Ray Mears

[Minttree]

Hi Guys/Girls,

I recently read somewhere that Ray Mears courses weren't that good. I was contemplating a woodlore class. If they are indeed a bit weak, can anyone recommend a better one?

Thanks

 

[bambodoggy]

I have to say I haven't been on any of their courses but I'd be suprised to find anybody on here suggesting that they are running weak courses.
You may find people can't agree on Woodlore's value for money but I don't think the content of their courses are in much doubt, certainly within bcuk's membership

Hope that helps,

Bam.

 

[spoony]

never been on one but i find that hard to believe,
but have friends that can recommend the http://www.woodsmoke.uk.com/ courses

 

[tomtom]

I should imagine woodlore courses are some of the best around, though they are extremely expensive, and that is by no means a guarantee that they will be better then those courses by any of the other school around..

Check this out... let us know how you get on!

 

[jerv]

how on earth were you going to get on one they are fully booked for ever it seems?

 

[Womble]

how on earth were you going to get on one they are fully booked for ever it seems?

ask to be put on the Woodlore mailing list. They advertise last minute places (usually caused by cancellations) on there - that's how I got onto the Woodlore traking course 2 1/2 years ago.

 

[jerv]

cool how was it?

 

[peds8045]

I completed the Woodsmoke Woodlander course in September this year and i can thoroughly recommend it. Prior to selecting this course i too tried to get on the Woodlore course but they were/are so booked up except for the Arctic courses i gave in.

Send off for the Woodsmoke information pack and i think you will be impressed. As for the cost of these type of course, just think about what you get for the money, a week of excellent instruction and practice in some fine woodlands where you can practice all the skills taught, plus all of your meals. If you work out the hourly rate for the instruction alone it's well worth the money. And personnaly speaking i'd rather have a week with this group doing something enjoyable than a week in Spain rotting on a beach.

If you or anyone want to PM me for any other info please do. ( I am not connected to this company in any way)

 

[Womble]

It was very good, Juha Rankenin was very good, and it was run mostly by Ray. Woody put in an appearnece on the Thursday.

 

[hammy]

I too have compleated this course and agree with Peds8045
It was one of the best weeks I have had, total freedom in an ancient wood for a full week.
Very informal with brilliant instructors.
Rays apprentices I believe.

 

[ScanDgrind]

I attended a Woodlore Fundemaental couse. And if anyone is saying that that course is weak, well I don't reckon they've done one.

I learnt so much in that week, it was amazing, the instructors were great and each day started about 6oam and finished about 10:00pm - 1:00am depending on what we had been doing that day.

Weak my @rse.

Cheers,

Tony

 

[SquirrelBoy]

I have attended two Woodlore courses, a weekend cookery course and the fundamental week course.

The cookery one was lead by Mr Mears himself, the Fundamental was lead by Gary Wale, Juha Rankinen, Ben McNutt and Lisa Fenton. Both great courses with excellent instructors, hardly weak.

Interesting to note that Gary ( www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk ) and Ben ( www.woodsmoke.uk.com ) both left to set up their own Bushcraft Schools. Having learnt under both people, they make great teachers and considerably cheaper too.

Worth a look if you cant get on Woodlores.

 

[miniac]

I Went on Bearclawbushcraft's "Green horn" weekend and have to say that Gary and his mate JP were both outstanding instructors who both obviosly enjoy their jobs, I had a fantastic weekend and am sure that the longer courses are as good.

A big thumbs up from me

 

[bow drill]

been on fundemental with woodlore and the journey man can highly recomend them by the way have you seen Woody's new web site he has started up looks good hope to go next year

bowdrill

 

[Celt_Ginger]

I'm booked on a Woodlore fundimental Bushcraft course in May 2006. I booked it around june or july this year. I am on the Woodlore mailing list, and as soon as they announce dates for new courses, you get mailed to let you know. they took about 10 days or so to get booked up fully, so as they get announced, you get your chance to make a booking

 

[MARK II]

I have also been no the f.bushcraft with woodlore ,it was my introduction to bushcraft and it was one of the best things I have ever done .I recommend it whole heartedly.

Mark

 

[elma]

It's about time Mr Mears had some good press, he seams to have had a bit of a kicking these past few days

 

[tomtom]

Interesting to note that Gary ( www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk ) and Ben ( www.woodsmoke.uk.com ) both left to set up their own Bushcraft Schools. Having learnt under both people, they make great teachers and considerably cheaper too.

Worth a look if you cant get on Woodlores.

It's worth pointhing out too that www.wildwise.co.uk is run by Chris Salisbury who also worked for woodlore, and of course Woody @ www.bushcraftexpeditions.com

 

[PhilParry]

I'm booked on a Woodlore fundimental Bushcraft course in May 2006. I booked it around june or july this year. I am on the Woodlore mailing list, and as soon as they announce dates for new courses, you get mailed to let you know. they took about 10 days or so to get booked up fully, so as they get announced, you get your chance to make a booking

Really?!?

So am I!! Took me about 3 months of waiting for a space to come up, but Woodlore released a new week at the end of May.

Very much looking forward to it.

 

[Fallow Way]

I have been on the Fundemental, Tracking, Prim Tech, Birch Bark, Adv Birch Bark, Camp Craft and Artic courses with Woodlore.......all extremely extremely good, i would recomend them without hesitation. You cant beat a bit of Juha