Saturday Rural Craft Courses
Thorney Lakes
(Courses we ran in 2023)
The rural craft courses will be held at the Green Scythe Fair Site on Saturday 8th June 2024.
Advance booking essential for all courses.
In addition to these, at the same venue, there is an Scythe Beginners Course on Saturday, and a two day Scythe Improver's Masterclass on Friday and Saturday. See Scythe Info for more details
RURAL CRAFT COURSES
Horses in Harness
An Introduction to the Working Horse. Preparing the horse, how to fit harness, preparing the load, communication, moving and manoeuvring. Care of the horse and tack. A chance to drive a single cob horse in shafts with either carriage, sled or trailer..
TIME
COURSE LEADER
Duration 1.5 hours
Samantha Jane Flounders
COST
£25.00
CONTACT
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Leather Axe Mask
Make a mask out of leather for your axe.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
11am
Roger Harrington
COST
£30
CONTACT
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Learn To Sew a Pair of Hemp Drawstring Trousers
Would you like to make your own clothing? This course will teach you how to make a simple pair of Hemp trousers that you can take home with you! You will learn to cut and sew a simple pair of drawstring trousers on a traditional hand crank singer sewing machine. This is includes 2 metres of organic hemp fabric dyed in a colour of your choice. (Please let me know in advance which colour you would like. Red/Blue or Green) I also will need some measurements of yours so that I can bring the appropriate pattern that you need.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am - 4pm
Ben Schulz
COST
£90
CONTACT
Contact for workshop specific questions:
–
Eco Poetry Writing Workshop
Two half-day poetry workshops: each offers a different approach to writing a poem, Sessions involve sensory and written exercises, and immersion in the natural world. Themes include ecology, landscape, and the heritage of haymaking and scything.
1. Zen and the Art of Writing a Poem.
Drawing on some of the writing methods used by the Beat Poets.
2. A Sense of Place.
Writing poems that draw on all things sensory as the inherent voice of landscape.
*A selection of poems prompted by these workshops will be displayed on the Green Scythe Fair website, later in the year (with each writer’s permission). Please bring your own notebook or paper, and pen.
Beginners or experienced writers are welcome.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–1pm
2pm–5pm
Lucy Lepchani
COST
£20
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Sharpening woodcarving and other edge tools
For anyone who wants to learn how to sharpen or to improve their sharpening. From gardening tools to kitchen knives and woodworking tools I can teach you to sharpen any tool. Bring your own tools and any sharpening stones etc. I can advise on your equipment. I will provide a large selection of most equipment on the market for you to try and use. Participants will be able to purchase Sharp, the definitive book on sharpening at 20 % off retail price on the day.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10:30am - 3:30pm
Sean Hellman
COST
£35
CONTACT
Contact for workshop specific questions:
Horse Driving
An introduction to driving horses with experienced horseman Jonathan Waterer. Horse care basics, harnessing and hands on driving with a pair of shire horses.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
Morning session: 9.30am–12.30pm
Afternoon session: 1.30pm–4.30pm
Number of placements: 16 per session
Jonathan Waterer
COST
£50
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Spoon Carving
How to carve a blank from a log, with an axe. How to carve a spoon from a blank, with a straight and curved.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–1pm
2pm–5pm
Jane Gray-Wallis
COST
£40
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
Make a Hay Rake
A half-day session in which learners will experience the processes involved in making a rake from green Ash which they can take away at the end of the session.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–1pm
2pm–5pm
Maurice Clother
COST
£50
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Bamboo Native American Flute Making
We will spend the day making a beautiful bamboo native American flute to take home with you tuned to minor pentatonic scale.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
9am–4pm
Greg Pow
COST
£110
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
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Make your own Earth Pigment Paints
Learn the slow and satisfying process of making your own watercolour paints. From foraging for rocks and earth, to grinding and binding, with plenty of time for experimenting with your paints on paper. Bring your creative play and practice into deep connection with the landscape around you, and come ready to get smashing. You will leave with your paints and the skills to carry on at home. You do not have to call yourself an artist to join!
All materials provided. Bring along your own gathered earth pigment to work with if you would like to.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–12pm
1pm–3pm
4pm–6pm
Kathryn John
COST
£25
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
Rope Making
Drop in workshop no booking required.
Make your own laid and twisted rope from natural yarn. Learn about braided rope.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–4pm
Ben Wood
COST
£5
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions:
Blacksmithing Workshop
One-to-one personal tuition learning the blacksmithing skills to make and forge your own poker, pendant, hook, bracelet or keyring. Please wear old clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Bring food and drink as its hot by the forge and you'll need to pace yourself if your not used to this sort of work. I'll be there to help and guide you step by step. Looking forward to forging with you.
TIME
COURSE LEADER
10am–4.30pm
Sam The Blacksmith
COST
£100
CONTACT:
Contact for workshop specific questions: