I feel particularly blessed to have been able to attend the courses in stonecarving at Woodchester. So interesting and very absorbing, each session just flies by. I find myself longing for the next one to come around.
It is a privilege to learn from a true expert in his field, Stephen generously shares his amazing skills and techniques and is willing to pass on his deep knowledge of this most ancient craft.
Starting to learn about stonecarving has been a great experience for me, something I genuinely look forward to doing for a long time to come.
Anthony
As a 75 year old retiree not adapting well to retirement, an advert for a stone carving class caught my attention. I had no idea of the techniques used to carve the stones used in so many impressive buildings or the sculptures I’d often admired and quickly became curious.
I figured the day class would answer some of my questions and give me a taste of the trade with little to lose. The class was outstanding. Stephen L’Norman proved to be not only an outstanding craftsman, but also a great teacher and communicator, whose passion for the topic was evident immediately.
Stephen’s career and education has given him a unique perspective and a wealth of anecdotes that both entertain and educate. As a Guild Master of the Guild of St.Stephen (the stonemason’s guild) he is well versed in legends, practices and history of stonemasons.
After that first class I wanted to learn more and have been surprised at what I can achieve under expert mentoring – and the benefits go well beyond a developing skill set. For me there has been a significant mental health benefit. This has become a great aid to combating the depression that came with retirement and I look forward to my weekly session in the workshop. I highly recommend Steve’s classes, for skill building, mental health and just pure pleasure.
Alan