Walderchain Wood reviews

5 Dec 24'

David Roe reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A very good course - fun and very well run, with an excellent lunch. Highly recommended."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"David, Thank you for joining us on the Bowl Carving class and taking time toy review you day here. Glad you enjoyed it. Mark "

2 Dec 24'

Claire Sumner reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A great day with Mark learning new skills - not used green wood before & have limited woodwork experience. The day wasn’t rushed, plenty of guidance and instruction but also time to get stuck in myself. Well equipped workspace set in the woodland the wood is harvested from & lovely home cooked lunch. I’m going to do another course with Mark next year - the oval carved bowl. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Claire Thank you for joining us and for taking time to review your day. You achieved loads and produced a great bowl. All the best Mark"

30 Nov 24'

Alison reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Thank you to Mark and his wife for their hospitality, you both made us feel welcome. Mark has the patience of a saint, as I for one, struggled to get the hang of using the axe and knives. Mark is a very good teacher and he made sure that we leant to use the tools safely. Mark, please thank your wife for their hospitality lovely lunch that was provided for all of us. Both Richard and myself learnt a lot, and we both had an enjoyable day. We are both pleased with our spoons. I would certainly recommend this course,"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Alison Thank you for joining us and for leaving a review of your day here. Glad you enjoyed yourself and got so much from it. All the best Mark and Cristina"

8 Oct 24'

Sara Brown reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"My husband booked this class as a surprise anniversary gift and we both had the most incredible day. I loved it SO much and would love to do more course with Mark and in this location. The class was just the right size to get to know everyone and to get plenty of help from Mark if we needed it. We went through the process step by step and had plenty of time to practice before chopping into the wood for our spoons. I loved that it was a whole day activity that included a home cooked delicious lunch ate around the table together and a lovely walk through the woodland. I left with an item I’ll treasure and new skills that I have continued with since. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Sara Thank you for your review of the class. Glad your both enjoyed your day here. All the best Mark"

7 Oct 24'

Hannah Lees reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"Mark is a patient, methodical teacher. This was my third class with him and each time I am left dreaming of when I can do another class! Highly recommend (especially for Christine's dreamy cake) :-)"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Hannah Thank you for your review. Great to see you here again. Glad you enjoyed it. All the best Mark and Cristina "

17 Sep 24'

Peter Baxter reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"I had an enjoyable day, Mark quickly putting us at ease. Simple cutting to get used to using an axe, then progressing to log splitting and making ready for the spoon carving. Mark guiding us at every stage, with demonstration and personal attention. I came away, confident that I could handle carving. Thank you Mark."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Peter Thank you for joining us and taking time to review the class. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day. Keep at the crafting and hope to see you back here sometime. All the best Mark"

17 Sep 24'

Mrs. Titmuss reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I had a really good day. Mark was very knowledgeable and patient. At the end of the day I felt confident that I understood the rudiments of spoon carving and I will endeavour to try to do it myself. I will go back to Mark’s course if I feel I need some more guidance. I would recommend this day to anyone and lunch was good too! "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Doreen, thank you for joining us and taking time to review the class. Glad you enjoyed it and that you're going to keep carving. All the best Mark"

8 Sep 24'

Adrian Lovis reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A fantastic day. I learnt how to make charcoal and the woods, plus Mark and Kim's valuable support meant the day was both fun and highly creative. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Adrian Thank you for joining us and your review. Glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark"

8 Sep 24'

Janet Penton reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I was in Walderchain Woods yesterday making charcoal and being creative with it. I really went because drawing with charcoal is my very favourite thing. The charcoal making bit turned out to be easier and more interesting than I had anticipated! A warm welcome; fascinating venue; informal and friendly atmosphere; expert tuition; good company; delicious lunch and a guided stroll through the woods - all made for a perfect and memorable day. A big thank you to Mark, Kim and Cristina. I’m looking forward to a return visit with friends and family during October’s Canterbury Festival and East Kent Artists’ Open Houses event. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Janet Thank you for taking time to review your day here with us. Glad you enjoyed yourself. See you soon All the best Mark"

