Testimonials
Testimonials
Twenty five years ago, after I gained a H. N. D. in engineering, I discovered WOOD, a natural material I had an instant affinity with. After working with it for the subsequent twenty five years in the form of cabinet making,( kitchen cabinets for the last fifteen years), it had all turned a bit stale. A change was long overdue, so I signed up for a week’s Windsor chair making course in Sussex. Having now been on one of James’s courses I can, without hesitation, recommend it to anyone in a similar situation.
The enthusiasm for this natural material; the wonder of its composition; the respect for the way I can use it, the grain ,the colour, all this has been rekindled.
The working with hand tools again, has, no doubt, contributed to this re-discovery of my love for the wood itself.
Thank you James.
GVDE March 2010
How exciting to see the workshop’s 2010 look in your latest newsletter… I think fondly back to my days in your course and the magical corner of England that is Pulborough. Sadly, a babysitter left my chair outside on the exposed porch unbeknownst to me, and in the torrential rain that night and subsequent hot drying sun of the next day, my seat cracked all the way through. I was livid with rage and broken hearted…I will just have to repeat on a course in the not too distant future… Now that we are back in the New England, however, the logistics are just a bit more complicated.
Lastly, as my time in England fades into memory, I thought you should know my week at the Windsor workshop was in the top 5 of all the many adventures I had while living in Blighty…I will be grateful all my days for the experience. You are right by the way, I find I turn over every chair I see these days…
J.H. February 2010 (course 2008)
I am just back from a wonderful week at the Windsor workshop building a chair with James Mursell. I cannot praise James enough for enthusiastically guiding us through the process from cut logs to completed chairs.
His tuition is informal but clear and detailed. We bombarded him with questions all of which he was happy to deal with.
The workshop is a very pleasant working environment and is well equipped with good quality tools and machines. Generous teas, cakes and lunches are all provided and break discussions were as enjoyable as the chair making.
I am very grateful to James for a most fulfilling week, a chair of which I am proud and much new knowledge.
A.C. (Essex) January 2010
You know the type – beard, plastic sandals, smock top, a passion for country crafts, wattle daubing, wurd nurdling, country fairs and half timbered Land Rovers, if there was such a thing. Well, just for once you would be wrong. James Mursell runs a Rolls Royce of a course with tact and infinite patience. He does not, as you may have suspected, play the fiddle or country dance. He plays decent music on the stereo. He will teach you and help you make a chair: not any ol’ chair, but one you made yourself more or less from a raw log. And forever after people will say “That’s a lovely chair” and for the rest of your life your chest will swell with pride as you say “I made that”. Go on, sign up – do something useful. It’s cheaper than a cruise, fun, and far far more satisfying.
C.W. (Sussex & France) January 2010
I must confess to having been both apprehensive and a little skeptical that I could actually make a chair in just five days. My doubts were banished as soon as I met James in his modern and beautifully equipped workshop, and was walked progressively through his thoroughly thought-out process over the next 5 days to emerge with a rather elegant chair of which I am very proud.
James has clearly invested heavily to ensure that his students have the best equipment with which to accomplish their task. The workshop is modern, well equipped, well lit, and most importantly for me as my course was in January: well heated ! He has even fitted lights with a full spectrum daylight colour temperature which contributes greatly to the pleasant working atmosphere.
The tools he provides are of the finest quality, some being handmade by James such as the travisher and spokeshaves, which he fits with blades from the famous Ron Hock. (These are available for purchase, and I was unable to resist buying one of each having experienced the ease of use and quality results I was able to achieve with these tools).
As regards the skills needed, I had had no prior experience (for example) of turning, but in the space of one morning managed to produce four turned legs and three stretchers under James’ tutelage which looked rather good (if I say so myself !) I was also introduced to tools I had never before encountered (eg. travisher, drawknife, froe, adze) as well as some that I had, and found myself handling these quite naturally after guidance from James on their correct and safe use.
James is a man totally inspired by Windsor chairs, and his passion has extended to writing a beautifully presented book on the subject (which I now have in my collection). This passion is clearly in evidence as he guides his student makers through each stage in his carefully thought-out process, and he radiates confidence that each of his students can achieve the highest standards.– which we all did !
Last but not least, and probably no less importantly, James has gone out of his way to ensure that his students stomachs are well filled with good, fresh food.
I unreservedly recommend this course.
