Home About Us Products and Prices Courses and Shows Good Advice Links
Courses and Shows
The 2010 course programme -
In 2010 we shall be running a number of courses, mostly based at the new oak-framed craft shelter in Westonbirt. We also intend to put on a number of courses instructed by other people (thus far, Spoon Carving with Steve Tomlin) as well as promoting some of the other courses which will be running there (pole-lathe turning and chair making). So watch this space for new information!
3rd - 4th December 2009: Practical Small Woodland Management, Westonbirt Arboretum.
This mid-week course will be looking at the correct usage of small tools (billhooks and bow saws), the techniques for felling small trees, the lighting and management of fires, the sorting and grading of products and the stacking and splitting of firewood. It will be a very hands-on course (learning by doing!) with a leaning towards coppice management.
£90 for the two days, all tools provided. Bookings through Brian. Please note, if you can't make midweek let me know - I may put on a weekend one as well.
15th - 16th May 2010: Making Wattle Hurdles, Westonbirt Arboretum.
Learn how to use a billhook, split hazel, make the twist, build up the weave and start and finish a hurdle. All tools and materials will be provided, and you should be able to take a small hurdle home with you. Please note: this is a strenuous course (particularly on the hands and wrists), but there are some good, fundamental greenwood working techniques to be learned.
£120 for the weekend (materials included), all tools provided. Bookings through Brian, brian.hurdles@virgin.net or 01453 790666.
5th - 6th June 2010: Woody Women, Westonbirt Arboretum.
The aim of the weekend is for participants to go away with a rich woodland experience. We will focus on skills that women will find useful and empowering, such as: effective wood splitting, the safe use and sharpening of fine edge tools (axes, drawknives), and moving heavy timbers with levers and ropes. We will cover topics that will broaden knowledge and spark the imagination, such as: woodland management, tree folklore and woodland crafts. We'll be addressing issues that women face in our society around using our bodies in physically demanding activities, as well as collecting tinder, exploring different materials for fire-lighting and cooking our meals on an open fire! Come and join us for fun in the woods and take home your own hand-made spatula! Suitable for ages 14 upwards (under 16's will need to be accompanied by an adult).
£140 including lunch, camping and materials.
Led by Ruth and fellow professional coppice worker Jenna Higgins. Bookings through Ruth: 07794 054623, rgoodf@hotmail.com .
19th - 20th June 2010: Charcoal Burning, Westonbirt Arboretum.
Come and be a part of our charcoal burning set-up for two days. Load and light one big kiln and empty another. Do your own burn in an oil drum, and bag and take home your own charcoal. Enjoy a very dirty weekend in the woods.
£90 for the two days, bookings through Brian.
7th - 8th August 2010: Spoon carving, Westonbirt Arboretum.
Wooden spoons are an attractive and tactile addition to any kitchen or dining table. Learn the safe axe and knife techniques to enable you to make spoons and spatulas for your own use or as gifts for others.
£90 for the two days, all tools and materials provide. Bookings through Brian.
13th - 17th September 2010: Coppice products, Westonbirt Arboretum.
6th - 7th December 2010: Small Woodland Management, Westonbirt Arboretum.
(as above for details)
The 2010 show programme -
The show season for 2010 will begin for us with National Bean Pole Week. However, if you'd like to meet us/see us at work (and have a day out) at other times you could pay a visit to either Silk Wood, Westonbirt Arboretum (www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt), where we are based, or Stroud Farmer's Market (www.fresh-n-local.co.uk) where we will have a stall on the fourth Saturday of each month throughout the summer.
17th - 25th April : National Beanpole Week. We will again be based at Westonbirt Arboretum's Plant Centre during this week, selling beanpoles, pea sticks, rakes, brooms etc and demonstrating hurdle-making. It went really well in 2009 and we hope to have a wider range of products and demonstrations for 2010.
2nd and 4th Saturday of the Summer months (starting April 10th), Stroud Farmers Market.
10th - 12th June: Royal Cornwall Show.
27th - 30th August: Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt Arboretum.