21 Jul 24'

Gill Moody reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Spent a memorable day with Mark being taught how to carve a spoon. Our group varied in experience from none at all to using an axe to chop kindling - we were soon all handling a carving axe with confidence and ever improving skill thanks to Mark’s great teaching. Lunch was delicious and a sociable event providing a welcome break from our creative endeavours! We all left with a spoon - all different designs - but most importantly with a sense of achievement and a day well spent in a glorious environment. Now to return for the next level course or maybe the bowl carving in the autumn. Wondering if you should have a go at spoon carving with Mark - just do it! Great day - thankyou Mark."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Gill Thank you for your review of the day. Glad you enjoyed the day. Hopefully see you here on another class. ATB Mark and Cristina (and Alfred and Ruby)"

21 May 24'

Kelly reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"This was bought as a birthday gift. We had an amazing day, the course is so informative and surprising!!! We learnt a great deal about the whole process and accurate ways to use tools. Everyone came away with a spoon. The lunch was delicious and the hospitality amazing. Thank you so much for a wonderful day "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Kelly, a pleasure to meet you both. Thank you for the review, glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina"

19 May 24'

Angie reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I bought this course for my two grandsons (aged 14 & 20) They both came home pleased with their spoons and said they would definitely like to go back and make the bowl. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for your review. I'm glad they both enjoyed their day here and are eager to return. All the best Mark"

12 Mar 24'

Jo reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I bought this as a gift for my wife and she said it was one of the best days of her life! Great location, pace of the course was perfect, very thorough, use of quality tools and materials, banging lunch. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review. Glad to hear she enjoyed her gift of a day here so much. All the best Mark and Cristina "

11 Mar 24'

Matt reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I attended the one day spoon carving course. Can't recommend it enough. Mark and Christina were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Great fun and you get to learn a new skill and take something away to be proud of. Beautiful surroundings. The home cooked lunch is fantastic too!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for your joining us and taking time to review the day. So glad you enjoyed yourself. Keep carving. All the best Mark and Cristina"

23 Oct 23'

Kim Barton reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A really fun day was had with Mark. We all learnt a great deal and left with our handmade spoons and all our fingers intact! A delicious lunch was had too. Cannot recommend this course enough, thank you x We will hopefully be back for another course in due course."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Kim Thanks for joining us it was a blast. Glad you enjoyed yourselves. All the best Mark and Cristina "

21 Oct 23'

Tracey Giles reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"We can only thank Mark at walderchain for a brilliant day. With his guidance, skill and knowledge we all came away feeling confident to have another go ourselves. The day flew by, was very informative and interesting and a ‘working’ spoon achieved by us! Thank you ! "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Tracey, thank you for joining us. Glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina "

13 Oct 23'

Josephine reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Had a brilliant time on the spoon carving course and would love to attend another one of their workshops again soon. Mark is a really engaging instructor, encouraging and has a lot of knowledge. I liked the way he taught, demonstrating and explaining each step and then letting us have a go. Felt guided but also able to make your own decisions about the tools and wood we used, spoon design, etc. I think it would be enjoyable for people that are completely new to green woodworking and also people who already have some experience. The workshop and location in the woods is a beautiful and peaceful place and it was a really idyllic setting for the activity which made the day feel so therapeutic and restorative. Also Cristina's food was delicious, homemade and homegrown and generous portions. Both Mark and Cristina are such interesting, welcoming people and all in all just had the loveliest day. Definitely inspired to keep on spoon carving. Also appreciate Mark taking the time to send some recommendations and further reading after the course, so it doesn't feel like just a one off experience but the start of learning a new skill, if you are wanting it to be. Thanks so much, really enjoyed it and will be recommending to everyone!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Josephine, Thank you for such kind words. Glad you enjoyed it so much. Do keep carving, you won't regret it. Hope to see you here again All the best Mark and Cristina"

8 Oct 23'

Paul reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Enjoyable day, great tuition, lovely food. Came home with a spoon! Would highly recommend."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Cheers Paul, glad you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina "

5 Sep 23'

Gillian Ely reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A cathartic, restorative and informative day. Prior to the course Mark’s email with clear instructions set a friendly, professional and minimal hassle tone which was great. A cheery greeting from Mark, Christina, Kim and the woofers before meeting other attendees, having a cuppa and listening to essential, clear safety instructions by the charcoal burning place and undercover area set up for drawing began the course. Simple pleasure of camaraderie whilst whittling bark off what was to become artists’ charcoal and benefitting from Mark’s explanation of the process, techniques and troubleshooting advice for making charcoal at home after the class was very relaxing. Kim demonstrated the mark making potential of a batch they’d got going earlier so, without any rushing, there was a harmonious flow to the morning completely in tune with the verdant quiet of the woodland. Our prepared sticks were put on to cook -Mark keeping us informed about the signs of progress - as Kim started us off with some warm up drawing exercises. These were brilliant, surprisingly meditative, informative and insightful as we drew with our eyes shut responding to the sounds, smells and sensations of the environment. Definitely an exercise to repeat in my own time as it unlocked the drawing muscles literally and as a considered beginning to looking/ sketching/ looking/ thinking/ drawing/ looking which brought out aspects of practice I hadn’t been aware of when in my studio. Fascinating and enriching to see the work, hear the thoughts of course mates - important when so much of the artistic process is solo. Glad of the forethought of Mark and Kim having a sheltered space for us as the rain threw down a challenge! The majority of the day was outside in the magic of the trees, what a privilege to enjoy that space - would happily pay to be able to draw there with Kim’s input and the outstanding hospitality of Mark and Christina. Christina deserves a category of her own in this review - she’s a talented maker in her own right (basketry) but oh my she is an alchemist in her kitchen! Lunch was divine. Dining together at the long table in the company of happy, inquisitive artists, surrounded by beautiful vegetarian food had most of us wondering how we’d focus on the afternoon- not a problem (nothing was) as Kim and Mark had us back out in the woods, seeing, drawing, really looking through new eyes. This was my first foray into a social group outside my house for any reason since a brain injury 4 years ago, I can’t put into words what this meant to be included, accepted, involved and to feel ABLE as well as unconditionally welcome. An enormous thanks to my course mates for being unfazed by my brain freezing later in the afternoon and heartfelt gratitude to Mark, Christina and Kim for their knowledge, willingness to share, encouragement and making what read as a good course description on paper into a superb experience. Looking forward to seeing what courses this trio of fine people come up with next. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Wow, what a review! Thank you. Was a pleasure to meet you and am bowled over by how you felt about your day with us. Until the next time All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim "

5 Sep 23'

Pat reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I very much enjoyed the course with Mark on carving wooden spoons. His instructions on how to use axes and very sharp knives were essential and very useful. My very first wooden spoon wasn’t too bad. The venue in the woods was magical and the lunch was delicious. Thank you for a lovely day."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Pat Thank you for the review. So glad to hear the day was good for you. All the best Mark and Cristina"

2 Sep 23'

Jon Millward reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"An excellent day, really enjoyable. Mark is a great teacher and had unlimited patience. Have already started my next carving project. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Jon Thank you for joining us, glad you had a good day here. Keep up the good work Mark and Cristina"

2 Sep 23'

Tara reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Thanks so much for a great day of woodwork. My 13 year old son and I loved the day of axe skills, woodwork and more. Delicious rustic lunch and a gorgeous setting in the woods. Would highly recommend to teens and adults !! "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Tara Lovely to meet you both. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina"

23 Aug 23'

Deb Jackson reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Wonderful day out in the woods, the charcoal we made seems to have such a very special quality. Great to have all the tips, gained from Mark's personal experience on charcoal making at home & avoiding any pitfalls. Then Kim's insights on using the stuff, & approaches to drawing trees. Fortified by Cristina's lovely homemade soup & cake. All in such a wonderful setting. Thank you all. Deb"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Deb, thank you for leaving a review of the recent class. Glad to hear you enjoyed the session here. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

22 Aug 23'

Annie Michie reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Thank you so much, Mark, Kim and Christina, for a wonderful day in the woods. I arrived, somewhat stressed from a certain situation and felt happily embraced by the tranquility of this very special location and by the warmth of the course leaders and fellow participants. Whittling wood together round the charcoal burner, trying drawing techniques which were either new to me, or out of my regular comfort zone, leading me to come away feeling that existing skills had been extended or reinforced. Friendly chats, fascinating stories told by fellow artists, all lead by the thoroughly knowledgeable and experienced course teachers- Kim and Mark. Nourished with a hearty lunch by Christina. What more to add, so glad to have met you all, hope we stay in touch. Great day, thank you so much!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Annie, wow such praise! Thank you. Glad you got so much from the class. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

18 Aug 23'

Cally reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A wonderful day! Beautiful woods. Wonderful Kim. Gorgeous soup and cake. Thank you Mark, Kim and Cristina. X"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Cally, thank you for joining us, glad you enjoyed it. Hope to see you back here. All the best Mark"