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.

Berkshire group at Little Hidden Farm 20-03-16

Unusual way to finish the strap on an axe case.

There are some very talented people in this group.

 

The picture I failed to get was of a shrink pot made from just bark and woven vertically.

The spoon sets were very well done.

Another interesting shrink pot.

I finished my visit in the farmhouse with their host Bill Acworth. We spent some time watching nesting Barn Owls on a monitor in the kitchen.  They have been hosting owls for years but the was the first high tech.

Chris Allen has been in charge of the group since its inception but is now having to step down due to work comments – happily his green woodworking commitments.  

 Not sure where this was but it was on the way the Coaley.

These two huge early tenement blocks I think .

.

 

I think the lambing season is here.

Visit to the Gloucester group Coaley 20-03-16

I was hiding indoors in the warm helping some of the group with their leatherwork.  Jo is no slouch on leatherwork and  I hope I was some help. 

Bad bit of timing though, I missed the lunch that Jo Attwool was delivering to the group.

At Jeremy Atkinson’s clog shop Kington  –  at last!

Jeremy I think has owned this shop in one of the main streets of Kington for 33years. 

Great location and very close to the  Oxford Arms pub - good for parking!

I think this is a Singer 37K – just the job for stitching tight curves on shoes and on clogs of course.

It has a small frontage and his work area (below) is the front window. JoJo is sorting tools in the back.

So I wanted to see them both to find out how things are going – JoJo is learning the craft part time 

from Jeremy.

 

Well she has made her first pair of clogs for herself, really should have acquired the image. She is very pleased but as we all do there are things to work on for the next pair.

Before I left I got myself measured for a pair. So maybe I could be lucky for a Ball delivery.

I called in to a St Michael’s Church on the banks of the Wye in Tintern on the way to the clogmaker

Although unremarkable in architecture there is normally something really pretty to be found – in this case the stained glass, presumably donated by the family mention at the bottom.

Although the internal lighting was probably masking a spectacular roof construction which I totally missed!

St Michael’s stands by the River Wye at the site of an important Roman river crossing where by the year 765AD there was a Celtic Christian church, some 350 years before the foundation of Tintern Abbey, its famous neighbour. A medieval church replaced it and this was eventually rebuilt in 1846, although much medieval detail remains today. The dedication to St Michael the Archangel, a favourite of soldiers, is particularly appropriate in this land of historic border conflicts.

Tintern Abbey – wonderful  I think it just needs a good roofer – it certainly would preserve the life if the stonework.

 Hereford – also on the way to Kington

I found this hardware / old tool shop completely by accident.

The owner was passionate about proper old English tools. Sadly he was not interested in anyone else’s’ views. The arrival of a customer allowed me to make a quick exit.

Ye Old Tavern Kington (nearly there)

The new owners have been busy with new windows but have not altered the internal features.

Great local beer but no lunchtime food and these country pubs have opening (or should I say closing) hours!

Flying visit to Cherry Wood Project 18-03-16

The roundhouse with straw bale walls started during the last project week is slowly progressing even during the winter, thanks probably to the volunteers who come every Thursday throughout the year.

If you have never been - this is a must do venue.

Tim’s young puppy has grown a bit since my last visit in October.

One of the reasons for calling in was to check on the specification for the new cooker hood in the dining area - my job for project week.

I also managed to visit  Ollie and Lillie Weight in Box – they are expecting in August !