Cleaving,
using the froe
During
the annual Development Week, now in
its twentieth year,
we
will wake the workshop up from its winter sleep.
This year we will completely rebuild the cooking
facilities, including the raised open fire,
the clay oven and the drying kiln
In
the workshop we will build some new pole lathes,
shave horses and storage.
Shiela
Wynter will lead the sculptural willow weaving for
screens and walkways and we will continue to upgrade
some of the greenwood huts.
The
week will involve some hard work, possibly in the
cold and wet, but should prove a fascinating experience
and there will be plenty of fun and good company.
Co
tutored by Doug Joiner, there will be opportunities
for projects in neighbouring Childer Wood. The
fee covers the cost of all food and camping is
free.
Turning
on a pole-lathe
Bowl turning
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An ideal taster
for beginners to become familiar with the basic tools and
techniques of green
woodwork. Starting from the freshly felled tree you will
learn to cleave the wood with axes and wedges, and shape
it further with drawknives before turning it on the pole-lathe.
You will also learn what to look for when buying tools,
how to sharpen them, what woods are best to use, and more.
Expect to leave with a stool or several turned items such
as candlesticks, spoons, tool-handles, baby-rattles or
a
project of your choice.Courses are 2 1/2 days.
Using
the side axe
There
may be opportunities for selected skilled volunteers to
assist on courses or contribute their cooking skills throughout
the season.
There are no payments but
food and camping is free. Volunteers often stay for the
whole season because it is such a superb opportunity to
develop their green wood and teaching skills to a high
standard
To
apply please send a letter of application with
a brief CV to Gudrun at the contacts below.
Possible
volunteers will be asked to attend the Development
Week in April as part of the selection process.
Using
the drawknife on the shave-horse
Bowl
Lathe Making and Bowl Turning (5 days)
Not
available in 2013, check in 2014 for possible dates
Tutor;
Ben Orford
This five day course provides an opportunity to learn
bowl
turning skills. Tutor Ben Orford will share his specialist
knowledge of bowl turning and tool making, starting with
the construction of a Viking style lathe. You have the
opportunity to build your own bowl lathe using sawn and
cleft timber and Ben's hand forged hard ware. For the
remaining days you will learn the range of skills involved
in bowl and platter turning under Ben's expert tuition.
There
is a materials charge for the pole lathe and for
the specialist metal work.
Ben
Orford completed a three year coppicing, green woodwork
and chair making apprenticeship with us in Clissett Wood
in 1999. He soon added bowl turning and tool making to
his impressive portfolio and has since built an enviable
reputation as a highly accomplished bowl turner, tool
maker and teacher.
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