Suitable for: Beginners, improvers, professionals
Considerations: Physically demanding, partially outdoors
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available throughout the day. We also have a fantastic on-site cafe, Embers, run by local chef Shropshire Lad.
What to wear: Sturdy shoes, clothes that you can get messy
What to bring: Cordless drill if you own one
The course:
Ideal for anyone who wants to begin learning or build on their existing green woodworking skills! Designing and assemble a bendy hazel chair from coppice hazel rods, using a drill, saw and hammer. No woodworking experience is necessary and you will be guided through the whole process. The finished product is both comfortable and attractive, and makes a ideal piece of furniture for your porch, conservatory or garden.
Just make sure you have space in (or on) your car to take your chair home!
You will learn:
- How to consider design and comfort
- How to select hazel rods
- Bending and nailing rods together
- How to assemble a base frame
- Pilot hole drilling and nailing
Tutor: Maurice Clother
Maurice began his green woodworking career in 1990, learning hurdle making from Ken Gaulton in Hampshire.
He then studied forestry at Bangor, completing a dissertation titled "Underwood Industries Past, Present and Future" through which he met and learned from a number of seasoned crafts people including Bill Hogarth, Hugh Roberts, Mike Abbott, Hal Wynne Jones and Gerwyn Lewis.
BSc(Hons) forestry, PTLLS teaching qualification, Forest School Leader (Level 3)
Associate member of ICF Member of APTGWW
"I love the simplicity of ancient woodworking techniques, harvesting green wood and making it into useful and attractive products. Although the tools are very basic, often unchanged since the iron age, there's a lot of skill to be developed in using them. I enjoy sharing my passion with eager learners."