Wanstead 19^th May

Got my clogs from Jeremy Atkinson –

I had a fitting at the Ball and am now a proud owner. These are  my first hand made shoes. Very comfortable.

The moral of the story is that unless you use scarce tradesmen we will lose them and their wares.

A few days after this I found out we have another clog maker in the bodgers – Michael Cahill Yorkshire – check out his website.

Our 25^th Bodgers Ball with the National Trust Tyntesfield Wraxall North Somerset 6/7/8^th May

 

Largely organised and run by the Somerset Bodgers based on site.

This year we had pre-ball courses on the Friday, the idea being that not only was it an additional service to members but it made attendance perhaps a bit more affordable for the tutors, some of which had a distance to travel.

Shariff Adams one to one bowl lathe tutoring.

Jo, having left Orlando holding the baby!

Sean Hellman running a sharpening workshop – I have been on one.

Plenty of bowl lathes in the marquee

Paul Bradley with his leather working workshop.

Jo, Orlando and Kai with Richard Andersen.

Good to see Mike Abbott again, what a great demonstrator, always draws a crowd – for good reason, our chief, almost a patron saint!

Jeremy Atkinson my clogmaker! – doing a laid back camera interview.

I had my first fitting and hope to get them soon.

  

The Somerset group’s work area at Tyntesfield. 

What a great set up, secure tool store, large covered work area and a great position in front of the main entrance to the cowshed / shop / café.

Kent group log to leg racing team - Burbage, Piddell and Leonard.

Log to leg individual champion Peter Wood who on this occasion was second, beaten by Kevin Downing.

The 2016 Ball cake made by Catriona Daynes from Cherry Wood and other venues. This was cut by the winner of the individual log to leg, thus by tradition signifying the end of the Ball!

And what a tasty coffee cake is was!

Well great weather for a Ball, Good turnout as well. Just liked to thank all those involved for their hard work - and that is an awful lot of people. Big events, big effort from a big support system.

Bushcraft Magasine meeting Egerton Forstal Kent  29^th April / 2^nd May

 

Richard ‘roundhouse’ known for them and of course his bentwood chairs, well also hurdles it would seem.  Always good company and a mine of useful information – if you ask.

Will Lord in mufti and Jill Swan

 

Phil and his fire eating dog with their new Reindeer hide.

Kaos blacksmiths have added another pet to the menagerie – the Harris Hawk

Will Lord and company entertain as always – their stone age man timeline is a riot.

There was a children’s competition to make accessories for the stone age action man – forgot what they called it (age thing).

He was so impressed that he was very generous by inviting all the contestants to his home to spend a day with him having fun. During the weekend he ran loads of free workshops for flint knife making.

This young man was with the goodmoodfood@live.co.uk food van, was a great carver and had a really cool home-build motorhome.

 

Smoked rabbit from the cook!

Steve the organiser was a great host – here he was doing the morning briefing.

Jill Swan gave me a piece of Osage – not too sure if it was related to Osage Orange N. America

Resinous and pretty, will see how it dries.

Late evening shot of Jill's new van and Phil’s pole lathe set-up. – before all the fun (no shavings).

Another great weekend with the Bushcraft guys. I go to the big event with a few bodging friends – the Wilderness Gathering in August – a much bigger affair at the Bison Farm west Knole. Good to meet many old friends.