Pren reviews

DM reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Brilliant course from an expert in his field."

Pren responded:

"Hee hee! We had a good day, didn't we Dean!"

Dean Jamson reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia - taster course

"I had a superb wood turning taster session with Les. The results exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed learning a new craft. Lew was informative and very personable with a great depth of knowledge. He is a skilled master craftsman and to learn from him was a pleasure. I cannot recommend this highly enough. I would have rated it at more than 5 stars if the review allowed me to."

Pren responded:

"Many thanks Dean. I'm really pleased that you anjoyed your day and that you're happy with the result."

Graham Tunstall reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I have just completed my 2nd woodturning course with Les, where I produced a beautiful walnut fruit bowl and wooden apple. I found Les a very knowledgeable and patient teacher. I can fully recommend Les and his courses for anybody wishing to try woodturning."

Pren responded:

"Hi Graham and thanks for the review. We pushed the boundaries a bit in that session, didn't we, and I'm really pleased with the result."

Julie and Phil reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"I booked this course as a present for my fiance as something we could do together. There was great communication in the lead up to it, and Les was great at making suggestions as to what we could make on the day. We settled on making scorched bowls from some beautiful pieces of wood. We both had a fantastic day, and Les was so insightful. He took time to explain everything in just the right amount of detail, and we came away with two beautiful bowls. We both had a fantastic experience. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a course with Les, whether you were looking to take woodturning up seriously or just want an interesting experience for the day. Thanks Les!"

Pren responded:

"I remember the day well and especially your enthusiasm for the craft. The day flew by, just as all time does when it is being enjoyed. Thank you so much for the review; I'm really pleased that enjoyed your day."

Mark Prince reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia - taster course

"What a great morning, and Les is a really nice guy, and excellent teacher. Cannot believe what I achieved on the course. Would recommend this to anyone interested in wood turning. "

Pren responded:

"Thanks for the review Mark and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed your morning. It certainly was very busy and productive. Les"

Sharon warnes reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"The course was brilliant and Les is a careful and excellent tutor. We would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn, improve or to professionals. Great"

Pren responded:

"Thank you Sharon, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the day."

Kate reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I had a great time at Les Symmonds woodturning course. As a complete beginner, I was a little apprehensive but Les was a very patient and skilled teacher, happy to repeat instructions! I was delighted with the bowl and tree I made."

Pren responded:

"Thank you Kate, I thoroughly enjoyed your company for the day and I'm really pleased that you did too."

Paul Howells reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I had a brilliant day in Bala on a woodturning course with Les! He is extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, patient and is a great teacher. I had an excellent introduction to many wood turning skills/techniques and the two items that I produced during the day were both very satisfying and professional looking pieces. The course was good value for one-to-one tuition from such a professional and I would highly recommend Les to anyone."

Simon Morris reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Les is extremely knowledgeable about wood turning and clearly is good at it himself. His background in teaching really came out as he was very strong in explaining and then showing me what was needed for each technique and then very supportive and encouraging as I have it a go myself. The day flew by and I had a great time learning (hopefully) lots. I even walked away with some very professional looking pieces that felt like they’d been largely my own work! A great day with a lovely man"

Pren responded:

"Many thanks Simon; I'm pleased that you enjoyed your day."

Fiona reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"We had an excellent day woodturning. Les is a great, patient teacher and we made a beautiful bowl each and trees. I keep picking up my bowl to look at it. It is so smooth and looks very professional. It was a very enjoyable experience. "

Pren responded:

"Thank you Fiona. I really enjoyed working with you both and I'm delighted that you were happy with the bowls that you each made. "

MJones reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Les provided an excellent introduction to woodturning at just the right level for me as a complete beginner. I learnt many techniques and came away from the day with completed bowl and key ring projects. It was a very enjoyable day and Les is an excellent teacher. Highly recommended course and well worth the money paid. "

Pren responded:

"Many thanks Mat, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your day."

