Just in case you weren’t already aware, all remaining craft workshop places are limited to six for 2019. Early booking is definitely recommended and remember that gift vouchers can be purchased if the workshop or course is intended as a gift. The Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Weekend, Winter Survival Weekend and both Wild Food & Foraging spring and autumn courses have more places available to book and are therefore the perfect introductory bushcraft course for lone wolves or a small group of friends. The entire course program is designed to be progressive. While all courses or workshops can be attended singularly, they are often one of a pair or even a series of learning experiences that compliment each other perfectly (for example....the Buckskin Weekend and Moccasin Workshop, Whittling and Carving workshops part 1 & 2, the Wild Food & Forage Spring Day and the Wild Food & Cooking Autumn Weekend). Two such well matched craft workshops are the Bows & Arrows and Shave Horse Workshops. Both focus on using simple hand tools, especially the axe to successfully carve and shape green and seasoned wood. A bow can certainly be made without a shave horse but having one of these clever timber gripping gadgets will make the whole experience, faster, more efficient and ultimately, more relaxing. Even better knowing that you’ve made it yourself! Bows & Arrows Workshop - 18th – 21st July 2019 – 3 places left! There can be no better mark of your skill as a woods person than the ability to craft an effective hunting weapon entirely from the woods around you using only hand tools. During these four days you will learn how to construct an ash bow from the first chop of axe into log right through to pinging arrows down the range. In learning how to carve a bow from a seasoned stave, you’ll gain a firm understanding of fine woodworking skills, timber selection and an insight into this fascinating and practical ancient technology. We’ll also teach you several methods of string construction using authentic materials and modern too. A bow isn’t much use without the arrows so you’ll be shown how to take a hazel rod, straighten scrape and smooth it into dowel, nock it, fletch it and haft a bone, flint or metal target point in place using natural glues and bindings. Please note: £325 per person Shave Horse 3 Day Workshop 25th – 27th June 2019 – 3 places left!This three day workshop is designed as an introduction to green wood working skills and tools with the eventual goal being to create a strange wooden equine creature known as the shave horse. During the construction phase, you’ll learn all about the safe and efficient use of more heavy duty crafting tools such as the axe, adze, saw and brace & bit. Other essential skills covered include timber selection and harvesting (with the emphasis on maximising any natural curves, shapes and features in the wood) sectioning, splitting, hewing, carving, jointing, drilling and at the end of it all, not only will you have made an incredibly useful bit of green wood working kit but also the skills to go on and make rustic seats, stools, benches and tables from green and seasoned wood. £235 per person Hope to see you in the woods soon! Joe O'Leary Author of The Wilderness Survival Guide |