Try your hand at stone letter carving and shed-making at Acton Scott Farm
Budding craftsmen and craftswomen will have a great opportunity to try their hand at stone letter carving and shed-making at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm on Friday 14 September and Saturday 15 September 2012.
The two courses are being run following a series of very successful rural craft and trade workshops held at the farm earlier in the year.
The stone letter carving course on Friday 14 September 2012 from 9.30am to 3.30pm will be led by experienced master stonemason Mark Woolley. Participants will get the opportunity to spend the day with Mark and learn how to carve letters in stone, and start a project such as a carved house name or number that will be yours to take home.
You will also be able to watch Mark demonstrate the skill of letter carving, before tackling your own piece of stone under Mark’s expert eye together with fellow stonemason Zoe Barnett.
Cost of the course is just £105 and includes the cost of the stone.
Saturday 15 September 2012 from 10am to 4pm offers a completely different course experience as participants get the opportunity to join building conservation expert and historic environment manager, Colin Richards, to design and build a recycled shed.
You will get the chance to work with Colin to build a recycled potting shed at Acton Scott Farm that will stay on site and be used by visiting schools. Participants can then take home the experience enabling you to build your own.
The day costs just £50. Please be aware that you will be working outside.
Cecilia Motley, local Shropshire Councillor for Corvedale, commented:
“This is yet another example of Acton Scott Farm’s pre-eminence in the field of training in traditional skills and crafts. It is the south Shropshire centre for the promotion and encouragement of skills which otherwise would just disappear. I do hope people will avail themselves of such unusual and useful training opportunities.”
Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for tourism and culture, said:
“As always, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm continues to offer brilliant opportunities that enable people to experience traditional rural crafts and learn new skills.
“These two very different but equally satisfying introductory courses have a few places available for participants to sign up, so I wholeheartedly encourage those who enjoy and have an interest in these crafts to join up and enjoy the day.”
Participants for both courses are encouraged to wear to wear old clothes or overalls and stout footwear. Lunch can be purchased in the Old School café on site or bring a packed lunch to enjoy, while exploring the historic farm during the break.
If you would like to reserve a place or require further details please phone Acton Scott Historic Working Farm on 01694 781307 or email: acton.scott.museum@shropshire.gov.uk.
Further information
Master Stonemason Mark has been working as a stonemason for over 25 years and has worked throughout the country on conservation and restoration projects. Spending the day with Mark and Zoe is a rare opportunity and one not to be missed.
During the Ludlow Green Fair in 2008, Colin built a garden shed using materials found at the local waste recycling depot that would otherwise be destined for landfill. Everyone wanted to buy it.
