14 Apr 19'
"A top weekend in a magical location with a top bloke guiding my clumsy hands and busy mind to a point where I actually made a functioning and in my eyes quite beautiful long bow
Tony is a skilled, knowledgable, understanding teacher and guide with a true feel for his craft and with a patient relaxed approach which put all of us at our ease.
He is a genuine woodsman and artisan with a sensitive and deep connection to nature and his environment with an extensive knowledge of the history of the British long bow and its significance to this land.
The weekend was not just about learning new skills though. It was also a great opportunity to slow right down,to be quiet, to listen to the birdsong whist meditatively shaving, rasping and hewing a piece of ash into a working bow.
It was also about spending time in an ancient wild environment amongst interesting fellows of the woods and leaving the cares and troubles of the modern world behind.
Tony makes you feel right at home in the camp and workshop he has created in the woods. A couple of days spent there focused on a good and noble craft under skillfull tutelage with a band of brothers, will cast a subtle spell that cannot but make you look at life with different eyes.
And you get to bring a bow back with you too along with some magical memories.
Cheers Tony and to all the other guys who spent the days in honest graft and nights around the fire shooting arrows into the starlit skies.
Highly recommended."