Cheshire Woodworking

I have just completed the two day woodturning course having previously attended the four day woodworking course. I can only echo all the positives that previous attendees have made. Ciarons knowledge and expertise make the courses an absolute pleasure to attend. He makes sure that every pupil is at ease and is so positive about your efforts! Constant brews and biscuits are a welcome diversion not to mention the excellent lunches at the local pub. Ciaron is an excellent teacher and great company during the day. If you are thinking of trying any of his courses I would thoroughly recommend taking the plunge!
Mar 30th, 2023

Just arrived back home tired but happy after completing Cheshire Woodworking's intermediate 5 day course. We had a great group of engaged students, lots of mutual support, and Ciaran's inspirational teaching style made the course a great success. He's endlessly patient, nothing is too trivial to ask for help with, and he's committed to helping everyone get the most out of the time available. The course is well structured, day 1 making trial joints, then days 2-5 building the coffee table itself. It's hard work, to be sure - primarily a hand tool course, but we did use workshop machinery to help with some of the more repetitive cuts. Very worthwhile, and just hoping now to get an email about an advanced course!
Dec 2nd, 2022

I attended a two-day woodturning course with Ciaran at the beginning of March 2023. Although, I had messed about with a lathe for some time, I knew that I wasn't doing it right so wanted to get some proper tuition. There were five of us on the course of varying degrees of experience, and Ciaran managed this diverse group very well. He explains tools and techniques very clearly, leaving plenty of time for questions and making sure that we understood. The set up of the workshop is very conducive to learning, each of us having our own lathe and most of the two days was spent on practical learning. I have come away with a much better understanding of how to turn wood, but also why some things work and others don't. The attached image shows two of the pieces that we produced on the course. A really useful and enjoyable experience.
Mar 18th, 2023

I completed the Four Day Beginners Course last week, and I have to say its one of the best things Ive ever done. Ciaran is a true craftsman and a gifted teacher with the patience of a saint! The course was structured really well and we built on our skills over the 4 days resulting in being able to produce an amazing piece of furniture by the end of the course. I had very little previous experience and when we started chiseling and sawing, I wasnt sure I was going to get the hang of it, but Ciaran knew exactly how to help (including giving me a step to stand on because Im quite short!) and I was really comfortable with all the skills by the time we finished. He never got tired of all our questions, (in fact, he encouraged them!), we had a lovely lunch each day at the local pub along with endless supplies of tea and coffee throughout the day, and we were lucky enough to meet his 2 gorgeous dogs on the first day. I feel really inspired and Im really excited to put my new skills to use. Honestly, the only negative for me was having to go back to my normal life after an amazing 4 days!
Feb 27th, 2023

I attended Ciaran's two day Woodturning course in November 2022. I had long wanted to buy a lathe after having fond memories of enjoying woodturning at school. However, school was thirty plus years ago and so I thought I'd best get hands on first before making a hasty purchase. Upon arrival I was greeted by the very friendly Ciaran and I met my fellow course attendees. The day started with an introduction to the work shop, lathes, tools, etc and related health and safety information. We were then set to work on our own lathes, practicing with the various chisels on a piece of pine. I'll admit, when I first offered my chisel up to the spinning block of wood, I was very nervous. However, with guidance from Ciaran, I'd soon roughed out a block into a cylinder and then I was away, trying all the tools and techniques we had been shown. Then it was onto our proper first piece, a honey drizzler/dripper. After a demonstration from Ciaran, we got to work and after a few missteps, a lot of nerves and quite a bit of time, I proudly held in my hands something that I had created. I felt so proud. With further instruction, over the two days, I also created a garden dabber and a rather lovely pine bowl. Over the course of the two days, Ciaran was there to help as much, or as little, as you needed. Tea and biscuits were always on offer and there was plenty of friendly chat too. We also got taken to lunch at a local pub on both days. Suffice to say, I had a wonderful time on this course. I would highly recommend anyone come and give it a go, you won't regret it. The feeling of pride that I have when showing my pieces to friends and family is hard to describe. My bowl and dabber take pride of place in my house. Sadly, one of my dogs got hold of the honey drizzler and it doesn't look as good as it once did. When I finally get my own lathe, it'll be the first thing I make. Ciaran, thank you so much for a wonderful experience. I'll never forget it.
Feb 10th, 2023