Carl Henderson reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia - taster course

"I found Les Symonds to very knowledgeable and helpful in this taster course. He, without a doubt, has excellent knowledge about wood turning. I will be returning for a further course in the future"

Pren responded:

"Thankyou Carl...I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your morning at the workshop."

Claire Lea reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Excellent one day beginners course. I'm very pleased with my bowl and tree creations. Thank you Les."

Pren responded:

"You're very welcome Claire, I'm glad that you enjoyed your day."

Phil Ellis reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I decided to book a taster session with Les to decide if I would like to get into wood turning. His enthusiasm and passion for the subject was infectious and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Les is a talented teacher and explained everything in the right level of detail. A real plus was being able to take away something I'd made and could be proud of. It now has pride of place on our coffee table. Diolch yn fawr Les"

Pren responded:

"Thankyou Phil...it always gives me great pleasure when my students write such reviews but I must keep a humble head on my shoulders; it is the students who often make the sessions so successful. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your openness to instruction, you were a very receptive students and you made my day most enjoyable."

Dave Stonier reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"An informative and inspirational one day course from start to finish. I was not only impressed by the breadth of Les' wood turning knowledge but also in the engaging way he demonstrated and delivered it. The experience has inspired me to use the information I learnt to develop this new skill."

Pren responded:

"Thank you Dave...your depth of interest was apparent and we covered much more in the session that I usually do. I'll put some notes together for you and email them to you in a day or two. Les"

Wendy Whitter reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Had the best day ever, Les is a great teacher and excellent at explaining everything. Which was very reassuring as I have never done wood turning before, so if anyone's thinking that they may like to give it a go, it's well worth your time. His one to one tutoring is perfect, so patient and good company. Walked back to the Old Workhouse B&B with a big smile on my face and a beautiful lamp base and bowl in my hands plus a little gift from Les. The day after we went to a craft village, there was a shop selling hand made wood things, and by the door there was a basket with lumps of wood for sale. A big piece of bog oak caught my eye. I have not stopped thinking of it since, wish I had bought it. I think I might be booking again. Thank you Les and it was lovely meeting your wife"

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much Wendy, we thoroughly enjoyed your company at the workshop and we're delighted that you enjoyed your day so much. Kind regards, Les."

Peter Middlemiss reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"What a fantastic teacher! I couldn’t fault the day even if I wanted to. Technical insights into many aspects of turning were superb I can’t wait to get home and put them into practice. Les was great so warm and friendly put me at my ease with the patience of a saint. I couldn’t recommend this course more for beginner or experienced turner. I will be back next year for another session once I have mastered the skills that Les has taught me."

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Peter. I enjoyed working with you and look forward to meeting you again. Les"

Sef chambers reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"All i can say is a fabulous day was had by me, I learnt so much from les Couldn’t fault communication running up to the day Les himself is is a great teacher and makes you feel at home from the moment you get there, I learnt so much more in one day that i could possibly believe achievable Thank you Les"

Pren responded:

"You are very welcome, Sef. I enjoyed your company and you were a very receptive student. Thank you."

CLG reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"A fabulous gift for my husband. He really enjoyed learning from a very generous and highly skilled expert. Exceptionally high-quality results achievable in one day and a very personalised, thoughtful experience."

Pren responded:

"Thank you for your review and your kind words. I enjoyed working with Ian and we had a busy, productive morning. In the afternoon, when Leon joined in as well, the learning was less intense, more relaxed and every bit as enjoyable. I am really pleased that we all enjoyed our day."

