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.
21/01/2020 Willow Craft & Relaxing Yoga 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2Q07sg8
Indulge in a post-Christmas treat. Spend the morning making a willow structure before enjoying a relaxing afternoon yoga session.
Cost £45.00
25/01/2020 Winter Yoga Retreat 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/36PRJ9J
Beat the January blues by enjoying a day of nature inspired yoga. Book before 1st January and receive a £10 SWT voucher for future courses.
Cost £65.00
12/02/2020 Willow Cultivation and Management 1 Day
Denmark Farm, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Denmark Farm 01570 493358 info@denmarkfarm.org.uk www.denmarkfarm.org.uk/events/
Justine Burgess from West Wales Willows will share her knowledge of coppicing, processing and cultivating willow using the established willow beds at Denmark Farm.
Cost £30.00
15/02/2020 Botanical Drawing & Illustration Techniques 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2X2gmeM
Learn to draw and colour the intricate details of nature.
Cost £60.00
19/02/2020 Willow Weaving - Round Basket 1 Day
Denmark Farm, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Denmark Farm 01570 493358 info@denmarkfarm.org.uk www.denmarkfarm.org.uk/events/
A one day traditional willow basket weaving workshop in which we will be using a variety of natural willows to make a small round bread basket.
Cost £47.00
20/02/2020 Willow Weaving - Square to Round Paper Tray 1 Day
Denmark Farm, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Denmark Farm 01570 493358 info@denmarkfarm.org.uk www.denmarkfarm.org.uk/events/
A one day traditional willow basket weaving workshop in which we will be using a variety of natural willows to make a woven paper tray
Cost £47.00
22/02/2020 Willow Basket Weaving 1 Day
Sherwood Pines, Forestry England 0300 067 5463 karina.thornton@forestryengland.uk c-js.info/2ORNW59
Spend the day learning the traditional skills of basketry and weave your own round, stake-and-strand basket. The course has been designed to guide total beginners, step by step, through each stage of the basket making process.
Cost £50.00
22/02/2020 Spoon Carving 1 Day
St Nicks Environment Centre, Rawdon Avenue, York, YO10 3FW, St Nicks 01904 411821 info@stnicks.org.uk stnicks.org.uk
Have a go at carving a spoon from green wood – for yourself or as a present. The workshop, led by Paul Stead of Apple Tree Greenwood, will cover selection of wood suitable for spoons, carving tool use and safety, carving techniques and spoon finishing (seasoning and treatment).
Cost £75
27/02/2020 Astronomy Evening 1 Day
Bay Pond, Godstone RH9 8LT, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/32vXdCS
View the night sky like you have never seen it before with the Edenbridge and District Astronomers Club.
Cost £8.00
29/02/2020 Tool Sharpening & Maintenance 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2NWTp8q
Bring along your tools and learn to sharpen and maintain them.
Cost £45.00
06/03/2020 Crafting with Rush 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2CH8WEc
Create a variety of useful items using soft rush. Book both the am and pm courses on 6th March to receive a £10 Adult Learning voucher.
Cost £40.00
06/03/2020 Willow Platters & Bowls 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk www.surreywildlifetrust.org/events/2020-03-06-willow-platters-bowls
Create willow platters and bowls for everyday use. Book both the am and pm courses on 6th March to receive a £10 Adult Learning voucher.
Cost £40.00
07/03/2020 Hazel stool making 1 Day
Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk/
A great introduction to green wood crafts, you will make a stool using hazel rods using mortise and tenon joints and split hazel; selecting suitable material; tool selection and maintenance; how to make mortise and tenon joint using different tools
Cost £85
12/03/2020 Blacksmithing - Taster Day 1 Day
The Old Prison, Fosse Way, Northleach, GL54 3JH, Cotswolds Conservation Board 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk/events/view/850/blacksmithing-taster-day
During the taster day you will learn about the blacksmith processes through a comprehensive introduction to the basics of blacksmithing. Various techniques will be demonstrated to show how it is done and then participants will be able to have a go themselves.
Cost £120.00
14/03/2020 Garden Mosaics 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/2NGCbgG
Create a double-sided mosaic suitable to be displayed in the garden.
