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Reviews

Kind words from wonderful people who have visited Birtley Woodland Art Space and spent quality time with Lorraine and Ruth.

Michaela muellwr, 2021

Enjoyed a wonderful morning with Lorraine making our own willow harlequin trees. It was so relaxing in the tranquil surroundings of the Birtley Woodland Art Space. Small group, all Covid safe and so much fun. I can only recommend the craft classes at Hedges & Hurdles and will book some more classes.

zara morley, 2021

Wonderful workshop in a beautiful setting. Small group so felt well looked after. Lorraine is professional and helpful and was amazed at what I was able to make! Can’t wait to book another workshop soon.

tracie willis, 2021

Had a wonderful two days of a hedge laying course.... the weather didn’t even put a dampener on it ... highly recommend the instruction and the wonderful food .. thank you paul and Lorraine for a wonderful experience

Alison, april 2020

I recently had the privilege of spending an entire afternoon with Ruth on a 1:1 basis - I was so grateful that she went out of her way to enable me to join her to complete a special project for my granddaughters 1st birthday- I had limited time to do it and despite the fact Ruth was recovering from very recent  surgery she went out of her way to help me out . I was delighted to spend the afternoon with such a talented artist who isn’t just skilled at her craft but Is a lovely kind and interesting person . She gave me such support and guidance with the project and I was blown away that she did this for me - Ruth is so approachable and a genuinely lovely host / if you want a great day out to learn a new craft in wonderful surroundings then contact Ruth -  I will definitely be joining her again ... thank you for a truly memorable experience and a fantastically successful project

pascal siddall, 2021

Very therapeutic session willow weaving in the woods. Event was well organised and host very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend

rebecca west, 2021

Brilliant dragonflies and dream catchers workshop, great tuition and a lovely day

hattie hedgecock, 2020

I really enjoyed the pyrography course with Ruth, it's been one of my favourite things of the last year. Ruth was really good at explaining techniques and showing us her work to produce a range of artwork including mandalas, birch trees, ferns, landscapes and seascapes. I would definitely recommend this as a great hobby and mindful activity.

clara fernandez dawson, 2021

Not what i was expecting. I expected a detached atmosphere, focused on only the basics and to leave the course with the same attitude as when i went in. It was the exact opposite. I made 4 amazing friends who i will stay in contact with. We laughed almost constantly, learned about each others backgrounds and supported each other while we worked. The hospitality of Paul and Lorraine was shockingly endless, how better to learn a new skill than with hot, homemade food and kind words to encourage you to persevere. And the training itself was the best it could be, i was encouraged the whole time and to have demonstrations by a 4 time national hedge laying champion was definitely behind our success. Not only did we learn how to lay a hedge but we also learned about sourcing the materials to do so, the upkeep of it, the tools used, the history behind hedge laying and the competing world of it. I never expect to experience another course like this and recommend it to anybody with the slightest interest in managing the countryside. You will not regret it!!! This was the 2 day Coppicing and Hedge laying course

kate taylor, 2021

Making the willow bird feeder with Lorraine was a great experience. So relaxing in the woodland. We enjoyed coffee and cake and went home with happy memories and our own hand crafted feeder. Perfect.

samantha ryan, 2021

Great crafts and lovely teachers. We have a few crafty builds in our garden now including an Hazel arch, hearts and obelisk.

phillip petrou, 2021

I recently attended one of the Pyrography workshop days, Ruth showed us some of her completed works, explained about different types of wood before proceeding to give us a quick demo on how to use the Pyrography pen.  

We each picked some small pieces of wood to practice on and a large one to do our own art work.

The day was informal, fun, informative and extremely enjoyable.  I’m no artist but found it very easy as a novice, extremely relaxing sitting outside in the woods surrounded by birds.

Ruth provided all the necessary equipment and wood, everyone bought their own lunch. During the afternoon cake was provided.

I will be returning.

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