21/08/2012 - Permalink

Hurry and book your place, limited availability on rural skill courses

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

Help keep history alive by learning a traditional rural skill at one of the nation’s favourite farms this September.

Acton Scott Historic Working farm from will be running courses in September but places are booking up fast, so those wishing to have a go and learn one or more of our traditional rural skills need to book as soon as possible.

The courses will be run by coppice craftsman Dave Jackson and include:

  • Saturday 1 September – ‘Greenwood Spoon Carving’ – try your hand at learning the ancient craft of carving your own traditional eating spoon from sustainably coppiced green wood. Using traditional hand tools such as knives, axes and crook knives, you will be taught a range of cutting techniques using the minimum of tools. Cost of course is £65.
  • Sunday 2 September – ‘Make a Rustic Stool with Willow Seat’ – have a go at making a simple yet beautiful stool using locally coppiced hazel round wood for the frame and woven willow for the seat. The frame is of mortise and tenon construction made using simple hand tools. You will take away a wonderful stool which will stand the test of time. Cost of course is £75.

For those enthusiasts wishing to take part in both the above courses, the farm is offering a reduced fee of just £130 for the whole weekend.

  • Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September – ‘Make a Bent Wood Chair’ – create your very own sculptural and natural bent wood chair from nothing more than a pile of sticks. These traditional rustic seats are immensely pleasing to the eye and very satisfying to make. Cost of the weekend course is £150; you need to book quickly as there are only 2 places left.

All courses start from 10:00am to 5:00pm on each day and you will be able to take away your bespoke craft pieces.

Councillor Mike Owen, Cabinet Member with responsibilities for Tourism and Culture said at Shropshire Council which runs the well know attraction said;

“Acton Scott Historic Working Farm has so many activities to enjoy and these rural courses are just some of the great opportunities coming up on the farm.”

“I encourage everyone with a passion to help keep our wonderful rural skills going for future generations, to book a place now.”

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and local member for Corvedale which includes the Parish of Acton Scott said;

“Traditional skills still have a very important place in our modern world. The simple and satisfying pleasure of making something useful by hand increasingly appeals to many of us.”

“Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is the perfect place to learn these forgotten and fast disappearing rural skills and to work with tutors who make their living through the practice of their craft.”

If you would like to reserve a place or require further details please phone Acton Scott Historic Working Farm on 01694 781307 or e-mail: acton.scott.museum@shropshire.gov.uk.

Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is open Tuesday – Friday 10.00am – 4.30pm and at weekends and Bank Holidays from 10.30am – 5.00pm. It is closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays. There is an excellent shop and café on site along with plenty of free parking. For more information visit actonscottmuseum.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.