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.

 Cherry Wood project week 20-04-16

 

Arrived on Wednesday afternoon. The main activity was the new timber framed workshop, replacing the old one.

The timbers were cut during the timber framing course held last week.

I have never seen this done before – the frames are assembled on trestles and have to be perfectly level before it will go together and then the oak pegs are hammered in.

Third frame erected, note all the guy ropes and the windlass on the feet.

The team lifting process was very well orchestrated and strictly supervised by Tim who is the only person allowed to talk – big eye on safety here.

Topping out ceremony held on Saturday. The structure complete. Ropes off, rafters on and a temporary tarpaulin as the roof – next season or project week  a more permanent roof will be added.

As well as a barrel of beer from his neighbour, there was a feast - roast pork (reared on site) , gravy (total understatement) mashed potatoes and apple sauce.

As well as much merriment and music from those very talented volunteers.

View from the aerial toilet down the slope – a carpet of wild garlic (often consumed at this time of year).

View from the loo towards the main path off which everything is built – note the cable stayed walkway.

Have tied to make up a panoramic view showing the  front view of the new building.

Business as usual on Sunday morning – Elm bark harvesting.

The Elm would have died off next year so it is cut now and then it coppices back again and again – very sustainable.

 

Chefs special – poached egg with wild Garlic.

Hangover cure or healthy start to the day?

Ex apprentice Lloyd discussing the curing of a badger pelt with another ex apprentice Ollie.

 

The new kitchen shelter without extractor.

 

Kitchen with extractor. I was asked to make this, it really needs a much bigger flue – it did remove a lot of smoke but not all.

I take my hat off to the roundhouse cobb renderers who had a very messy week and some cold feet.

The external walls are nearly done and should be finished this season.

Saturday was also Deb’s birthday and the new live in cook made the cake – and what a cake decorated with edible flowers - Tim and Willow in attendance.

Well I had a great time as usual and met many new bodgers and some very talented timber framers. Thank you Cherry Wood. If you have never been, then this is the place to visit. They have another project week at the end of the season or you are welcome any Thursday which is their regular volunteer day.

Craftega Sutton Hoo      9/10-04-16

So this was the second year with the Wimpole Lathers and without Simon Damant! Could the group survive on its own?

Jim McVittie had a rest from his marathon bowl turning, supposed to be one a week but he has been enjoying it far too much (105.5 I think to date).

This gave John a window to start his bowl turning from scratch. Well the face says it all!






Pole lathes never cease to attract people and the Wimpole Lathers are used to entertaining the crowds.

An early morning shot across our frontage towards the house (with lovely warm toilets).


We were also given access to their staff resources in the main building and made use of their very well equipped kitchen – toaster and microwave!

Ollie Brunton a local bodger with some very interesting goods.

Plenty of people dressed in Saxon attire.

The weather followed a similar pattern for this time of year – very poor on Saturday which of course somewhat depleted the numbers. Sunday started very well and clouded up in the afternoon, however no rain and more public. 

Amongst many others, I met a very interesting 82 year old local canoeist.

Tony Hague was his usual understated spectacular self on the lathe.

One of our  American members was in his element and enjoying every minute.

On the way to the event there were many large signs advertising the Framingham Fair (on the same weekend), however none for Craftega, would make you think we had the wrong weekend.

The organisation and set-up was great, we were made very welcome by the people on the ground. 

I think they may wish to think about more local advertising if they want to attract more public, maybe they don't.