Cost £55.00
14/03/2020 Spoon Carving 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/spoon-carving/
Spend a day in nature discovering the ancient art of spoon carving. This course is 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 to start carving, and with your own spoon!
Cost £65
16/03/2020 Nature Drawing in Pen and Ink 4 Days
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
This course is ideal for those that would like to keep a nature journal or sketchbook and/or want to explore the use of pen and ink in their working practice.
Cost £264.00
20/03/2020 Green Cleaning - Make your own Products 1 Day
Nower Wood, Mill Way, leatherhead KT22 8QA, Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk c-js.info/33JMNkJ
Learn to make environmentally friendly cleaning products and take them home with you.
Cost £35.00
21/03/2020 An Introduction to Nature Writing 1 Day
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
This one-day course will be a structured introduction to the popular genre of Nature Writing. You will draw inspiration from the natural environment at Kingcombe and study extracts from published nature writers to inform your own writing.
Cost £70.00
21/03/2020 Making Frame Baskets 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01660 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/making-frame-baskets/
The course is for anyone with an interest in basket making and traditional crafts and skills, no previous experience necessary! Your expert teacher Pippa Scott will guide you through traditional techniques to make your very own beautiful rustic frame basket, based on the Welsh Cyntell and Irish Sciathog.
Cost £65
23/03/2020 Hedgerow Basket Making Workshop 1 Day
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300 320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
Create your own basket, using materials foraged from the Kingcombe hedgerows.
Cost £80.00
26/03/2020 Blacksmithing - Taster Day 1 Day
The Old Prison, Fosse Way, Northleach, GL54 3JH, Cotswolds Conservation Board 01451 862000 ruralskills@cotswoldsaonb.org.uk www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk/events/view/851/blacksmithing-taster-day
During the taster day you will learn about the blacksmith processes through a comprehensive introduction to the basics of blacksmithing. Various techniques will be demonstrated to show how it is done and then participants will be able to have a go themselves.
Cost £120.00
28/03/2020 Traditional Timber Frame Joints 1 Day
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/traditional-timber-frame-joints/
Get to grips with the initial stages of constructing a timber frame. Learn about the tools and techniques used in marking and cutting joints with a hands-on practical workshop from CAT's Master Carpenter Carwyn Lloyd Jones.
Cost £90.00
28/03/2020 Timber measuring 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Designed for woodland owners, managers, agents and contractor's ability to calculate accurately timber volumes in standing trees, woodland compartments and road side stacks. Including: measurement conventions, useful equipment, calculate the height and volume of a standing tree, stratification and sampling principles, yield class, Tariff and abbreviated tariff measurements, stack measurements.
Cost £160
28/03/2020 Woodland Shelter Building 3 Days
Cravenarms, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Build a woodland structure out of round wood from start to finish. Including how to use a scribe, tool use, timer joinery, raising the structure. The structure can be tailored for a variety of different uses such as; an outdoor kitchen, green woodworking shelter, forest school activities shelter.
Cost £240
28/03/2020 Hurdle making 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Traditional woven hazel hurdle. Select and prepare suitable hazel, set a hurdle brace. Cleave hazel rods using a bill hook or riving post. Set the Zales and weave using a selection of material to build the hurdle. Finishing weave and snending. Each participant will make a hurdle to take home.
Cost £180
04/04/2020 Introduction to Pole Lathe turning 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Great opportunity to learn the basic principles and techniques of pole lathe turning to get you started, Tool selection, Wood selection, Forming a billet and using a shave horse, Setting up a pole lathe, Turning techniques to create a number of different products
Cost £85
04/04/2020 Introduction to Chainsaw use. 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
A practical hands on course designed for woodland owners and home owners who use a chainsaw on their own land. Including: Safe starting and stopping of a chain saw, choosing an appropriate model, Cross cutting techniques, Simple felling techniques, sharpening and maintenance, things that go wrong.
Cost £140
05/04/2020 Willow Weaving - Plant Support/Obelisk 1 Day
Denmark Farm, Betws Bledrws, Lampeter, Denmark Farm 01570 493358 info@denmarkfarm.org.uk www.denmarkfarm.org.uk/events/
During this workshop, you will make a practical plant support obelisk for use in the garden for beans, clematis, sweet peas, climbing roses etc. using locally grown prepared willow.
