Grainne was awarded a work experience placement at the Cambridge bow making summer course during the summer of 2008 under the tuition of Chris Halstead.  This is what she writes about her time there:

  "The course started on the Sunday and ran for the duration of the week till Saturday afternoon. I was to observe, but not participate in the course, and help make teas/coffees at break time and wash up.

The week was a great experience, as I got to see the bow being made from a piece of wood to the finished product, with a bow rehair to finish. It really opened my eyes to the detail and skill involved in bow making; it is a highly skilled trade and requires intense concentration, an accurate eye for detail and leaves no room for even the tiniest error in making. Chris Halstead is a true professional and is dedicated in ensuring each student successfully completed their bows, even if it required working well past the intended workshop hours- one night the students were there till 2am in the morning working! The course is very intense and one learns a lot in a week. The schedule is from 9am to 5pm, but as said, extra hours were put in by all to finish on time.

While intense however, the atmosphere in the workshop was relaxed and fun. All students and I lived in accommodation provided by the course and this was also quite nice, as we tended to go out evenings after the course together to relax and discuss the day. Our hostess, Juliet, was there everyday, giving a word of encouragement, or joining in for a cup of tea, and she was really accommodating. Perfect arrangement on whole for a great week.

On the whole, a thoroughly informative and enjoyable experience and I am very motivated to continue learning bow making. Chris Halstead holds a Saturday course in Leeds and i have been already in contact with him, to see if I can join the class."