National Maritime Museum Cornwall and one of the oldest, and most influential families, in Cornwall are working together to conserve possibly the oldest Birch Bark Canoe in existence. Estimated to be over 250 years old, the canoe has been discovered on the Enys Estate near Penryn, housed in one of the Enys family’s barns. Laid to rest for a…
Under this snow is the beech log I am currently working my way through. It is one of the nicest I have had for a while and is making beautiful bowls. I cut a couple of rings off, one for plates one for bowls. Ripsawing with the chainsaw produces lovely shavings which I bag up for livestock bedding. It is…
My spoon and bowl carving courses are great fun and a really inspiring start in green woodworking. Whether you are an absolute beginner just thinking of trying your hand at woodcarving or someone with more experience that wants to take things to another level I hope to have courses to suit. 2011 dates have just gone on the website here.…
A 7th generation Onggi pottery operated by the Kim family and lead by Kim Il-Maan, a Korean National Cultural Treasure, filmed by Adam Field who was apprenticed there for most of 2008 This is the first stage, though if you were watching closely you will have seen this in the background of the previous film. Glazing big pots, hard physical…
On the way to the workshop this morning I took a quick diversion up Mam Tor (it means “mother hill” and is an iron age hill fort) It is a 2 minute diversion and the view is quite stunning, my workshop is at the far end of the valley toward the left, last building at the foot of the hills.…
It has been a pleasure to watch Edwardian Farm. HCA Patron Alex Langlands has been trying out more crafts this time joining Nigel Legge lobsterpot maker, artist, fisherman. He seemed like a lovely bloke with a fine accent. He also seems to have a perfect lifestyle with a mix of making lobster pots, painting and taking holiday makers on boat…
It’s unusual for us to get much snow this early but it has been around a few days now. Road outside the house. Main road to Edale down to one lane. Snowy workshop Nice view, tools covered to stop snow drifting in and rusting them. drying bowls and plates Big drifts on the road to the workshop. I couldn’t resist…
Following last blog mentioning old slate workings in Langdale I should post about Englands last working slate mine at Honister, a real good news story. The notes below are taken from their website. In 1986, after three centuries of near continuous slate mining at Honister, the mine closed down after a protracted period of decline. With it, it seemed, went…
This is Standard Quay in Faversham It remains a working quay and home to historic craft particularly Thames sailing barges. The fabric of main wetherboarded building is listed for it’s historic value, the grazing marsh around is protected as a RAMSAR site but the crafts and trades which have centuries of unbroken history are not recognised in the same way…
This is Little Langdale in the lake district. Last weekend I spent a bit of time there with my dad, uncle and cousin. I simply love the weather we are having, crisp cold, deep frost but still air and dry. A light snowfall to make the landscape pretty. This is slaters bridge a very simple foot bridge which I suspect…
