Sunday 23^rd October at a Leatherworking day with the Kent group at Iden Green Kent

 

Dave Dunk sewing new leather bellows components together. 

He has recently acquired a forge and will be dabbling with the dark arts and charcoal before long I expect.

 

Harry Rogers giving advice to one of the many budding sheath makers.

 

Keith was experimenting with Phill Piddell’s leather punches making patterns.

Barster was giving a master class in sewing I think – as you can see this event was very well attended, not surprising since it was a nice cosy working environment.

 

When he was not helping people, Harry was busy working on of his high quality belts.

I took this version of my stitching pony to see if it could be useful for the next leather day which is about making beer tankards. I made this some time ago as I was working my way through ‘The Art of Hand Sewing Leather' by Al Stohlman. I am amazed that so many beginners have not heard of it.

Thanks to Phill and John Burbage for organising the event.

Monday 16^th Side trip to Sandwich – a medieval town on the Kent coast

 

I had time to kill whilst my van was getting an MOT.

Many old buildings and a really interesting layout. Worth another, much longer visit.

I finished off my trip with a visit to The Crown Inn Sarre  - a well known cherry brandy house to pick up a bottle.

Without my van my last leg was by train Ashford to Stratford in 38 minutes at 140 MPH!

Standen Road Applefest at Iden Green Kent Sunday 15th October

This was a PR exercise organised By Phill Piddle who was supposed to be there. Mind you, he was visiting Brogdale Apple fest earlier in the day as I promised to leave him some cider.

This was the local ukulele group – their singing was entertaining.

Jeremy Cox and daughter were also in attendance making spoons from Applewood. I was busy making holes in a large piece of holly and a few wands. 

Brogdale Apple Festival Faversham Kent 14^th October

I have never been before, but have fancied demonstrating at some different types of events. Fortunately this trip bore fruit! So next year I will be there for both days.

This lady was giving a good demonstration of all the gear you need to make your own apple juice or cider.

They were also selling Wooly Pig cider. I tasted everything – it was forced upon me! But their own dry cider was by far the best.

The names comes from feeding the pressed fruit to pigs!

 

As you would expect at am apple fest – loads of different varieties. A figure of 1000 different varieties was mentioned!

 

Having read Wildwood by Roger Deakin (a must read if you haven’t) – the one thing I do know about apples is that they all originated from one place - the Tien Shan Mountains in Kazakhstan.

Somewhere I hope to visit next year maybe.

 

As with most events the food and drink vendors were having a good time. This one caught my eye.       A bar inside a VW microbus; sounds as if it could be a line from a Woody Guthrie song.

Brogdale has events all year round - checkout their website.

On the way down to the Apple festival at Brogdale I found this gem in Selling.

The Rose & Crown Faversham ME13 9RY

Big car park which is also the entrance to Perry Wood.

It also has my two favourites – Adnams and Harvey’s.Great food too

 

Arrived just in time to collect chestnuts off the floor and trees.

This was in the bar – can anyone identify what he has strung round his shoulder? – must be something to do with hop production.

I want to live in this house; opposite the pub!

Check out the website for some great pictures - like this one.

It also has good parking and the locals are friendly.

Thursday 12^th October Fairlop Woodturners off the High Road in Chingford

We have lost our school venue and are in temporary accommodation - an engineering workshop in Chingford owned by one of our members.

Martin Saban – Smith was our demonstrator. Check out his YouTube channel.

 

One of our new members Ligla Rodrigues with the finished piece.

We are in discussions with a group that runs a community garden / allotment project in Dagenham our new (hopefully) venue and should have a decision one way or another in a months’ time.

October 7/8^th Autumn Countryside Show – at the Weald & Downland Museum Singleton Sussex

 

Andrew Coleman with special forked pole supports that he acquired from Bob Thomas at the ball. Apparently there  was a pile of them.

 

Don’t often see forks – this one owned by Adam Leake that he got at Spoonfest this year. That blue handle does however look like Amy’s work.

I was borrowing some fire for my tandoori chicken from Steve Wright who was using a cordless leaf blower to fan the fire!

 

 

Mike Church and his friend were baking using this impressive setup.

More of his famous cherry cakes were in production, warm cake straight from the oven – yum!

I was set up next to this gentleman who Sue Reeve signed up for membership there and then.

So welcome to Andrew Byham – our latest member.

I am not sure as to the significance of this gentleman – maybe just a scarecrow. Reminiscent of the Motts Mill competition seen on this blog.

 

I wonder if he trains sheep as well.

 

Good to see Nancy – time off from witching to make cordage.

 

Yet another bowyer – this time with some throwing arrows. I believe he is the chairman of the Sussex coppice group.

Another great Autumn Show. The plan is to hold our Bodger's Ball here next May