Tuition
Using Bygone Country Skills a tree can be convered into beautiful and practical everyday objects such as bowls, troughs, ladles, spoons, knives, pegs, chairs, stools, benches, coat racks, garden tools, and treen. These are all examples of my finished produce.
There are four very important steps you need to learn in order for you to produce your own masterpieces. Once you understand these principles you will use them in part, or for all your chosen projects with confidence, and realism. My aim is to pass on Bygone Country Skills in a relaxed atmosphere where you can develop at your own speed and in a direction of your own choice. You will learn the four steps of:
Cleaving (splitting the wood with a Froe)
Trimming (rough shaping with a Hand Axe)
Shaving (finer shaping with a Drawknife)
Turning (final shaping on a Foot-Powered Lathe)
A Lathe, Shaving Horse, Chopping Block and set of tools will will be provided for each person.
For those who wish to, there is a covered area put aside for cooking and eating. During your breaks, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
All this takes place in a peaceful wooded setting, allowing you to relax and get away from it all.
If you would like to book tuition
One Day Workshop
The workshop will be open from 9.30am - 4.30pm daily (booking is essential). There will be a talk on gaining respect for the tools you intend to use, before you start your chosen project. I will also assess your skill level and advice on project choice. The emphasis is on learning the basic skills in order to progress, with a good understanding and at your own pace. Learn how to make chair parts, spoons, ladles, butter knives, bowls, plates, door handles. These are a few of the things you can choose to make. All tools will be provided. Whilst I almost exclusively use bygone tools and methods myself, I still see the need for some people to use more modern tools, devices and methods. Those wishing to use these can do so without prejudice. Whatever your skill level I can create a method of working that suits you.
All you need to bring along is your lunch. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
Cost: £55 for the day
Suprise a family member or a friend and book a course as a gift!
If you would like to book tuition at a One Day Woodcarving Workshop
Two Day Woodcarving Workshop
I offer woodcarving courses incorporating the safe practise of working with hand tools such as, axes, knives and gouges. Items you can choose to make include, spoons, spreaders, spatulas, hooks and door handles.
Courses are built around safety first. So, there will be a talk on gaining respect for the tools you intend to use, before you start your chosen project. I will also teach you which sections of wood are used and for what reason - It’s no good having a beautifully carved spoon from a poor selection of wood.
Course Details: Weekdays or Weekends are available.
Courses run over a two day period and will start at 9.30am and finish at 4.30pm, on both days. You will need to supply your own lunch. I will provide biscuits, tea, coffee & squash throughout the day.
Work is carried out in a conservation area. I also have a small workshop from which to teach, should the weather be of a disadvantage.
(I will give you a specialist woodcarving knife together with some wood for you to keep at the end of the course)
Cost: £124 per person
Why not book a course for a family member or a friend as a gift!
If you would like to book tuition at a Two Day Woodcarving Workshop
One Day Introduction To Basket Making Workshop
After many requests for basket making courses, I have decided to offer an introduction to the basics, to get you started. It is my intention to guide you through techniques and procedures needed to produce a small basket, which you will be undertaking as your course project. You will of course be able to take home what you make.
Course Details: Weekdays or Weekends are available.
The day will start at 9.30am and finish at 4.30pm. You will need to supply your own lunch. I will provide biscuits, tea, coffee & squash throughout the day. Work is carried out in a conservation area. I also have a small workshop from which to teach, should the weather be of a disadvantage.
Cost: £55 per person
Why not book a course for a family member or a friend as a gift!
If you would like to book tuition at a One Day Intro Basket Workshop
