Pre Moot courses

[Tony]

Hi All, we've got a couple of courses arranged for the 1st -3rd August on the Moot site before the Moot event.

We have a Certified Wilderness First Aid course being run by Wayne of Forest Knights bushcraft school, Wayne's got a fine reputation and regularly runs our first aid courses.
This will run between Monday the 1st Aug and Wed 3rd Aug and will cost £150 The certificate qualifies you for first aid at work and goes beyond that in scope for outdoor use.

Secondly we have Green Woodworking and Leatherwork with our very own Eric who's also got a great reputation for skill and teaching ability.
This will also run from the 1st to the 3rd August and will cost £100 per person plus costs of the leather used depending on quantity.

For both courses we'll need a minimum of 6 people, for the FAC 8 would be better.

Anyone that is interested in either of these courses please contact us on info@bushcraftuk.com for further details.

[Mesquite]

Is it Green Woodworking AND Leatherwork for the three days or 2 seperate courses Tony?

Also when can course participants arrive on site, will that be Sunday 31st July?

[John Fenna]

I am interested in the Green Woodworking - so my question echos Mesquites....

[Tony]

We don’t have access to the site until the Monday afternoon, so Monday is set up and then do some stuff in the evening, this can extend into the 4th (the day the FM’s arrive) but that’s not a problem. The aim is to have 1-1.5 days on leatherwork and 1-1.5 days on Green Woodworking.

You’ll get the option of what you would like to do on the leatherworking as you’ll be able to make belts, pouches, sheaths, bags etc, the project you chose can be individual to you.
The Green woodworking will cover camp furniture, carving, baskets etc, again, you’ll be able to choose what you want to do after being shown the basics and Eric will work with you to get it done.

The whole idea is that it’s easy going and you come out of it having being creative and making the things that you want to make. Anyone can take their own tools and use them if they want and for those that need them tools will be provided.

[Mesquite]

Thanks for that Tony... I shall go see what the piggy bank holds :rolleyes:

[Pandabean]

I may be interested in the Green Woodworking/Leatherwork course. Besides I still have to buy my ticket.... :o

If FM's are to arrive on the 4th, what if you come down with someone who is not doing the course, will they be ok to stay on the site for the extra couple of days?

[Eric_Methven]

Just a quick note here. I'll provide all the leatherworking tools - if you have your own, bring them too. Also if you have your own leather to use, bring that. I'll have leather for you to use but because some people will use more than others I propose selling it by weight so you only pay for what you actually use.

The green woodworking will be bushcraft themed. By that I mean making stuff from localy sourced and freshly cut green wood - using the most basic of tools that you will most likely be carrying anyway. Sharp knife that will carve but will also double as a drawknife, folding saw, axe etc. With these you'll be able to make other tools that can be used to harvest bark for making baskets and containers, make a tool to dig up spruce roots for cordage and bindings and so on. We won't have access to pole lathe turning (I say that now so you won't be dissapointed). But what we can do is make lovely rustic camp furniture and containers/baskets that we can use to enhance our camp and see the looks of amazement on peoples' faces when they show up for the moot proper. In the day and a half you'll have working wood, you should be able to make a decent table and a couple of chairs, maybe even create a low wattle fence with a gate to mark your territory but still be welcoming. There's loads of stuff we can do and it's down to how much you want to put into it. Anyway, if you have any questions about either the leatherwork or greenwood courses, either post them here or PM me (or both) and I'll answer them ASAP.

Eric
P.S. I'll be away up to the meet at Comrie Croft from Friday morning until late Monday (possibly too knackered to switch on the computer) so any messages sent or questions asked between then won't get answered until Tuesday. If you ask and don't hear straight back, it's not personal, I'll just be away in the woods enjoying mysel'.

[John Fenna]

Any chance of making leather footwear? Dark Ages/Roman Stylee ....I have made Moccs and Maasi sandles and fancy something more UK ish :)

[wolf man]

Tony

could you put me down for the First Aid course please.

What do I do know?

Cheers

[Eric_Methven]

Any chance of making leather footwear? Dark Ages/Roman Stylee ....I have made Moccs and Maasi sandles and fancy something more UK ish :)

Brilliant John. We can certainly do footwear for those interested. There's all kinds of turnshoes, caligai (roman sandles), cuarans (Scottish traditional) or combinations of all of these (they need not be authentic unless you are doing living history). From a bushcrafting perspective, I have had people buy Saxon turnshoes from me to use as tracking footwear (flexible thin soles so you can feel everything underfoot).
It is certainly something we can discuss in greater detail if enough interest is generated. Besides Mr Fenna, if nobody else wants to do shoes, I'd be happy to sit down with you on a one to one during the moot and make a pair with you.

Eric

[John Fenna]

Belter!
I will bring a roll of 3.5mm veg tan and all my tools with me!

[Eric_Methven]

Belter!
I will bring a roll of 3.5mm veg tan and all my tools with me!

3.5mm veg tan will be great for the soles, but a bit on the thick side for uppers (unless you want to make pit boots). We'll manage though with what we all bring between us.

I'm getting some enquires by PM asking if people can make specific items on the course. Well, the answer is Yes, of course. So far we have
Shoes or boots
Journal covers with specific adaptations.

If anyone is thinking about doing this course, and has something they have always wanted to have a go at, shout up and if it's possible, we'll cover it on the course.

And don't forget, if what you choose to do isn't complete in the one and a half days allocated, I'll still be around for the whole moot and can be persuaded (for a beer maybe) to continue with advice and guidance.

C'mon, get yer names down.

Eric

[John Fenna]

3.5mm veg tan will be great for the soles, but a bit on the thick side for uppers (unless you want to make pit boots). We'll manage though with what we all bring between us.

I'm getting some enquires by PM asking if people can make specific items on the course. Well, the answer is Yes, of course. So far we have
Shoes or boots
Journal covers with specific adaptations.

If anyone is thinking about doing this course, and has something they have always wanted to have a go at, shout up and if it's possible, we'll cover it on the course.

And don't forget, if what you choose to do isn't complete in the one and a half days allocated, I'll still be around for the whole moot and can be persuaded (for a beer maybe) to continue with advice and guidance.

C'mon, get yer names down.

Eric

I have 6 kg of upholstery leather as well :D

[Eric_Methven]

I have 6 kg of upholstery leather as well :D

Chuck it in the van anyway.

[Eric_Methven]

Ok, I recon we have four people as definites signed up (Tony may confirm), and we could do with another couple of bodies to make it more viable. Six is a good number. Enough so I can give quality 1 to 1 time and once people start picking up ideas and techniques they can start helping each other with bits and pieces. The joy of helping the person next to you, is that by passing on what you have just learned helps to reinforce the learning that has taken place from your own perspective.

The tools will be communal by the way. In a central spot so we can all dip in and use what we need for the job at hand. That goes for both the leatherwork and woodworking.

I'll also be bringing a thong/lace making tool, so any scrap bits of leather can be turned into useful lenghts of leather lace at the end for people to take away.

[Tengu]

Leather for me, Eric. Ill bring my kit.

And beeswax

[L8starter]

can i just check details please, ive just received a link to this thread but i though the pre moot courses were for full members only?

please clarify as im interested in the green woodworking, sounds right up my street.

as yet i dont have a ticket at all. so would i be right that my ticket would be 85+100 if i came for both the pre moot courses and the moot?

tina
Forest School L3 working with disaffected teenagers

[Ahjno]

can i just check details please, ive just received a link to this thread but i though the pre moot courses were for full members only?

please clarify as im interested in the green woodworking, sounds right up my street.

as yet i dont have a ticket at all. so would i be right that my ticket would be 85+100 if i came for both the pre moot courses and the moot?

tina
Forest School L3 working with disaffected teenagers

I think I can confirm that Tina. It looks like Tony moved this thread from the FM area to the open forum, as the course(s) need more people to be viable. Since FM's now have had first pick, the places that are left are on a first come, first served base for the rest of the membership.

Your ticket would indeed be: 85 GBP for the full Moot for 1 person (normal member rate) + 100 GBP for the woodworking course (again 1 person).

HTH

[Tony]

I can clarify this further....Doh, they were never meant to be just FM's, although they have first dibs, my apologies if it's come across like that.
This is open to everyone.

[L8starter]

ok, my intent is to come and to do the green wood/leather course.

i say intent as i have still yet to sign up........ im exhausted, teachers year and all that, and its a long way and means juggling plans i have in place. i finish work on friday so should be able to take a deep breath and commit soon after.

if, in the meantime, places go, tough luck on me

[geoff88]

I have now paid for the green woodworking and leatherworking course but would like to know if we have an arrival time on site? Just need to make plans.

Geoff

[Mesquite]

I have now paid for the green woodworking and leatherworking course but would like to know if we have an arrival time on site? Just need to make plans.

Geoff

Here you go :)

I'm aiming to get there for about 1pm.


We don’t have access to the site until the Monday afternoon, so Monday is set up and then do some stuff in the evening, this can extend into the 4th (the day the FM’s arrive) but that’s not a problem. The aim is to have 1-1.5 days on leatherwork and 1-1.5 days on Green Woodworking.

You’ll get the option of what you would like to do on the leatherworking as you’ll be able to make belts, pouches, sheaths, bags etc, the project you chose can be individual to you.
The Green woodworking will cover camp furniture, carving, baskets etc, again, you’ll be able to choose what you want to do after being shown the basics and Eric will work with you to get it done.

The whole idea is that it’s easy going and you come out of it having being creative and making the things that you want to make. Anyone can take their own tools and use them if they want and for those that need them tools will be provided.

[John Fenna]

I plan to be there 12.01pm!

[geoff88]

Yeah saw that thanks. It's just that Monday afternoon is a bit vague, was hoping for a time, don't want to sit arround in that expensive carpark for hours.

Geoff

[Eric_Methven]

I've spoken with Tony and we have decided 3.00pm is the best arrival time for those participating in the pre-moot courses. That will give everyone time to set up their accommodation. Then we'll do the safety talk stuff and get out in the woods to gather raw materials for the green woodworking aspect of the course.

Eric

[John Fenna]

3pm?
That is almost my bedtime!

But so be it!

[Mesquite]

3pm means I don't have to rush around loading all my gear back up after the RC meet :)

[geoff88]

Great, thanks for that Eric. Will be able to have lunch on the way.
See you all there.

Geoff

[L8starter]

ok so im trying to make a paypal payment. heck cmon, gotta get my money in while the mood is there, 300miles 5 hours but it sounds as though itll be just waht i need

i can manage the 85 in my shopping basket but i cant find a link for the premoot courses nor can i add an extra 100 on to the total.

could someone post a link here please and ill pay both at the same time. it'll be the green wood/leather

i was very excited today to make myself a bush deck chair, couldnt believe how comfy it is even tho its wonky!!

thanks

[Mesquite]

ok so im trying to make a paypal payment. heck cmon, gotta get my money in while the mood is there, 300miles 5 hours but it sounds as though itll be just waht i need

i can manage the 85 in my shopping basket but i cant find a link for the premoot courses nor can i add an extra 100 on to the total.

could someone post a link here please and ill pay both at the same time. it'll be the green wood/leather

i was very excited today to make myself a bush deck chair, couldnt believe how comfy it is even tho its wonky!!

thanks

I had an email from Tony when I asked about paying.

You can paypal your payment shop@bushcraftuk.com and you'll be added you to the list. Just make sure you put in the header what it's for and include your forum name in the details

Hope that helps :)

[Tony]

Ahh, I probably should ahve set up the option, sorry about that. Just paypal the money to the above address (thanks Mesquite) and comment on who it's for, address and contact details, what it's for etc and all will be well :D

Thanks
T

[L8starter]

ok its done, im unsure really what ive let myself in for being a newbie around here but im sure itll all be good

oh, but the paypal payment flew away before i could say what it was for or who it was from or anything, nope, nothing to do with me hitting the wrong button or the glass of wine that im drinking...... so tone, when a payment comes through for 185 from anitpotter at yahoo dot com thats me please

eric, im here to learn anything that is being taught but if theres any possibility of bark containers i would be stoked. ive been fascinated by bark since i was a kid and tried to sew it without success. i had forgotten though, until yetsrday when i went to the british museum to see the out of australia exhibition, amazing bark containers, sea weed water carrier too, i wonder what seaweed there is on the beach over there?

what was also so well worth NOT missing is the inuit souwesters made from seal intestines, they are absolutely extraordinary. they are probably always there, i think they are in the permanent collection but ive not seen them before

