Kyrgzstan trip to Nomad games August / September.

On the way to the games we arranged to meet a Kyrgyz Yurt maker – the real thing!

 

Roof poles are steamed and then straightened.

 

He makes all his own tools – note the toothed drawknife for the tradition pattern.

 

The brake has a heavy metal vertical tube and a lever.

 

They are then put into a clamp to harden up.

 

The side poles are also steamed and bent by eye and the bark is removed whilst soft.

The former for the tunduk – brickwork and metal poles. The material is pretty thick and steamed for a long time before it is pulled round the curve using a ratchet winch. We did see a single round pole about 80mm dia, that had been used for this. Must of steamed it for a week!

 

  

Made in two halves and then jointed. After that it is drilled and the square holes are burnt in using a heavy bar.

The quarters represent the seasons and the three bars months.

The assembled side (1/4). Traditionally rubbed with local reddish brown clay but now painted red.

The slats are drilled and held together using rawhide that is knotted, pulled through with a wire loop then knotted again. The knife makes a longitudinal slit it is cut to length and the end pulled through to make a knot each side.









The completed side sections for a standard 6m yurt. Note that the curve flips out at the top. The long woven band sits in this and ties to the door frame.


















The roll down door is made from very strong grass and the pattern is wool that is wrapped around each individual stalk in a traditional pattern.

This frame assembles the stalks into a mat used for doors and yurt linings. Note the stone weights to maintain tension.

The guy we met makes 4 yurts a year – I think this is largely due to other commitments during the summer. Probably looking after livestock and growing their feed and well as his own food.

4^th Berkhampsted Beer and music festival and comedy night 27-28^th April

Stumbled into this event after an event washout. 

What a great atmosphere and some excellent ales and ciders.

 

Great entertainment – have never worked out how the finances work out, are the groups doing it for nothing?

Molly and the beekeepers.

 

  Tinlin

   

 And their main man on his own.

Great fun and would go again, easy parking in the street.

Monday 6^th August at White Chimney Wood Benenden.

 

The planning committee for the chair in a day event due to be held on the 20^th. The plan is to fell the tree first! If you want get involved then contact the usual suspects.

 

Damien was making a bowl making / general purpose big wood bench from chestnut with 2” legs. His axe was German – very similar to a Roman axe.

 

Keith was using the steaming equipment to form some fresh willow.

Carol’s spinning wheel – made by Keith of course!

Some practice pieces for the big chair day.

  More skills being tested.

Thanks go again to John Burbage for the use of his resources.

 Etchingham Makers Fair  22^nd July

On the Alpacafest weekend I visited John Burbage at this event held at a garden centre near Lewis. It was a roasting hot day but business was good.

 

Amy was busy with some new products for sale.

I have forgotten this guy's name - he had some really bowls and lots more.

  

This lady (who knows Marion and Carol) had a travelling loom – great kit but it was £1000

 

This folding spinning wheel was amazing.

Ringmer Steam Fair 28/9^th July Nr. Lewis Sussex

 

Mike Gordon making stool legs for a commission for Hillary Plant with a few leftovers

 

 

Not sure what Andrew was making.

 

Bumped into Phil  who has a shop the Old English Tool shop at Monks Granary, Standard Quay Faversham harbour. He lost a gazebo in the overnight storm.

The Anchor pub –  home made scotch eggs are great and they also do their own speciality picked eggs – I liked the beetroot.

 

Mike and Andrew deep in discussion!

The horrendous weather did not improve sales or help visitor numbers. This was not the event for us and will be looking for an alternative for next year. However - thanks to the organizers who gave us the opportunity.

Wednesday 18^th July at Fairlop Woodturners in Dagenham.

This was the first proper hands on meeting since our move. We now have six working lathes (one next door). The pillar drill and stand is the next bit of kit to complete.

 

We have four lathes down one side, with a Graduate on the other.

John Houghton was probably the first member to make something in the new workshop!

I think this was from magnolia.

Graham Pook a close second with this oak whistle.

 

The allotmenteers (we share their facilities) are a friendly bunch. I opened the security gates to let one out and this was his tip!

What a well-attended restart to our group. Many thanks go to John Brotherton our chairman who put so much work into the workshop build.

Our thanks also to the Worshipful Company of turners and the AWGB who contributed to our moving and workshop building expenses.

Eleveden Country Show IP24 3TD 7/8^th July

 

Another Quintessentially British Events / Classic Festival and Events. 

Great to meet up with friends Dave and Sue (stick makers).

Dave believes in passing on his skills to a younger generation.  This young lady was impressive!

 

Dave had three trainees over the weekend – that the way to do it!

Kevin Philpott normally match fishing at the weekend was carving ducks – I love ducks and so would you if you saw them.

 Great craftsman and his wife makes bullrushes!

   Decoy ducks and Shorebirds –      kelvinphilpott1@hotmail.co.uk

Bob has it! No matter how difficult the circumstances he attracts punters. Willow weaving and not a basket in sight!

Mrs Philpott’s bull rushes to the right.

Bumped into Mike Lish who has a stump removal business in East Anglia he has wood to give away to a good cause - i.e. green woodworkers. If you are interested -  info@bltz-a-stump.co uk

Well, a very difficult weekend if you were a trader. Football (England) at 3.00pm so everyone left! Traders closed up early and enjoyed some great local discounted cider and a big screen (care of the event organisers).  Extreme heat kept the public away on Sunday but the organisers take this on the chin. It won’t put me off next year. Met some very interesting people and made some more useful contacts.