Training Directory - Country Craft Short Courses
This section covers craft courses which can be anything using traditional skills e.g. hurdle making, felting or basketweaving. Although some of these may not be necessary to your ultimate work related goals they are complementary to an all-round countryside knowledge and are vital in keeping alive ancient skills and traditions; and they all make for a enjoyable, informative experience.
26/04/2021 Build a Shed: for absolute beginners 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-shed-for-absolute-beginners/
Learn basic carpentry skills while creating a garden getaway. Whether you?ve never touched a saw in your life or you want to improve your range of DIY skills, this course is a fun, relaxed way to learn basic carpentry techniques so you can get started on your next project.
Cost £650
01/05/2021 Introduction to Renewables for Households 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/introduction-to-household-renewables/
If you?d like to install renewables in your home, this course will help you explore the options and likely costs and benefits to help you make a decision. Covering wind, solar PV, solar thermal, biomass and heat pumps.
Cost £200
01/05/2021 Compost Toilets 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/35ppy1m
Get a foundational understanding of the principles, benefits and limitations of compost toilets. You will learn about Off the shelf systems from ?bucket and chuck it? to more advanced systems, as well as the impacts of urine separation and chamber layout on output quality and quantity.
Cost £70
01/05/2021 Green Woodworking & Woodlands 1 Day
The Old Prison, Northleach, GL54 3JH, Cotswolds National Landscape Rural Skills 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk c-js.info/3vCxZ5C
This is a basic introduction to green wood working in the context of the woodlands where the material is sourced, followed by an introduction to whittling green wood, safe tool use and carving an item from a single fresh log, to take away at the end of the day.
Cost £110
07/05/2021 Wooden Spoon Carving
Nower Wood Education Centre, Sorbus Learning c-js.info/2VQ1SxA
An adult learning course in partnership with A Fire of Joy and Surrey Wildlife Trust at Nower Wood Education Centre (Headley) about carving wooden spoons and whittling green wood. [Book with SWT]
08/05/2021 Fire-making by percussion 1 Day
Nr Waldron, Native Hands ruby@nativehands.co.uk c-js.info/3cO7tO0
In-depth exploration of percussive fire-making techniques focussing on the ancient tools of flint & steel. Explore and gain confidence in safely turning a tiny spark into a fire that'll hold its own. Lighting a campfire/fire bowl using this ancient technique, without matches or a lighter, is truly empowering.
Cost £110
09/05/2021 Woven Hats 1 Day
Nr Waldron, Native Hands ruby@nativehands.co.uk c-js.info/3cO7tO0
Spend a day in the woods, round a camp fire, weaving a rush sun hat using true English rush. Perfect for the summer days ahead. A native plant with a long history of use in basket making. You’ll learn cross weave, twining and an elegant border for your hat.
Cost £110
15/05/2021 Bark Containers 1.5 Days
Nr Waldron, Native Hands ruby@nativehands.co.uk c-js.info/3cO7tO0
From tree to basket: learn to make a long-lasting stitched willow bark container from bark you'll harvest on the day. Designed to hang on the wall, perfect for storing your spoon collection, paint brushes etc. Learn all you need to make a bark container from start to finish
Cost £110
15/05/2021 Woodland and Bushcraft Introdcution 2 Days
West Ruggers Green Wood, Nailsworth, Cotswolds National Landscape Rural Skills 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk c-js.info/30Se4l0
An introduction to Bushcraft over two days (and a night!) in the woods. We offer fire lighting techniques and top down fires (cake tins provided to make a meal!); shelter construction; water filtration; whittling; useful knots; friction fire lighting; preparing and cooking game; backwoods cooking without utensils, and much more!
Cost £120
21/05/2021 Build a Tiny House 4 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-tiny-house-8/
Whether you?re planning to build your own home or just want to pick up a range of practical building skills, you?ll gain the knowledge and experience you?re looking for on our hugely popular tiny house course.