Cost £50.00
10/04/2020 Willow Bumble Bee Skep Making Workshop 1 Day
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300 320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
Create your own bumble bee skep out of willow and enjoy watching these fascinating pollinators live in your garden.
Cost £80.00
11/04/2020 Tree Spirit carving 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Learn whittling techniques to create a variety of objects including? your very own woody character using a process of knife cuts to release the?spirit?from the wood. You will be taught in a group around the fire circle, equipped with a sloyd knife and a piece of green wood
Cost £85
18/04/2020 Willow Hurdles 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Woven willow panels using hazel zales and willow weavers following a traditional Somerset pattern, Selecting, preparing and setting the zales, 3 main weaves and finishing. The panels make attractive garden screens and the skills learnt will allow you to continue with future projects. Everyone takes a wonderful hurdle home.
Cost £85
19/04/2020 Framed Hurdles 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Make a simple framed hurdle using ash or chestnut frame and hazel weavers. Framed hurdles make attractive screens for wheelie bins and compost areas. Selecting suitable wood; Split and cleave wood suitable for a frame; Mortise and Tenon joint; Weaving with hazel using round and split wood.
Cost £85
25/04/2020 Charcoal Making (Ring kiln and retort) 2 Days
Westonbirt Arboretumn, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Compare the two key charcoal and Bio-char making techniques using a ring kiln and retort methods. Working alongside a professional charcoal maker. Selecting a suitable site for a kiln, Prepare and grade suitable timber, Loading the kiln, Lighting and monitoring the burn, Closing the burn down, Unloading, grading and packaging
Cost £160
25/04/2020 Basket making 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Great opportunity to spend time with a professional basket maker. Tailored to suit a range of abilities for beginners, intermediates and experienced improvers. Baskets make the perfect gift and you can choose form a range of baskets depending on individual experience, including: Shopping baskets, log baskets and oval baskets.
Cost £140
25/04/2020 Bowl Turning 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Turn a bowl on a traditional pole lathe, from log to bowl. Understand the properties of different timbers suitable for bowl turning. Use a froe, axe to rough out your blank, a mandrel to mount your blanks and different types of hand made turning tools, finishing touches, drying and oiling.
Cost £120
27/04/2020 Timber Frame Self Build 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/timber-frame-self-build-2/
This practical, hands-on course gives you the opportunity to work on a real building project, where you'll learn a range of timber frame building techniques. Also included are talks on planning, ecological building materials and low energy homes.
Cost £700
01/05/2020 Willow Wigwam Garden Supports 1 Day
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300 320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
Create your own beautiful willow garden supports ready for the growing season.
Cost £90
02/05/2020 Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Mushrooms are a valuable food-source nutritionally, medicinally and environmentally. You will create your own oyster mushroom starter kit as well as a log inoculated with shitake mushrooms? to take away with you at the end of the course. This course will be run in collaboration with Mushrooms for the Masses.
Cost £85
05/05/2020 Build a Natural House 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/build-a-natural-house/
This course is a great introduction to learning a whole host of natural building techniques in a unique, supportive and inspiring environment. CAT's Master Carpenter Carwyn Lloyd Jones will guide you through an inspiring week where you'll explore all the basic elements of creating a natural earth building.
Cost £650
08/05/2020 Ash Splint basket 3 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Learn the full process of creating your own unique Ash Splint Basket. You will select appropriate wood and pound an Ash log to separate the growth ring layers. Process the ash splints and use different weaving techniques to create a basket. Taught by professional craft worker Andrew Kirby.
Cost £240
09/05/2020 Stained Glass Workshop 2 Days
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
Learn the beautiful craft of stained glass work including kiln fired glass painting and silver staining technique
Cost £191.00
10/05/2020 Timber Reduction - Log to Lath 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Learn how to process a felled tree using traditional tools and techniques. This will include splitting with wedges and cleaving using a froe, cleaving breaks and other devices to make cleft posts, rails, shingles and laths. The course will also cover timber reduction using a chainsaw mill.
