"...I was actually booked on their campcraft course, deposit paid, but then just couldn't face driving all the way down there, getting in food, taking cooking gear etc., so in the end couldn't be bothered to go. Catering for "students" saves time for teaching and adds value to the course..."
You lost your deposit because you didn't fancy nipping into Tesco's on the way down?
I attended the Campcraft course back in 2007, I flew in from Hungary and took a train from the airport direct to the venue, because I had no transport to get to a store I asked Woodlore to pick up some shopping for me, this they did.
I think the idea behind the self catering aspect (on the Campcraft course at least) is that the course is all about creating a more comfortable long term campsite for your self, and cooking and preparing your own meals was part of that, more importantly it allowed the attendees to pool much of their food and have the odd mini banquet of an evening. Again making use of some of the tools and methods taught throughout the day.
On my course Ray nipped by with a recently shot Roe deer, he then gave an impromptu lecture on dismantling said animal and left half of it for us to eat later in the week.
I enjoyed that course, but not as much as other Woodlore courses that I have attended.
It is unlikely that I will attend any more courses run by Woodlore, not because of the costs, but simply because I don't know any of the Instructors. All the folks who have run the courses I have enjoyed there,
Woody,
Willow,
Paul and others have all moved on to set up their own schools or work for others. So I would probably seek them out instead.