Testimonials
"The artefacts that Billy creates are of museum exhibition quality. The range of items he brought with him to display was absolutely stunning. They were all beautifully crafted and created by authentic methods, just as they would have been thousands of years ago with the same materials. Billy is a true artist and craftsman with an absolute passion for what he does and for the natural world in which we live. This makes for not just an entertaining workshop but is a chance to learn, experience and embody, with a first class teacher. Whether you are an archaeologist, artist/craftsperson, nature lover or bush crafter, you will find his events are second to none.
As someone with a hidden disability I don’t have the strength I used to have and I found Billy to be really, kind, helpful, and understanding. I am also AuDHD and I found his method of teaching to be very helpful with clear demonstration of techniques and splitting of activities up into achievable easy to follow steps.”
Amanda, Primitive skills course“Billy the tutor was very knowledgeable and a great communicator, who has a clear joy in passing on his knowledge. The course is hands on, there was a large handling collection of bone objects to examine close up. A full range of flint, stone and antler implements where provided to work the bone into tools. People in the group made needles, awls, amulets, arrowheads, harpoons and even a crochet hook.
We came away with an appreciation of the skill required by our ancestors to make their own tools and a new understanding of bone as a material. It is not the grey, soft and sad material left on your plate after a meal but a tough, durable and flexible material that has many practical uses.
We would recommend this course if you are looking for something slightly different in Bushcraft knowledge or are curious about experimental archaeology.”
Ralph, Flint knapping & bone tools course“The course was a truly enjoyable experience and a well thought through deep dive into fire through primitive methods. Bill’s passion for the subject shines through and his instruction is built from genuine earned experience. His advice was invaluable because he knows exactly what works and what people tend to struggle with after going through that journey himself, it really helped us succeed with the various techniques. The whole environment was relaxed and friendly and I’m already looking forward to returning for more courses and opportunities to learn.”
Darren, Fire & fungi course“We booked a private day with Bill to introduce us to working with bone to create basic tools. He brought a great selection of items he had created to give an idea of what can be done and also talked through the processes that our ancestors would have used before starting us on a simple needle project using bone and flint flakes to cut with. Bill provided detailed safe working practices and allowed us to progress at our own pace, making time for each of us. We made simple flint drills to make the eye of the needle which incorporated the use of pine pitch tar for gluing. Later we worked on individual projects from harpoon heads to jewellery all guided expertly by Bill. An excellent absorbing day, thoroughly recommended.”
Peter, Private booking
“I recently booked a one to one with billy in order to further my understanding of flintknapping techniques and was blown away by this young man’s talent! When I first arrived, Billy had laid out some items he’d made as examples of the craft and the attention to detail in his creations was astounding and made me even more eager to start popping flakes than I already was. I’ve previously done some knapping with a fairly well known instructor but i just couldn’t grasp it. However, Billy was able to put his explanations across in a simple, understandable way and in no time at all i was well on the way to making an arrowhead. The day was centered around making small tools and natural glues so i was shown how to notch flint to make a saw to cut bone, make a drill point and set it into a shaft using pine pitch and charcoal glue and how to use microliths to make simple arrows - again set into a shaft using glue, this time pine resin and beeswax. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned a ton and not just about flintknapping either. Billy’s general Bushcraft knowledge is exemplary and i picked up loads of tips about other aspects of primitive skills in general. I will definitely be back! I really like the idea of making a primitive fishing kit. The long line that Billy made needs to be seen to be believed!”
Paul, Private booking
“I had a great day learning how to carve bone using flint and stone as our early ancestors would have done. With brilliant tuition from Billy it was very satisfying to produce something without modern technology. Billy's work is so inspiring; it goes beyond bone carving, encompassing all kinds of materials and processes used in prehistoric times.”
Sara, Flint knapping& bone tools course