Cotswold Woodland Crafts - Green Woodworking - Courses, Demonstrations and Products

Courses in Green Woodworking

Since 2005 we have run green woodworking courses in woodland locations at Westonbirt Arboretum, Harcourt Arboretum, Cogges Museum, Thistledown Environmental Centre, Sherborne Estate and various other woodlands in the Cotswolds.

This year we have been given the opportunity to develop a woodland workshop and I am pleased to announce the courses in 2010 will be run at the Monastery Garden Woodland Workshop at Prinknash Abbey Park, near Painswick in Gloucestershire. Work is underway on clearing the workshop site and improving access. A basic shelter will be ready for courses in April 2010. Progress on this work will be published on this website.

Initially the woodland workshop will be a simple shelter protecting us from natural elements. A fire is lit to ensure a steady supply of tea. All the tools and equipment required during the courses will be provided but please feel free to bring along your own tools if you wish. Advice on tools and sharpening is given along with a list of suppliers of tools and a further reading list for those students who want to progress with their new interest.

Course Calendar - 2010

Cotswold Woodland Crafts are running the following green woodworking courses this year. These courses are appropriate for adult participants of any skill level, novice to expert. Under 16's must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Course locations

The Monastery Garden Woodland Workshop at Prinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucestershire, GL4 8EX.

The Woodchester Workshop at Southfield Road, North Woodchester, Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL5 5PA.

Cotswold Conservation Board, The Old Prison, Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire. GL54 3JH.

Booking

Courses can be booked by downloading, printing and filling in the booking form and post it with a cheque, payable to Cotswold Woodland Crafts, to Paul Hodgson at Weavers Cottage, Butterrow West, Rodborough, Stroud, GL53TZ.

Download booking form

Taster Day (Level - Novice)

Offers you an opportunity to "have a go" and see if green woodwork is for you. This one day course covers the basic skills of "bodging", traditionally used for the making of chair components. All the tools and pieces of equipment will be explained and the techniques of cleaving, trimming, shaving and turning practiced. Participants make items such as a dibber, rolling pin, spurtle, bat, honey drizzle etc.

Green Woodwork Introduction (Level - Novice)

This 2 day course starts with the basic skills of cleaving, trimming, shaving and turning on a pole-lathe. A variety of useful items such as a dibber, rolling pin, spurtle, bat, honey drizzle etc. will be made on the first day. The course continues with an introduction to drilling and the principles of joinery. You will improve on the basic skills and learn about what happens when wood dries out and experience the effects first hand while making a milking stool, peg rail or boot rack. This structured course is primarily about learning skills and achieving a general knowledge of aspects of green woodwork.

Green Woodwork Weekend (Level - Intermediate)

For the student with an understanding of the craft this course allows for consolidation and improving skills learned on previous courses. A less structured course that allows students to be more creative and undertake more advanced projects of their own choice. Students in the past have made the following: stool, rustic coffee table, pole-lathe, shave horse, rattle, tool handle, sheep hurdle. More ambitious projects, such as a chair, could be made over a number of weekends. An additional material charge may be made for the undertaking of more advanced projects. Feel free to contact us to discuss your project prior to booking.

Gate Hurdle Making (Level - Novice/Intermediate)

This course teaches the making of 6ft or 4ft sheep hurdles in the traditional way. All components are split out from green ash logs, trimmed and shaved down. Mortice joints cut and the hurdle assembled. Although previous experience is not required this is a physically demanding course.

Make a Pole-Lathe (Level - Intermediate)

This course offers students with some basic woodworking knowledge and an understanding of green woodwork the chance to make their own pole-lathe and learn how best to set it up. The price of this course includes all the materials for softwood legs, hardwood bed and poppets and a bungee frame. The lathe is a knock-down design that can be transported in most cars. If time permits a hands on tool sharpening session is available. Due to the amount of bench work required for this project the course is held in a workshop. All tools required are provided.

As an alternative students wanting to make a pole-lathe can join a Green Woodwork Weekend and make this as an advanced project.

Make a Shave Horse (Level - Intermediate)

This is not a specific course but people wanting to make their own shave horse can join a Greenwood Weekend course and make this as an advanced project. We advise that you have some green woodwork experience before tackling this project. There is a lot of physical axe/adze, drawknife and turning work involved.

Field Gate Making (Level - Novice/Intermediate)

This course teaches the preparation, component manufacture and assembly of a traditional 5 rail diamond braced field gate. Three students will work in a group to make an 8ft oak gate. Each student will learn and practice marking out, cutting mortice & tenon and halving joints, peg making etc. Finally the gate is assembled and the fitting of catches and hinges discussed. Please contact us if you would like your own gate to be made by the group or you require further instruction in how to hang a gate of this type.

Tool Making (Level - Novice/Intermediate)

This course teaches the making and mending of wooden hand tools i.e. Besom broom, Hay Rake, Mallet, Maul and handles for chisels, axes, froe, adze etc. An additional material charge may be made for the undertaking of more advanced projects.