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I came across some lovely bits of wiggly sweet chestnut in Jim Whites yard some time ago and knew immediately that they were going to be used for something, but I had no idea what that something was. Then I was approached by my lovely neighbors and asked if I could make a bigger and more substantial version of the coat racks I was making using cherry, yew, and ash. It wasn’t until they asked for two of these to be mounted one above the other that it dawned on me what the something was.

The pegs are ash which was turned green on a pole lathe and if you look closely you can make out the sweet chestnut plugs that cover the fixings to the wall.

Then came a commission for a wider than the average garden gate and the symmetrical wiggle was tweaked a little and using angled ok posts completed the curved effect.

The planks were slightly too thin to be held together with pegs, so I opted for black stainless steel coach bolts. These were a perfect match for the hinges and latch and I am very pleased with the overall appearance.

Two very different projects using the same timber and exploiting its natural characteristics to good effect.

 

 

 

 

Fantastic fun this week making coat pegs with budding young craftspeople.

After a fully booked course on Thursday I will certainly be running this course again, here’s what people had to say about the experience……

“Really great ‘coat hook’ making session. great venue, clear teaching and friendly approach, perfect for our 7 year old boy. thank you” B.M

“Absolutely fantastic course- completely hands on. the kids had such a fun time, completely hands on. Really friendly and relaxed atmosophere. thank you for a fab couple of hours.” J, H and A

“A wonderful way to spend a morning, beautiful setting really hands on with all the tools for the children (its tricky to keep grown ups from having a go)! Great tuition. A lovely work shop all round”

“Lovely workshop tank you. Beautiful setting, relaxed and also very safe. Wonderful for children and adults alike.” RC

Three people (and Milly and Me), three different projects and three days! Well done guys, mission accomplished.

Keith gets to grips with fitting the stretchers to his oak stool.

Steves side table takes shape.

Peter using a shaving horse to make his own shaving horse, while Steve shaves his legs, litterally.

busy bees with lots to do!

some serious  skew chisel skills from Keith

A big thank you to you all for three fantastic days.

Many thanks to Jim White (White Wood Management) and the amazing Woodland Trust volunteers for a fun and productive day at Halls Cleave, building bridges (literally not in some silly metaphorical sense) and making faggots.

In particular, Gill Macphail and Sue Arnold (the Faggot ladies of South Devon) who produced multiple sturdy faggots despite the inclement weather and more than one tumble into the soggy ditch.

The faggots in question were made by squeezing bundles of brash and coppice material (twigs, basically) together using the ingenious faggot engine (my own term) and then securing with twine as per Jim’s instructions!

They are destined to be secured to the stream bank in Halls Cleave to reduce erosion caused by flash flooding that the area is prone to in winter months.

Finished faggots ready for action. Looking forward to the next session!

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Some images from the National Trusts Saltram Apple Day courtesy of Jamie!

Once again I couldn’t get the little ones away from the shaving horse and they amazed me with their concentration and ability.

“Don’t touch the middle bit, its very very sharp”

Another young bodger in the making.

Many thanks to the Devon Rural Skills Trust (DRST) for helping to make it a great day, it was lovely to share ideas and tools with you guys once again.

What every bodger needs is a troop (?) of Morris dancers frolicking in the for ground.

The smile says it all. Thank you to the National Trust and to all who came along, see you soon I hope!

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