Testimonials

I so enjoyed yesterday. It is a real treat to be at The Watershed...like a little oasis in a fraught world....! You have a real gift for making people feel very welcome in a special environment ! Thank you for yesterday. John 22

Hi Allison…. Just like to say many thanks for your hospitality, super lunch, lovely setting and great day all round. We are thrilled with our birds and will certainly recommend your workshops to our friends! Gill & Tracey. June 21

Thank you so much for the lovely two days we spent at Watershed with yourself and Kaye. You have worked so hard to make everything so good .The work on the pantry is amazing. As always the food was excellent and the company was grand, what more can anyone ask. Maureen June 21

Thank you so much for looking after us today, I had a wonderful two days with you and Stephie.

Lots of new techniques to learn, lovely meeting new people. Lunch was lovely and you really spoiled us.

I think you have it just right with regard to meeting all the “new” regulations, lots of space, lots of ventilation, lots of sanitizing equipment too!

Thank you again and I can’t wait for November. Pauline September 2020

Tutor Stephie Butler - Artist....we had a lovely 2 days watercolour & liquid charcoal.... social distancing and felt very safe ... excellent !!👍. Julia Sept 20

I would just like to say how much I enjoyed the wreath making. Having been on a wreath making session previously I enjoyed the more relaxed approach. All your helpers were lovely and it was a really enjoyable evening and I was pleased with my wreath. Thank you - Louise, Dec 19

Watershed is marvellous, wish we had a similar set up locally. I would love to attend Sylvia’s workshops again next year and know I will have to get cracking. I have been collecting papers and bits’n’pieces since attending the collage workshop! But I loved both workshops equally. Maureen Dec 19

Thank you for always extending such a warm and generous welcome. I have enjoyed every one of the courses I have attended. Helen Dec 19

Thank you so much for having us I really had a great time! And it was great learning new things and watching everyone’s ideas and seeing their creations!! Jennifer Dec 19

What a lovely day. Something completely new, and easy to learn and do. Great lunch as always. 😘. Thankyou x Dawn Nov 19

Another excellent course with Margaret, and great food too! Paul Oct 19

I’m loving it - good tutor Stephie - (loving Allison’s lunches too !!) Julia oct 19

I just wanted to take a moment this morning to write and thank you very much for hosting our company retreat.

To say your hospitality went beyond my expectations would be a massive understatement.

We had a very productive session in the studio in the morning and I was very pleased with how engaging the staff were in the workshop once we got them out of the office. The food was out of this world, everyone commented on how good it was and how full they were. We were expecting a few sandwiches! Andy - July 2019

What a wonderful workshop with Jamel, inspirational! Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and your lovely food. - Jill - May 2019

I just wanted to thank you again for such an enjoyable 2 days with Charles and yourself.

I didn’t think I would be at all pleased with my ‘art’, but am quite buoyed up with the result. Ann and John - May 2019

Thanks Carole and Allison for the most enjoyable two days at the Watershed, I really gained a lot from it and it was great to meet old friends and make new ones - Lucy - March 19

Two fabulous days of proper teaching - thanks to Carole Massey! - all the students! March 19

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the wonderful time we had yesterday. So many people have text to say what a fabulous lunch/setting and atmosphere. We had a great day! Baptism party - Feb 19

I love coming to Watershed – your lunches and cakes are legendary! Mary.

Such a fantastic day, thank you Allison, and all involved xx Michelle - Singing Workshop - Feb 19

We had a lovely time. Thank you so much. Chris was amazingly encouraging and good fun too. Jane - Singing workshop Feb 19.