[Eric_Methven]

ok its done, im unsure really what ive let myself in for being a newbie around here but im sure itll all be good

oh, but the paypal payment flew away before i could say what it was for or who it was from or anything, nope, nothing to do with me hitting the wrong button or the glass of wine that im drinking...... so tone, when a payment comes through for 185 from anitpotter@yahoo.com thats me please

eric, im here to learn anything that is being taught but if theres any possibility of bark containers i would be stoked. ive been fascinated by bark since i was a kid and tried to sew it without success. i had forgotten though, until yetsrday when i went to the british museum to see the out of australia exhibition, amazing bark containers, sea weed water carrier too, i wonder what seaweed there is on the beach over there?

what was also so well worth NOT missing is the inuit souwesters made from seal intestines, they are absolutely extraordinary. they are probably always there, i think they are in the permanent collection but ive not seen them before

Yes, we can do bark containers (suitable wood permitting) but I think we may have difficulty with the seal intestines.
There's a hell of a lot to cram in to one and a half days of leatherwork and one and a half days of woodwork, so if we don't cover bark containers during the pre-moot course, I'll certainly do a half day workshop on it during the moot proper. Pre-moot attendees will have first dibs on places if that happens with a maximum of ten people.

Here's a few photos from a bark container workshop run by myself and Rancid Badger
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/bushmoot%20stuff/BarkContainers8_6_083.jpg
Me chopping down an ash tree. The bark was used for containers, the wood used to make tent pegs and other stuff.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/bushmoot%20stuff/BarkContainers8_6_0816.jpg
RB removing the bark.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/bushmoot%20stuff/BarkContainers8_6_08103.jpg
This is the end product. Everyone on the course made something similar.

Eric

[Eric_Methven]

I meant to mention before, during the pre-moot three days, there will be a brew on permanently. Tea or coffee and a kettle always on the fire - prob'ly biccies as well.
That way people can have a break and a brew without dissappearing, and if something interesting comes up in instruction/demonstration/conversation they won't miss it. Done it before on most of my courses and it works well.

Eric

[L8starter]

wow that looks awesome! and especially that you are using ash. the woods whee i am running forest school have lots of young ash and in the autumn we will be coppicing. i suspect that most of the saplings we take out may not be large enough to produce large pieces of usable bark but have a circumference of about two and a half inches. we also have cherry and oak. the woods were planted in the 80s and are very overcrowded and in need of tlc

i agree, thers far too much to pack in in a short space of time and would opt for a seperate course during the week if thats a possibility thanks. it was you mentioning making tools to remove bark from trees that made me thunk it ok to ask

i presume the wood needs to be freshly felled to remove the bark easily?

[Eric_Methven]

i presume the wood needs to be freshly felled to remove the bark easily?

Correct! The fresher the better. Spring is best when the sap is running.

[Tengu]

I have got my leatherwork tooling kit.

Have found a whole load of rather boring pewter tankards. was wondering if anyone would like me to bring them in order to put tooled leather covers on?

How do you colour the carvings?? I have varied draughtmans inks, but they are water based.

[Eric_Methven]

I have got my leatherwork tooling kit.

Have found a whole load of rather boring pewter tankards. was wondering if anyone would like me to bring them in order to put tooled leather covers on?

How do you colour the carvings?? I have varied draughtmans inks, but they are water based.

Yes, bring the tankards - if they are old and knackered they can be chopped up and re-melted for pewter casting. If they are in good nick, we can do covers.
I'll be bringing leather paints (acrylic) so I'll show you different techniques to colour leather.

Eric

[Eric_Methven]

I've also just finished making a rope making machine for everyone to play with.
The idea being, that much of the camp furniture will be secured with lashings rather than joints (given the tools available to most of us). So it'll be good to make our own cordage to do the lashings rather than using boring old bailer twine.


http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-1.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-2.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-3.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-4.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-5.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-end.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n617/Eric_Methven/rope%20winding%20machine/sm-rope-machine-traveller.jpg

Eric

[Tengu]

Oh, thats handy. Nothing like modern technology to speed things up, eh?

I have five tankards of varying inclinations; 2 plain handled, 1 with a handle in the form of a pike (fish!) another handled with a flintlock pistol and a third an england football tankard with a lion handle. (This last is a terrible bit of tat that retails for about £25...)

They will be £5 each if anyone wants to reserve one.