Testamonials

Every customer who builds a canoe with us is given an evaluation form, and we ask them to grade every element of their experience, from the communications to the facilities, the canoe they have built and the price they have paid.  We also ask them to tell us what they enjoyed most, and are encouraged to suggest ways in which the experience could be improved. Over the years we have responded to suggestions made in this way, and have invested in additional facilities to improve the whole experience. What was most encouraging for us is that everyone rated their canoe "A". You will be reassured to hear that they all rated the value for money as "A" too... Several have even suggested we should be charging a lot more, something I have resisted because I want families to be able to afford the course, 

Below are some comments gleaned from the evaluation forms in recent years:

What did you enjoy best about your experience ?
Having a tangible result which we could keep all from a few pieces of wood  Roy, October 2011
Gaining new skills and confidence about working with wood in a great outdoor environment Heather, Oct 2011
Seeing the canoe take shape and the finished product  July 2011
The friendly and helpful approach by the course provider John
Satisfaction in completing our own canoe
Big wow factor when from nothing there is a canoe taking shape before your eyes May 2010
Enjoyed working as a team,
Cameraderie, satisfaction and joy creative experience, the lack of pressure, and the team work. Easter 2010
Spending time with people you love doing something creative together
Working as a group towards a common goal; using certain hand tools[ Japanese pull saws] for the first time the joy of building something to share Summer 2010
Fast results in pleasant company
Family working together
John's enthusiasm, his friendly family and the relaxed atmosphere
Really special, joyous and fulfilling experience for me. Sorry to be leaving. John and Robin absolutely great. Helpful, kind, super guys. John, Summer 2009
A special time with my son John 2009
Seeing the canoe taking shape very quickly

Some of the suggestions we have responded to over the last few years:
A covered outdoor area for working on the canoes. This has made it much nicer doing jobs like applying resin 
An additional tap for campers. Having a tap there has been useful for so many tasks, great suggestion.
A second toilet block closer to the camping area. Took a while to get round to this, but its certainly more convenient.
Tea urn so people can have tea breaks whenever they want. This has been much appreciated by everyone. I get so focussed on the canoes that I forget all about stopping for a tea break!

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