Cost £650
22/05/2021 Renewables for Households: solar PV 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/2UIrE8N
Solar panels: where should you put them? How much power will you get? How much money will you save? What will your emission reduction look like? This one day course aims to answer these questions and more through a series of lectures and hands on sessions.
Cost £70
29/05/2021 Green Woodworking & Woodlands 1 Day
The Old Prison, Northleach, GL54 3JH, Cotswolds National Landscape Rural Skills 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk c-js.info/3qZejFu
This is a basic introduction to green wood working in the context of the woodlands where the material is sourced, followed by an introduction to whittling green wood, safe tool use and carving an item from a single fresh log, to take away at the end of the day.
Cost £110
05/06/2021 Compost Toilets 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/37xs7Be
Get a foundational understanding of the principles, benefits and limitations of compost toilets. You will learn about Off the shelf systems from ?bucket and chuck it? to more advanced systems, as well as the impacts of urine separation and chamber layout on output quality and quantity.
Cost £70
19/06/2021 Earth Oven Building 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/earth-oven-building/
Join us for this hands-on day where you will learn how to build a cob oven from scratch, using readily available, natural and low-impact materials. In the afternoon, your tutor will demonstrate lighting a fire in the onsite clay oven before cooking pizza as a group.
Cost £70
19/06/2021 Renewables for Households: wind turbines 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/31M4oYW
Whether you?re thinking of installing wind turbines at home, in your community or for your business, this course will give you a deep understanding of the factors you?ll need to consider. Through a mixture of lectures and hands on sessions, the course will cover wind turbine selection, operation and installation.
Cost £70
19/06/2021 Bark Containers (woven) 2 Days
Nr Waldron, Native Hands ruby@nativehands.co.uk c-js.info/3cO7tO0
Tree to basket: learn how to make a large, sturdy and long-lasting woven bark storage basket from sweet chestnut. In-depth woodland course, foraging all your materials, cutting and processing the bark. Learn how to harvest the material sustainably, and weave your basket using only the bark itself.
Cost £210
19/06/2021 Woodland and Bushcraft Introdcution 2 Days
West Ruggers Green Wood, Nailsworth, Cotswolds National Landscape Rural Skills 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk c-js.info/39xSeIl
An introduction to Bushcraft over two days (and a night!) in the woods. We offer fire lighting techniques and top down fires (cake tins provided to make a meal!); shelter construction; water filtration; whittling; useful knots; friction fire lighting; preparing and cooking game; backwoods cooking without utensils, and much more!
Cost £120
26/06/2021 Fixing Your Damp House 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/3mfdxSG
Recognise the warning signs of damp problems, where past conservation efforts may have gone wrong and explore techniques to reduce or eliminate the problem. Get advice on how to make your home nicer to live in, cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.
Cost £300
26/06/2021 Reed Mace (plaited unisex bags) 1.5 Days
Nr Waldron, Native Hands ruby@nativehands.co.uk c-js.info/3cO7tO0
Make a cross-body bag from plaited reed mace. Learn how to make a 5 element plait and stitch it together, adding a strap: perfect for carrying your essentials. We’ll cut some material on the day and you’ll learn how to harvest and process this easily available and useful basketry plant.
Cost £165
28/06/2021 Build a Tiny House 4 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-tiny-house-7/
Whether you?re planning to build your own home or just want to pick up a range of practical building skills, you?ll gain the knowledge and experience you?re looking for on our hugely popular tiny house course.
Cost £650
10/07/2021 Spoon Carving 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/2DPvwv3
Spend a day in nature discovering the art of spoon carving. A great way to get started with woodworking, covering choosing materials, using tools safely, carving techniques, and drying and finishing. You?ll leave with the skills and knowledge needed to start carving, and with your own home-made spoon!
Cost £65
17/07/2021 Renewables for Households: solar hot water 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/31M4rE6
Learn how you can use solar water heating systems (solar thermal) to directly heat water. The course will cover the different solar water systems available, how they work, and how to assess which is best for your needs.
