Mallinson Ltd - woodwork courses in Dorset. Perfect short breaks for everyone.

Firstly, apologies to everyone expecting fresh 'Tree of the Month' and 'In the Woods This Month' features ... but Mace and Carolyn have rather hectic schedules at the moment - not least with various summer green woodworking events. They will be back next month.

Ark Building

Speaking of hectic, last week saw two courses running back-to-back, two days spent 'Kitchen and Garden Pole Lathe Turning' and then one of our regular 'Days For Children And Adults' on the Saturday.

All went well despite the weather, and guests on both courses mentioned two things in that connection. Firstly, that when you're engrossed in a course you barely notice the weather outside the woodland workshop. Secondly, that the sound and smell of woodland coming alive after a shower (or, this summer, a downpour) is absolutely magical. (I suspect it brings back pleasant childhood memories for some, while for others it's totally new. Either way, it's great to be able to share it.)

Of course, the unseasonable sogginess has prompted one or two suggestions that an ark-building course might be a smart move but I'm an optimist and I'm looking forward to an Indian Summer for the two bowl carving courses in September. The first one is fully booked but the second, on the 27-28th, still has a couple of spaces. So, book now if you fancy a bit of bowl carving in the woods, enjoying what's sure to be some stunning September sun. (Maybe!)

Serious Crash Testing For Stools

Last month we told you about our first new foot stool course and made much of the traditional jointing techniques we're using (no glue, nails, screws or anything else). Well, you don't have to take our word for it.

Just after writing the newsletter we received an email from one of the course guests, Simon. He'd left to go home at the end of day two with his newly finished stool strapped to the seat of his motorbike. Unfortunately, the course doesn't cover knot-tying. As he joined the motorway and got up to 70 mph the stool - you guessed - came flying off. It bounced across the tarmac and, luckily, came to rest on the hard shoulder. To Simon's amazement (and, it must be said, the delight of Mace and myself), after all that it was still in one piece and just needed a bit of tidying up to get it back to looking as it should.

As I said last month, those old Bodgers knew what they were doing.

Going Global

We have been really pleased with the response to our courses since we launched and particularly chuffed that people are travelling long distances to get here. Over the months we've had one bowl travel back home with its maker to Australia; some guests from the Channel islands, quite a few from London and the home counties and several from the north of England and Scotland too, That is all really gratifying - and the effort people are making to come here is much appreciated.

However, even with all that experience under my belt, I was genuinely amazed when a couple on last week's Pole Lathe Turning course mentioned that they'd planned their entire annual holiday around coming down to the woodland workshop for two days ... and that they had come over from Bermuda to do so.

I know that in this era of climate change we really shouldn't be encouraging travelling around the world ... but it is really great to learn that the courses are being enjoyed and that the word about them is spreading ... nation-wide and world-wide. I hope that says we're doing something right. (And I hope to see Heather and Roddy back in the woodland workshop the next time they're passing through England!)

Tired Hands And Minimum Ages

Our 'Days for Children And Adults' courses have proved very popular but as we've held more of them, we've come to realise that the minimum age limit is wrong.

In this era of more and more regulation, for once bureaucracy is not the problem. Our insurance requires all children on courses to be at least eight years old, but experience is showing that the younger ones can get a bit tired towards the end of the day, and also that their hands are often a bit small to easily hold and use some of the tools. So, with some regret, we've decided to play safe (and avoid disappointments too) and raise the minimum age to 10. My apologies to any eight or nine year old budding green woodworkers out there - but your time will soon come!

Custom Course Costs

As some of you might already be aware, we are able to put on custom courses for groups of eight or more people. These are good for all sorts of groups, from work colleagues looking for a team-building event to social clubs fancying something different.

The custom courses can either be based on an existing course or be tailored to suit, and all sorts of extras can be included - transport, accommodation, evening meals etc. I know from feedback that the flexibility we offer is appreciated, but it does make the price of these courses wholly bespoke as well ... which isn't too user-friendly!

In response, we've now priced 'basic' (if that's the right word) custom courses (private bookings) and added these details to be web site, so everyone can get an idea of the costs involved and hence the price per head for their particular group. So, if you've ever fancied coming down to the woodland workshop with a group of friends, relatives or colleagues ...

And that's all for another month. I'm off back to the woodland workshop now - there are more willow and bamboo walls to finish before it gets cold and a green wood bar stool design to finish prototyping - more about that when its finished.

Hoping to see you down here soon.

Guy and the team