Many thanks Alison for a great weekend course. The lunches were amazing! Fraser Scarfe is such a good teacher and I look forward to coming back next year for his class I will certainly tell all my art class members about Watershed Studio and your courses and wonderful food…Pat - Sept 18

Absolutely fantastic two days. First time with pastels, first time at Watershed - looking forward to doing both again! Thank you Allison and Alison Burchert for a lovely experience. - Jenny - Sept 18

Fantastic course, thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt so much (and the hospitality was faultless as usual). Thank you all - Anne x Sept 18

Stephie (Butler) was an excellent tutor - wonderful demonstrations of her beautifully sensitive use of colour. I learnt a lot. Thank you Allison too for the delicious food. - Susanne - Sept 18

Thanks you for serving up Colchester KPA with such a scrumptious Farmhouse Tea. Super sandwiches and savouries, yummy cakes, delicious scones and amazing home-made ice cream all served with never ending pots of tea and coffee. Alternative dietary requirements were catered for too. Not only that but it was served in your beautiful garden. It was superb.

The patients have said how much they enjoyed it and it was the best afternoon tea they had ever had!! I think you will have to put up another marquee. Please thank your waitresses, they were superb and most helpful. Gail from Colchester Kidney Patients Assoc August 18

Just wanted to say how interesting and inspiring I found this week's workshop with Margaret (Glass). Your organisation was excellent which allowed us to get on with the painting. And of course delicious food!

If you're in contact with her would you please pass my thanks on to Margaret. I found her technique difficult though interesting but she was so helpful that I think we all made progress. I'm looking forward to trying it out again.

Many thanks to both of you, Ruth - May 18

Really enjoyed the workshop with Diana Siedl. She really taught the subject well and gave us lots of ideas about how to use the Art Rage app. One of the interesting features of Art Rage is the tracing function using the pencil which I used to do the tulip. You can then paint the subject eg a cake for your posters. Sue, April 18

Thank you for two lovely days at Watershed Studio .I really enjoyed the painting course with Tim and lots of great company. The food was lovely too! March 18

Thank you for two lovely days at Watershed Studio .I really enjoyed the painting course with Tim and lots of great company. The food was lovely too!"Thank you for another super weekend Allison. Every time I come I feel that the studio is a second home. Comfortable, not overcrowded and with wonderful tutors who are so talented, helpful and enthusiastic. I always think of you as 'superwoman' organising everything and providing such lovely food as well. Looking forward already to next time."

— Celia

Watershed Studios is my favourite studio , it has space and an atmosphere that is both welcoming and relaxing, the food which is home cooked is wonderful and Allison is always there to solve problems and help in any way she can . Allison is herself an Artist her work is to be seen in the dining area. She has helped me on many occasions when I’ve asked . The classes are so varied you are sure to find something to suit - I always come away with something I am proud of ! And feeling like I’ve been on holiday.

- Val

"Thank you too for the fabulous food. Best I've had in years. Perhaps I shouldn't do too many workshops or think I'll gain weight!"

— Gill

"The Watershed Studio is the perfect base to enjoy your passion of Art in its many forms, from Watercolours, Acrylics, Pastel, Pen and Wash and many more mediums. In my experience all of the Courses and Tutors I have attended have encouraged and inspired me to develop my style and gave me the confidence to carry on with my interest"

— Chris, Loughborough

"I'm so glad I discovered you. What an amazing place. Jamels workshop was so inspiring and what a great guy. Allisons hospitality was second to none. Wonderful lady and awesome cook. You can be sure I will return. Thank you so much x"

"A great place to learn and to teach. I have been visiting Watershed Studio for at least 10 years now as a tutor and can't wait to be back next August!"

Watershed Studios - my happy place! Lovely rural setting, excellent tutors and loads of home cooked food and cake.

All with a lovely warm welcome from Allison.

I have done several courses at Watershed studios over last 3 years. The welcome from Alison is always cheery and warm. She provides an excellent venue surrounded by farm land and near to coast. The tutors I have been to are always helpful and supportive in what ever they are teaching.

I did a watercolour course at Watershed in November with Joe Dowden - great space to work, plenty of room, light and most importantly lovely home-cooked food! Thanks Allison for being such a great host - I look forward to coming back soon...