Bowl Carving Workshop

Our tutor Jo worked very hard to guide is through the quite demanding (and satisfying) process of bowl carving. Each step was clearly explained and demonstrated and there was one to one help whenever we found things a bit tricky. Temperatures into the thirties were an extra challenge but I think we were all proud of our finished bowls. There was a relaxed and supportive atmosphere despite the heat.

An excellent satisfying day . Jo guided us through the process in a clear and helpful way. There is a lovely relaxed atmosphere about the place.

I really enjoyed the bowl carving class. It was well taught and easy to follow along.

Fantastic course. Really fun!

Great course Thankyou :) - only change would be that I would love to be shown techniques I could also do at home with simple tools and no shaving horse etc

Really enjoyed the bowl carving course. I took photos as I went along, step by step, and it was amazing to see the transformation from a wedge of tree trunk to a bowl! David was our instructor, and he was careful and considerate, with plenty of tips on skills, being safe and design options. Will go again!

Something I have wanted to do for a long time. It was very good. The teacher, Dave, was excellent. Clear instructions, very helpful - a good atmosphere, (all adult ages). I would highly recommend this course and looking forward to the next one.

The bowl in the picture used to advertise the course is what inspired me to enrol for the day because I thought it represented a bowl made on the course. Unfortunately I felt misled by this picture. We all had to make the same shape of bowl in the exact same way which wasn't anything like the one in the picture. This wasn't made clear at the beginning of the day and I think it should have been. So, although I enjoyed learning some carving techniques and using new tools, I was disappointed with the bowl I ended up with and was desperate to customise it continuously throughout the workshop but the the day wasn't structured to be flexible in this way.

My second course with London Green Wood and it was another great experience. Our teacher was really patient and supportive and the pace of the class was just right. Such a lovely way to spend a day.

Excellent course and great teacher. Thanks David

A brilliant way to spend a day. Dave was a very patient teacher, and I’m delighted with my bowl.

Fantastic day! The instructor and the rest of the group were really friendly and the outoor workshop is a lovely setting (even in winter!). Plenty of breaks during the day and lots of tea and coffee available. It was a very small group so you could get personal advice and tips from the instructor which was great for learning. Everyone in the group came away with a successful bowl, reagrdless of their experience level, and we were all really happy with what we'd achieved.

What a wonderful day I had making a bowl in a day. I used tools I'd never seen let alone used before. Dave was a great tutor and being among other enthusiastic learners was inspiring. It was quite challenge but so rewarding.

It was a great day out! The environment of the workspace was really peaceful and relaxing. Dave was great. Really knowledgeable, patient, his repetition of demos was helpful. Despite being at the beginning of my third trimester of pregnancy, I was assured before hand that it would not be an issue. Dave was happy to help with some of the tasks and I was able to take little breaks in between. They don't joke when they say it is a physically challenging course - the other people on the course all agreed it wasn't easy. We had tired arms by the end of the day, but it was definitely worth it for our finished bowls! The facilities were great considering it was outdoors. The toilets were clean and close by, and there was a tarp put up when there was a light drizzle. Coffee and tea offered throughout the day.

Absolutely loved this workshop. Really well organised, with all the right equipment. Lovely setting and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone very friendly. Tutor was very informed. Really satisfying experience

A really enjoyable day. The pace felt steady and unhurried, and we got to try a good variety of tools and techniques throughout the course. Abney Park is a lovely location for the course and it's easy to forget that you're in the middle of London as you adze, gouge and chop your way towards an enchantingly rustic wooden bowl!

What a blast, it was so nice. Dave was very patient with us and used different teaching techniques depending on the audience, which was very thoughtful. I can only highly recommend the Bowl Carving Workshop with London Green Wood team. Thank you

Had a really good time! Was definitely tired at the end of the day but would 100% recommend.

We had a great day carving fruit bowls. Our efforts may not be works of art, but we feel very proud of what we achieved. Dave was very patient with us and there was a lovely atmosphere. We came away with a much greater appreciation of the skills and strength required in woodworking.

Hard to believe I was able to turn a log into a bowl in a few hours with no previous experience. Jo guided the group expertly, adapting the demonstrated techniques according to dexterity, physical capability so everyone had a bowl to be proud of at the end. I'd recommend this course. It was a very therapeutic day outside, regardless of the rain.

Great day spent carving a bowl. Hard work paid off thanks to excellent teachers.

So wonderful to work with natural materials and feel the accomplishment of the making something on the day. We would have loved a much more informative workshop however. More information about different woods, tools and their purpose, how to achieve different results and what to expect while using the tools we have. We know one can ask but it is not the same as experiencing a workshop that is more structured in terms of knowledge. Plus we are introverts and rely on the teacher to lead the class rather than students to know which questions will bring more appropriate results. We have got a bowl but neither of us knows whether we would know which wood to use next, we don't know how to take care of the wood afterwards and what to do in case of trouble shooting. We have only been assured that nothing bad will happen. We don't know where to get tools from and how to acquire them and we don't know what we could use this experience for next. Another bowl would be great, but it would be nice to know there is a follow up or continuation if we enjoyed the workshop and would wish to learn more. It was lovely to have a very laid back approach but we didn't think that would compromise the overall amount of education. Jo and Dave are really nice people. They both seemed really tired towards the end of the day, so we hope they are all well and happy. We wish them the very best of luck in the future with their workshops. xxx

I very much enjoyed the Bowl Carving workshop yesterday. It was wonderful to be working outdoors, in the beautiful surroundings of Abney Park. There were five of us doing the workshop with instructor Jo and volunteer helper Paul and all the work was carried out in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The bowl carving workshop gave us an excellent introduction to the use of different tools for working with green wood. Jo was an excellent instructor: she kept an eye on us all and gave instruction without being intrusive, with little bits of help here and there where necessary to ensure we would have a completed item by the end of the day. I will be coming back to London Green Wood for more!

Jo, the tutor, is amazing - so knowledgeable and patient. The class was just fantastic from start to finish! It was so beautiful to be outside all day and the fire and ever replenishing cups of tea kept us warm when we weren't working hard. I would recommend this to anyone - I had the best day. I couldn't stop smiling and looking at my bowl all evening!

First rate teaching from a first rate teacher. Great day of learning and activity in a superb setting inside Abney Park cemetary in Hackney. Will go back for more.

Really enjoyable day learning new skills working with an Adze and using an axe to carve a rustic bowl . Plenty of excellent tuition from Jo.

Another brilliant workshop from London Green Wood. Excellent and patient tuition from Jo, a great atmosphere and very lovely biscuits. Would recommend!

Wonderful workshop! Skilled teacher giving thorough explications and tips, high quality tools and a step by step approach to reach our goal and carve beautiful bowl! I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to know how to carve and also how to safely use the different tools. An enjoyable experience!

Great experience - highly recommended

The bowl carving workshop takes place outside in the peaceful surrounds of the cemetery at Stoke Newington. Jo the workshop leader has infinite patience and a great deal of knowledge that she is happy to share. A cup of tea, a chat and a chocolate biscuit whilst taking a break made for a great day.