Jeffrey Hall reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I took a four day course with Les Symonds. I would start by saying that communication prior to the course was brilliant, I was asked what it was I wanted to learn so that it was bespoke to me. Upon arriving at the workshop, I was greeted with a cup of tea and welcoming smile. I was then shown to the workshop where we went through all health and safety briefing. This then lead straight on to producing a bowl. Les was very personable and proffesional. With his guidence and impeccable teaching I was able to progress quite quickly. Les was very easy to talk to and happy to share his knowledge with me; I was encouraged at all times and happy with everything I was learning and producing. I got to make some incredible pieces; such as a Scortched Bowl, live edged bowl and trinket boxes, to name but a few. The equipment there was excellent and plenty of different tools to use. I did have to travel from Manchester to this workshop, but this did not put me off as the route taken was very scenic and idealic. There was a cafe located very close by which came in handy. Overall I would say that my experience was exceptional and I would very much recommend to anyone thinking of taking a course. I would suggest that taking more than just one course because when you get to the end of day one you are just finding you feet and have the urge to continue and learn more! Once again I would like to thank Les my tutor and I am undoubtedly going to be coming back for future lessons to learn more of this art/skill."

Pren responded:

"Well, what can I say! Thank you Jeff for such a favourable review, it is much appreciated. You were an excellent student and it was great to experience two very important skills, a delicacy of touch and quickness to learn - it all makes my job so much easier. Added to this, I enjoyed your company and the relaxed approach that we were able to adopt. Many thanks and I look forward tom seeing you again. Les."

Tony D reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Having never used a lathe before I was a little nervous about stepping up to such an advanced machine for the first time, but Les is such a wonderful teacher that those nerves were quickly replaced by excitement as he adeptly and patiently explained how it all works. I'm absolutely thrilled with the objects I was able to make under his tutelage and definitely have the 'bug' now - I can't wait to delve into this more. The day was extremely enjoyable, with Les willing to expand beyond the scope of the class to discuss all sorts of things to do with wood identification and finishes for various types of project, and his passion and knowledge for the craft is evident. If you have even a passing interest in turning for the first time I cannot recommend this class highly enough - I had a fantastic day in his lovely workshop and I hope I can come back in the future to try making something else. Would give it six stars if I could!"

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much, Tony. You did remarkably well and I thoroughly enjoyed working with you."

Oli reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Excellent value for money, brilliant and thorough course! Les was an excellent tutor, very patient and guided me throughout the day in a clear and easy manner. He went through a range of techniques and tools whilst creating 2 finished pieces. All round lovely chap! Have already recommended to family members and wouldn’t hesitate to book again!"

Pren responded:

"Thanks for your review Oli. I thoroughly enjoyed our day's work and am especially pleased with the two pieces that you made."

Stu Ingram reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I’ve been turning for a while. Never really been taught. Just kinda worked it out. I did a 6 hr session with Les. He is a subject specialist. His technical expertise and his eye for detail amazing, the delivery of the session was well balanced and perfectly pitched. Highly recommend picking his courses you will not be disappointed"

Pren responded:

"Thank you Stu. I thoroughly enjoyed our day and I trust that the skills your learnt will be of help to you in your future turning."

Rebecca Newbold reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I bought the course as a gift and decided to attend too and I wasn't disappointed. Les was very welcoming and clearly had a great passion for what he does. The day started with a health and safety and covid talk which made us both feel very safe. The balance between teaching and practical work was perfect, Les has this down to a tea. We really appreciated that Les was happy to share his wealth of knowledge, and any tips and tricks he had learnt along the years he was keen pass on. What we managed to produce in the day was beautiful. We both came back with something we had no idea was achievable to complete novices in a day. I would highly recommend a course with Les and hope to return again. Thank you so much for a fantastic day."

Pren responded:

"Many thanks for the review. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your day; I certainly enjoyed having you both as students and you did remarkably well for beginners."

Nick Hill reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"We have done a few craft courses over the last couple of years, and this was (by far) our favourite. Les is a really friendly guy who strikes that fine balance between teaching you and letting you learn from your mistakes. But he also manages to do that without letting you turn your piece of craft into a meas. Would highly recommend and we will visit again for sure"

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much for the review....I thoroughly enjoyed working with you both and will be more than happy to see you again."