Fundamental Bushcraft with Ray Mears

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  Perhaps the first question anyone reading this would be: is it worth the extra money to be taught by Ray? If you want to be taught by and pick the brains of an accomplished Woodsman who does not rest on his laurels; teachings by experienced instructors of humility and a natural ebullience for bushcraft; to push yourself out of your comfort zone and create a new more comfortable comfort zone; to spend six nights in a fine ancient woodland with like-minded people from all walks of life; to learn the rudiments of Bushcraft on the hoof, you will love this course. The course was redesigned this year due an illness that has been going around. You may have heard about it? We were informed of a much tougher course this year. There were certain things omitted and many things added, and the teaching was spread over three groups of four people, whereas in previous incarnations I believe it had been just the one group. This change reduced the teaching time per group since the lessons had to be repeated three times and staggered over the same six-day time period. There were gaps in schedules, this flexibility was vital to the success of course. I was expecting only one instructor, namely Mr. Mears, (since I was told by a friend a Scout Covid Risk Assessment allows for a bubble of up to 15). We had 4 instructors including Ray, which offset the teacher to student ratio favourably. The course actually morphed into the 'survival' end of bushcraft, since we were provided with our own personal food and water instead of the normal communal eat. There was no recourse for showering contrary to what was stated in the course information and 'downtime' was reduced to our own groups. A lot of the course, at first appeared to be conducted ad hoc. We were left wondering what next? However, there was a method in the madness and the modules tied together fairly well in the end. Some demonstrative teachings lost their potency due to distancing making certain things harder to learn. On the final afternoon our group had 3 lessons in succession, this was particularly stressful for some of us. Learning while tired and out in the bush is requisite for our development and these things just have to be overcome, however I was barely coherent, this just compounded the stress further. It was emphasised that it is all 'part and parcel' of survival in the bush. You agree and just get on with it! Since the course, my times out in the wilderness have been better prepared and the acquired skills have served me very well. Ray's teaching is thorough and always on point. The course redeemed itself for me through the magic of Ray. Ray is saturated with knowledge, approachable and generous with his knowledge at whatever scale. So to go full circle, my answer to the first question is a resounding "Yes!"  

  Craig

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  Good Afternoon to The Woodlore Team and Ray, I have spent almost a couple of weeks now reflecting on my recent course with you. I have wanted to let the experience settle in my mind and give my thoughts time to formulate before I responded as this has been an important milestone in my own personal development and as such has a reasonable level of importance for me. Firstly, may I say thank you and well done for all your efforts to provide the course under what I know have been challenging circumstances and which I could see required a high level of additional effort from all of you to be able to deliver it. It was much appreciated, you did a brilliant job with all the elements of admin, organisation, and physical care before and during the course. Your standards are exemplary and I felt I couldn't have been in better hands. Which for me is a really important aspect to attending a course like this. I started my journey with Woodlore in 2017 with an introduction course and then my first fundamental course. Prior to this experience I had never even slept outdoors before, in any capacity, never tied knots, cooked outdoors, never held a knife to do 'jobs' with, and certainly not to attempt anything meaningful with, I had never made a fire, or in fact experienced any outdoor or wild living, my upbringing and life up to date never allowed or afforded me any possibility of these things. But I really want to, I want to learn and be able to use the skills. My aim on attending the course was to learn outdoor, wild living and survival skills. With fresh eyes and with no prior knowledge or experience I felt it was vital that I get the highest level of training first time around so I can lay a solid, firm foundation of skills that won't lead to bad habits I would have to unlearn later. This last course with you Ray has been enlightening. It challenged the very core of what I felt about myself, what I may be capable of, what I can yet do, yet become. The talks we had Ray, the thoughts you shared with me and the guidance and support you imparted have illuminated my vision of myself and I thank you for taking the care and concern to give of yourself, it mattered and it is valued. All the team worked so hard and gave so much, it was clear to me that all of you extended yourselves over and above to ensure the course was a success. You did it. Thank you to you all. I appreciate that I am not a 'model bush-craft student' and I struggled in some cases and in many things - sorry about the book ! However, I have heard it said about many things that it is not often natural ability that leads to success, but yet instead the tenacity, persistence and perseverance that makes it through in the end..... I will see you again I'm sure. Kind Regards Ali Pickett  

  Ali Pickett

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  To say I enjoyed it is an understatement, I absolutely loved every minute of it. Even at 4am while I was feeling a little chilly in my leaf litter shelter in the woods! The course was an amazing experience, I was constantly challenged and feel I have learnt some amazing skills making me so much more confident in the outdoors. I would like to thank you for all your help leading up to the course, and please pass on my heartfelt respect and thanks to David, Steve, Wayne and of course Ray for their undivided attention throughout the week. Every single lesson was delivered so professionally and in an enjoyable way that made the learning challenging and fun. They were fantastic, and I felt they handled the social distancing elements of the course incredibly well. I know it was a first for them, and as much of a learning experience in delivering the course in a different way to how they have in the past. It was a very effective way of helping us to all learn to rely on ourselves in the wilderness. It is a shame that we never all got to sit round a campfire in one big social group, but that did not take away from my experience of the course at all. Receiving my certificate in the post yesterday was a very exciting moment. I fully intend to follow this up with the Journeyman course at some point in the future. Once again, thank so much to all at Woodlore, it is a fantastic company and I wish you all the very best in the future.  

  Steve