Visit to Shepard Neame Brewery 13^th March

 

One of their new stainless steel mash tuns cleverly disguised as barrels! – well not really they like to hang on to examples of earlier technology.

Refurbishing the mash tuns left  a huge hole in their building which led to a couple of new windows being commissioned.

Happily giving an opportunity to show the history of the brewing process in the stained glass.

 

 This grain crusher was bought second hand many years ago and is still going strong.

 

Shepard Neame were the first brewery in the country to use a steam engine – this is one of two they still keep going.

They used to be known as the steam brewery.

 

They  have a historical collection of delivery vehicles.

 

They have some connections with spitfires. Hence the name for one of their beers, they also donate a percentage of their sales to the  Royal Air force benevolent fund.

I can recommend the brewery tour and the tasting afterwards. This appeared to be a great family business doing much to support their workers and past workers as well as the local community.

 Seat weaving day at Eden green with the Kent group 10^th March

 

Needless to say there was a lot more then seat weaving going on  – the number of spinners is on the up!

 

Great to see Gill Swan and Phil Kara again seems like ages! Looking forward to another weekend in her woods in June.

Harry gave a demonstration in the use of rush seating using a family heirloom that he worked on as a teenager.

 

This young man was fresh from a seat making  with Tim Stevenson (Nunhead Cemetery).

 

Amy brought a very long stool!

 

Paul Shubshaw from the South London group (based at Brockwell Park).

 

Keith Leonard having far too much fun with a home-made stool.

 

Amy getting some assistance. John Burbage was leaning on the first stool he ever made.

 

Robin Etheridge was carving green men.

Another very interesting Kent winter meet with so many different thing going on. Thanks as usual to Phill and John Burbage for organising all the resources available for the very lucky people who were able to go.

The next Kent meeting is the White Chimney Wood (Burbage Towers) 27/8^th April.

Sunday 10^th February Adze and shrink pot day Benenden with the Kent group.

A good turnout on a chilly at times winter day. The Burbage Towers car park was full. Phill has many more photos. I was busy helping the bowl makers.

Next up is the seat weaving day – if your going let Phill know (resources).

10^th March at Benenden.

Blacksmiththing in Sri Lanka

I was traveling north of Negombo and went through a small town that had a few toolshops in the street. Had to stop and talk to them which proved a minor challenge due to my technical questions and lack of Sinhalese. They to make cutting tools from leaf springs!

Am still trying to load the correct video!

Saturday 12^th January Kent group bow and arrow day at Iden Green community hall.

 

Pete Rippingale was doing a bow and arrow making day.

We were split up into three groups making the bow, arrows and the string.

Harry and Phill were in the first arrow making session.

I was lucky to be inside (in the warm) on my shave horse bow making with Keith Leonard

The more hardy souls were outside - including Robin Etheridge.

Josie Leake was also making a bow along with the chap below.

Great to see new youngsters.

Harry later on – making his bow.

Amy was giving spoon tuition to another new member, as well as supporting the rest of the spooners.

Good to see Mike Church out and about – taking a break from his chestnut work.

Carole – as ever busy either recruiting baking or needle felt some lagamorphia!

There were some other activities going on - wool spinning, lacemaking, John Burbage was carving.

Pete filing the knocks in the end of a bow.

  

Phill was the first to finish everything – well no surprise really.

What a great day – plenty of new members, lots of different activities, nice warm workshop, good company. The Kent group in full swing!

My thanks to lots of them – it takes many hands to make this work.

Their next activity is an adze day at Benenden 10^th February.

 January Visit to Slough House Woods Binacre Essex

It’s always a pleasure to visit Katie Abbott in her wood, especially when Olvin and Nic Smith along with Will Wall and Sue Holden are visiting.

Olvin brought some hi speed eggs from his own flock on Coll – note the aerodynamic shape.

 

Well, we were all helping with the coppicing, I was amazed at how hard Katie works!

 

Nic was in charge of brash burning.

 

Will was transport director organizing removal and stacking of  timber, placed according to species, size and water content (one of the felled trees was dead standing – suitable as firewood).

Olvin was the chainsaw guy – so glad is was not me, that looked like seriously hard work!

 

Never though I could catch two bodgers on their phones at the same time and table! 

Perhaps they were texting each other.

 

Our hearty lunch outdoors – everyone shares what they bring.

That was the best fun I have had this year!

It was cold but bright – happy to be doing something physical to keep warm. Although I spent most of my time driving a dump truck it still had to be loaded and unloaded.