met later! I think Phil must be very skilled at imparting his deep knowledge of the subject while also teaching practical skills. They both loved handling the medieval examples in Phil's collection. Loved everything about this workshop! I am so grateful that my gift was SUCH a glorious success. Thank you Phil."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Glad to hear they enjoyed the course, and I'm happy that they enjoyed the present. It was lovely to meet them both."

11 Dec 23'

Rob J reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"A great day, with an excellent craftsman and teacher. A nice mix of discussion of the history of mail, the chance to handle some medieval examples, and then to get hands on with the whole process from start to finish. A relaxed atmosphere, and a warm welcome made this a really lovely day."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review Rob. It was great to have your perspective as someone who researches and wears mail to add to the discussion. Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully you learned enough for making repairs / tweaks to your armour."

10 Nov 23'

Laura reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Absolutely brilliant! It was a group of 6 doing this for a friends birthday. Phil is a kind and patient teacher, he answered all questions and curiosities we had, explained the process and history of it well. I certainly recommend it to any that are curious. In our group we had a range of abilities and experience when it came to making things and by the end of the day, all of us had a patch of chain and a bag of the links we had made to take home with us."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thank you for the review and glad you all enjoyed it. I've enjoyed seeing the posts about the day on other social media."

24 Oct 23'

Paula Ibberson-Groves reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"An amazing day. Well planned and timed enabling us all to complete the tasks without pressure. Phil has immense knowledge that enabled us to understand the historical aspects and construction through time. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Paula, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It was great to meet you both."

13 Sep 23'

Elizabeth Champion reviewed: Wooden Maille Construction Kit

"This kit has been vital to my understanding of maille. If you are even considering starting maille, get this kit. It helps one understand the patterns required to begin making maille, which is one of the key components to this craft. Therefore, it is a good way to gauge one's interest in continuing the craft before spending large sums on tools. I would recommend this to everyone; it is a piece of kit I find myself returning to again and again to try out new patterns before committing to making them in maille, and are of an easily manipulatable size for those that might struggle with anything small and fiddly. Not only this, but Phil himself is a fountain of knowledge and is very helpful when it comes to any further questions or concerns about this kit."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review. It's great to hear that the kit continues to be useful even as you get more experienced in your maille making."

5 Jun 23'

Katie Wainwright reviewed: School Maille Making Workshops

"Phil came in to facilitate a series of chainmaille workshops with a group of our Year 5 and 6 pupils. We were impressed by the interactive nature of the sessions and the way he linked the practical tasks with the Welsh Humanities AoLE. Pupil engagement was outstanding, including some pupils with ALN or behavioural difficulties. As a result of pupil feedback at the close of the course, we've asked Phil to return next academic year to work with our next cohort of pupils. We'd highly recommend the sessions to other schools looking to enhance their provision of Science and Tech D&T and Humanities Welsh history 'what matters' statements."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thank you so much Katie, I loved teaching the kids and it was great to see them really engaging with the making, and doing a great job at it. I'm looking forward to coming along next year!"

22 May 23'

Sorcha reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Extremely thorough instruction in all aspects of beginner maillemaking. Phil is an excellent teacher and very very patient. Even if you come to this course with absolutely zero prior knowledge and limited aptitude for other weaving-based crafts (like me), you will come away with a strong sense of the basics. For Reenactors or history geeks, it's worth the price for the opening lecture on different styles of European maille alone. Would recommend to anyone. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Sorcha, glad you enjoyed it and to hear that the 'theory' bit was useful too."

10 May 23'

Richard Melhuish reviewed: Group Maille Making Workshop

"Phil is very knowledgeable and a great communicator, the history of maille making was fascinating. I can heartily recommendation this course. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Richard, it was a pleasure running this course with the group."

5 May 23'

Kim H reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"This course was so much fun! I wasn't sure what to expect, but Phil was a fountain of knowledge and experience that he was more than happy to share. He guided us through the process of making maille, from the very first steps of pulling the wire and making the rings to the later steps of weaving a panel of maille. He also taught us about some of the history of maille and how it was made in different periods, and we got to see some historical examples. Phil was really friendly and happy to answer all of our questions, even showing us how to repair our own maille armour for the future. The hours flew by. Highly recommended whether you're a reenactor, LARPer, cosplayer, historian, archaeologist, or somebody just interested in giving a new craft a try. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Kim. Hopefully the maille repair will come in handy and glad to hear you enjoyed the day."

5 May 23'

Martin reviewed: Group Maille Making Workshop

"Brilliant "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Martin, glad you enjoyed it. "

24 Apr 23'

Leonie reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Going in with little to no knowledge of maille I came away with a great foundational understanding of the different types of maille, and how to make maille from the very beginning of the process to the end. Phil is an excellent tutor with a vast knowledge and patience to help any beginner on their journey with maille making! A really enjoyable and insightful course with Phil, I would definitely recommend this course!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Leonie, good to hear you enjoyed it and thanks for the recommendation!"

24 Apr 23'

Adam reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Had a wonderful and very informative day under the wise and patient tutelage of Phil. I feel I have a solid beginner's grounding in the way mail is constructed, including the different types. Well worth attending!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks and glad to hear you enjoyed and learned. Hopefully useful in your future battles!"

24 Apr 23'

Courtney Lyons reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"A really fantastic course- from knowing nothing about Maille making I left with confidence and passion to continue exploring this craft. Phil is an excellent tutor guiding you through the whole process explaining the history, materials and tools used, so from beginning to end it was a great learning and a brilliant experience!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Great to hear and thanks for the positive review. I recommend the wooden ring kits for exploring different tailoring techniques in particular."

21 Apr 23'

Roisin Cull reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Really great course, even if you know nothing about Maille, we were shown the different types and the process from start to finish whilst encouraging us to have a go at each step Phil really knows his stuff and is very patient especially when we had the chance to make our own mini chain maille."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed the course."

21 Apr 23'

Alex Brown reviewed: Maille making the traditional way

"Fascinating course. Phil was great! Going over the process from a bit of wire to making the rings, coiling them, then learning weaves with fun lil teaching aids. What made the entire experience that bit better was how Phil was knowledgeable and comes from a historical background so told us all sorts of fun facts and tid bits. I'm now at a stage of appreciation of the skills required, but also could make my own maille suit for reenactment or larp. Very chuffed. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Glad to hear you enjoyed the day and hopefully you'll be able to fix those holes in your shirt successfully now."