Cost £70
23/07/2021 A Way of Building: Using locally sourced materials 4 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/a-way-of-building-using-locally-sourced-materials/
Building using locally sourced materials can help to ensure your structure is low impact and ecologically sound. This course provides hands-on experience in designing and building a structure from scratch, working with wood, stone, straw and other natural materials.
Cost £460
30/07/2021 Build a Tiny House 4 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-tiny-house-6/
Whether you?re planning to build your own home or just want to pick up a range of practical building skills, you?ll gain the knowledge and experience you?re looking for on our hugely popular tiny house course.
Cost £650
02/08/2021 Build a Shed: for absolute beginners 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-shed-for-absolute-beginners-2/
Learn basic carpentry skills while creating a garden getaway. Whether you?ve never touched a saw in your life or you want to improve your range of DIY skills, this course is a fun, relaxed way to learn basic carpentry techniques so you can get started on your next project.
Cost £650
09/08/2021 Building with Straw Bales 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/2uWtDvN
If you?re thinking of building your own eco home, workshop or community space, straw bales could be the answer. This five-day introduction to working with straw combines practical hands-on building workshops with talks and tours to give you an in-depth understanding of this versatile, low-impact material.
Cost £650 waged; ?600 low waged / concessions
14/08/2021 Introduction to Solar P.V. & Off Grid Solar P.V. 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/35li6nX
Design, combine and connect a range of different systems as you get to grips with grid-connected and off-grid photovoltaics. A great introduction for anyone who wants to understand how the technology works and get some hands-on practice with different designs.
Cost £240
28/08/2021 Renewables for Households: heat pumps 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/3md8ySy
Heat pumps are often advertised as ?free heat? as for a small amount of energy in (electricity) they can?emit more energy (as heat) out.?Come and explore the science, develop a cost benefit analysis and quantify the emissions reductions of heat pumps, enabling you to decide if a heat pump is right for you.
Cost £70
04/09/2021 Earth Oven Building 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/35Dgm9R
Join us for this practical, hands-on day where you learn the subtle arts of working with cob. Anyone can learn how to build their own oven, using natural low-impact materials that are easy to come by.
Cost £70
02/10/2021 Compost Toilets 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/35qaVe2
Get a foundational understanding of the principles, benefits and limitations of compost toilets. You will learn about Off the shelf systems from ?bucket and chuck it? to more advanced systems, as well as the impacts of urine separation and chamber layout on output quality and quantity.
Cost £70
02/10/2021 Fixing Your Damp House 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/2HvBJS4
Recognise the warning signs of damp problems, where past conservation efforts may have gone wrong and explore techniques to reduce or eliminate the problem. Get advice on how to make your home nicer to live in, cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.
Cost £300
08/10/2021 Spoon Carving 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/34io7lQ
Spend a day in nature discovering the art of spoon carving. A great way to get started with woodworking, covering choosing materials, using tools safely, carving techniques, and drying and finishing. You?ll leave with the skills and knowledge needed to start carving, and with your own home-made spoon!
Cost £65
09/10/2021 Shrink Pot Carving 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/3ooPFhJ
Spend a day in a beautiful setting learning how to carve a wooden shrink pot from start to finish. A great way to get started with woodworking, covering choosing materials, using tools safely, carving techniques, and drying and finishing.
Cost £65
30/10/2021 Build a Small Wind Turbine 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk c-js.info/3ob7ssx
Join Tom Dixon of?V3 Power?to build a wind turbine yourself, from scratch. Drawing on over ten years of experience, Tom has developed a new design to help you learn the most practical and theoretical skills in a short amount of time.
Cost £240
If you are interested in any of the courses detailed please contact ONLY the person, centre, telephone number or email address and remember to mention that you saw the listing in CJS Training Directory. For all courses assume that booking is required and a fee may be applicable.