The Chiltern group meeting at Stocking Springs 28-03-15

 

Amongst other things, Richard and the group were making Ash wood splints for weaving baskets. 

It looks very brutal but I was assured that the club hammer was necessary to break the annular rings up.

You can see clearly from this image that it works and in fact it gets progressively easier as the blows break the bonds through more than one year! Note the second break.

Do love an unusual craft book and this was no exception.

I have never slept in one but a bender looks like a very efficient, strong structure. If you carried a tarp and a groundsheet it could be fun even in Winter – you could gather vegetation for insulation.

A great project for kids.