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Programme of Courses Spring 2009

Mount Pleasant Eco Park Porthtowan

Fri 13th - Sun 15th February. Create your own Woodburning stove £150 + material costs (approx £50). A three day course to build a small wood burner from a 15kg gas bottle. Aimed at beginers level, an opportunity 10 hove a go or mig and arc welding, cutting, grinding, and steel fabrication. Each participant will create their own burner fitted with a baffle to increase draw and a fire rope seal on the door which means the fire can be regulated. These are great stoves for both heating and cooking. Tutor: Grant Oatly. www.ironshirt.co.uk Download PDF for more info

Fri 13th - Sun 15th March. Basketmaking £150 (£120 Concessions) + Willow Costs. Basketry Starting from a Round Base Course suitable for beginners or more advanced students who would like to undertake their own projects with on hand assistance. Beginner students will make a smalt blackberry gathering basket to learn basic techniques, using stripped buff willow There should be time to complete this and another basket of your own design over the 3 days. Tutor Geraldine Jones. www.worldwidewillow.com Download PDF for more info

Sat 21st - Sun 22nd March. Introduction to Permaculture £40 (£30 Concessions) The course will guide you through some of the key Permaculture principles & practices includes practical work, wild food walk, slide shows of examples and projects, exercises, gomes and discussions. Join us for inspiration and practical ideas for more sustainable living. Tutor Klaudia Van Gool. www.klaudia.co.uk

Sat 28th - Sun 29th March. Drystone Walling and Cornish Hedging £100 (£80 Concessions). The course will be split into two sessions 1st Session - Creating a section of dry stone walling which will be one of the main panels on the feature wall at the entrance to the Eco-Park. 2nd Session - Learn the traditional skills of cornish hedging, including o 'return' i.e. a hedge corner on site at the Eco-Park Tutor Roger Clemens. www.cornishhedgers.co.uk Download PDF for more info

Sat 18th April. Family Bushcraft Day £50 (Adult + 1 Child)
Postponed, new dates to be decided.
Please contact us if you are interested in joining this course.

A day to explore and practise some of the bushcraft and nature awareness skills that help you feel at home outdoors. The day will be split into three sessions. Fire; looking at safe preparation, bow drill components, natural tinders, making tinder bundles and have a go with a bow drill kit to create your own ember. Cooking on an open fire; looking at safe fire preparation, some simple fire lays for cooking on, and some bannock cooking . Shelter building; different designs, the materials and construction of natural shelters and the modern substitute - the hammock and tarp, covering a variety of simple knots and ways of setting up. Tutor: Tim Hutton Download PDF for more info

Sat 9th - 10th May. Green Woodworking £100 (£80 Concessions). The course will consist of building a pole lathe for woodturning and a Shaving horse with an introduction to green woodworking techniques and skills. Tutor Rory McPhee.

Sat 30th - Sun 31st May. Working with Cob Build a Wood Fired Earth Oven. £120 Participants will gain the skills and understanding of selecting the correct subsoil for cob, how to mix and build with cob and have fun. Max 6 places. Tutors Adam Weisman & Katy Bryce. www.cobincornwall.com

Programme of Courses Summer 2009

Traditional Blacksmithing - £80 per day
1 Day Option: Sat 20th June + Sat 25th July
2 Day Option: Sat 15th - Sun 16th August

Make and take away some traditionally hand forged ironwork. Spend the morning learning basic forging techniques using fire, hammer and anvil to create a wall hook. Then, after lunch, take the skills you have learnt to make an object of your own design Bring packs of bacon and vegi sausages for a delicious hand forged lunch! true blacksmith style! Download PDF for more info

You may be able to access funding for these courses through the Environmental Skills Network.. Please contact 01209 614972 / jeff@cep.org.uk

Bookings: 01209 891500 enquiries@mpecopark.co.uk

Mount Pleasant Ecological Park. Chapel Hill. Porthtowan. Cornwall TR4 8HL