When I did the Merchants & Tradesmen course, Benjamin taught with great skill and a good sense of humour, and the small size of the course allowed him to give us all the attention we needed to complete and individualise our projects. The teabreaks and meals were a great opportunity for more personal conversations with Benjamin and his lovely wife Ineke, to admire the beautiful spot they have made their home and to relax from the intensity of the bookbinding. The whole weekend was a wonderful experience and it was great to be able to take away so much to think about, such valuable information about tools, materials and techniques; and of course their physical manifestation: the handbound notebooks of which we can be, and are, very proud!