Cost £85
15/05/2020 Coppice Products level 2 3 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
This course will cover a variety of coppice processes and products that are required to meet the OCN Level 2 standard. This is an ideal course for woodland owners, project officers and people seeking to add value to their woodland? resource. Splitting and cleaving, turning wood, weaving, charcoal making.
Cost £240
18/05/2020 Sustainable Building Materials 5 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/sustainable-building-materials/
Straw bale, timber, hemp, lime, earth - get to grips with a wide range of natural, low-impact materials in one intensive week of learning. Take part in hands-on workshops, in-depth lectures and interactive discussions, learning the theory and practice of green building from world-leading experts.
Cost £750
22/05/2020 Bushcraft and Forest Survival Skills 1 Day
Nr Exeter, Devon, Ecology Training UK 07818073660 ecologytraininguk@gmail.com www.ecologytraining.co.uk
Learn about how to make fire in several different ways, how to purify water and how to make a basic shelter. Includes foraging for edible and medicianal plants.
Cost £70.00
23/05/2020 Shave horse 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Traditional English Shave horse. The shave horse will be made to suit your size and comfort and will allow you to explore other greenwood crafts. You will learn: select suitable wood, cut and shape wood to correct dimensions, cutting mortice and tenon joints, making legs stable and level.
Cost £180
08/06/2020 Mindfulness in Woodland settings 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Explore and experience a variety of activities that will connect you with nature and it's benefits to physical and mental health and well-being. Learn the theory and practice of mindfulness and how its benefits are enhanced by being in a woodland. Learn a range of activities to enhance your creativity.
Cost £160
13/06/2020 Milking stool 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Using a single log you will make a simple traditional 3 legged stool with a shaped solid seat designed to meet your own style and specification. You will split, carve and shape the seat and legs, make strong mortice and tenon joints, Finishing and preserving.
Cost £75
04/07/2020 Cob Building 2 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/cob-building/
A natural building material that has been used around the world for hundreds of years, cob is a highly versatile way of building that can be sculpted to create beautiful, unique structures. Get to grips with the theory and practice of building with cob on this highly practical two-day course.
Cost £200
04/07/2020 Paddle making 2 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Work with boat builder and artist Clinton Chaloner to make a personalised paddle. Suitable for water enthusiast. use a single piece of cleft ash to craft a paddle suited to your needs. Select suitable wood, Split and cleave an ash blank, shape and fine finish using traditional hand tools.
Cost £180
11/07/2020 Introduction to Pole Lathe turning 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Great opportunity to learn the basic principles and techniques of pole lathe turning to get you started, tool selection, wood selection, forming a billet and using a shave horse, setting up a pole lathe, turning techniques to create a number of different products.
Cost £85
24/07/2020 A Way of Building: Using locally sourced materials 4 Days
Machynlleth, Wales, Centre for Alternative Technology 01654 704966 courses@cat.org.uk www.cat.org.uk/events/a-way-of-building-using-locally-sourced-materials/
Gain hands-on experience in designing and building a structure from scratch, working with wood, stone, straw and other natural materials. The course also explores the culture of making, and the contribution this makes to effective change for transitional communities in situations of scarce resources, particularly in informal urban settlements.
Cost £460
28/08/2020 Coracle making 3 Days
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Make your own Coracle and paddle. Learn techniques for bending ash laths to shape, nailing, clenching nails and fixing and tailoring the calico cover ready 3 coats of waterproofing with. You will leave with a finished coracle and paddle ready for the Coracle Regatta on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Cost £350
12/09/2020 Shrink Pots 1 Day
Greenwood Centre, Ironbridge, Small Woods Association 01952 432769 office@smallwoods.org www.smallwoods.org.uk
Using simple techniques and tools you will carve a drinking cup or pot using one piece of a greenwood branch. The base will be crafted from seasoned wood to allow the pot to shrink and seal. select suitable wood, tool selection and sharpening, carving and whittling techniques, Seasoning and finishing.
Cost £75
26/09/2020 Inspirational Nature Writing 1 Day
The Kingcombe Centre, Dorset Wildlife Trust 01300320684 hradice@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk www.kingcombe.org
Join published nature writers Anita Roy (A Year at Kingcombe) and Sara Hudston (Guardian Country Diary) for a day of practical writing exercises and inspiring readings.
Cost £80.00
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.