Have you ever fancied trying your hand at being a blacksmith, weaving a basket or making your own pair of shoes?
Well now you can, thanks to an exciting programme of traditional crafts courses being provided at Stanwick Lakes. Courses include blacksmithing, basketry, green woodworking and dry stone walling and have been designed to give a hands-on experience of the craft. Participants will be able to take home the items made on the day, such as a forged candle holder, a willow basket or a wooden stool. The three-day shoe-making course is particularly special, as this is one of the few courses available in the UK that takes beginners through the complete process of making their own unique pair of shoes.
Most of the courses are suitable for beginners and they all take place in, or next to, the purpose-built oak Training Barn at Stanwick Lakes; prices start at £65 for a one day workshop. The next programme of courses starts in February 2016 and bookings are now being taken via the project website at www.tradingplacescrafts.org.uk
These public courses are a new initiative being provided through Rockingham Forest Trust’s ‘Trading Places’ project. The project receives Heritage Lottery funding to work with disadvantaged young people, giving them a chance to experience the traditional trades of the Nene Valley. Each young person takes part in thirteen days of training and many of them have gone on to gain apprenticeships, further education and employment.
www.rockingham-forest-trust.org.uk www.stanwicklakes.org.uk
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