D.L. (Sussex) January 2010
What a wonderful week deep in the West Sussex countryside. James Mursell has turned some old farm buildings into a centre of Windsor chair making excellence which keeps alive the skills of the craftsmen of long ago and passes them on to today’s students. The workshop is kitted out with high quality machinery and tools, some of which are made to James’ personal specifications. James is a first rate teacher and all students completed the introductory course having made windsor chairs of which they were justly proud.
Also, James fed and watered his students admirably which added to the enjoyment of a super week. Can’t wait to go on the next course.
D. S. January 2010
I just wanted to write and thank you for the superb courses that I have attended both at The Windsor Workshop and West Dean College. On each occasion I have felt exceedingly positive about the total experience and consider each of them to be excellent value for money. No matter what chair is to be made, whatever the degree of difficulty of the design, or the extent of the components to be made, the programmes are well-devised and suitably paced to cater for the individual skill level of all the class members. Your interventions are appropriate and timely, thereby enabling every student to leave having experienced a real sense of personal achievement. The workshop organisation, suitability of raw materials, and quality of tools and equipment are of the highest order and each contribute to a marvelous learning experience. The teaching is excellent and your patience to overcome the inevitable challenges faced on each course is outstanding. I most certainly commend the high levels of motivation that you inspire and on each and every occasion I find I cannot wait to try out the new techniques acquired when I return to my own workshop. As a former Member of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools and Colleges charged with observing, writing and reporting on the quality of Craft, Design and Technology in the nation’s educational establishments, I am pleased to write so enthusiastically about the excellent courses you provide and I give you full permission to share my thoughts with others, in the hope that these comments might be of interest. I look forward with enthusiasm to my next course!
K.J. (Kent) October 2006 and September 2007
I had my first class with James in 2005, I could make several kinds of American Windsor Chairs, a thing I was taught at the school of American Master Michael Dunbar in New Hampshire. I wanted to make English Windsors because I like their high style and and craftsmanship and the look of natural woods. Being taught by James is a different experience. You really make all the chair parts, from splitting greenwood and turning parts to the last sanding, under constant supervision. I learned a lot of things, the first of which being not to say “good enough”!. I made two chairs at the Windsor workshop. Well they are still far from perfection, but they are the best I made, and I know how to go further.
V.L. (Paris) May 2005 and May 2007
There is something almost magical about being told that you are going to transform some logs complete with bark and moss into a chair in five days—and not any old chair, but an elegant Windsor Chair which would grace any living room. This is part of the magic of embarking on a course with James Mursell at the Windsor Workshop in West Sussex . For anyone with the least interest in creating something beautiful from wood; in learning to use new tools that have a long traditional history; or in just the satisfaction of completing a substantial project in a week, there can be nothing better than this course.
The magic I experienced depended on the enthusiasm, skills and knowledge of a good teacher—and James certainly fits that description. Never once did he suggest I was doing anything wrong—rather he encouraged me to develop my skills with such phrases as “I find it works best like this.” or “You might find it easier if…” I had never worked with unseasoned work or used tools such as the spokeshave, drawknife or travisher before. Each day I was learning how to use a new tool or a new approach and under James’ watchful eye (and ear!) I progressed to the conclusion of Friday—the completed chair.
The magic extends to the surroundings as well. Set in the delightful Sussex countryside with views to the South Downs , the workshop itself is well-equipped, clean and inviting. James has created a teaching environment that makes you want to succeed. And succeed you do, whatever your starting point.
If you want to experience a very special, yes, almost magical, week then you can do no better than sign up for a course with James Mursell at the Windsor Workshop.
E.G. (Hampshire) December 2007
Courses with James change the way you view furniture and its construction forever. I started a complete novice and was gently guided by James through five well planned days, transforming two green logs into a graceful Windsor chair. The feeling of pride as you sit back on the Friday afternoon looking at your creation is almost tangible. James’s lightness of touch and unfailing support builds your confidence. The workshop is a serene delight set in the foothills of the South Downs, warm, spacious and well equipped. Each time has been a most fulfilling week, I recommend it without hesitation.
J.S. (Sussex) November 2006 and November 2007
I found it magical that within 5 days a couple of wet logs could end up as a Windsor chair! The whole course was well organised and ran like clockwork. Your teaching skills are excellent and the whole environment is calming with Mozart in the background when things get a bit difficult. I was able to use some old skills, but learnt many new ones, particularly bending wood.
M.A. (Devon) November 2007
