Woven Bark Trugs
June 14 / 15 (Sat/Sun)
Two days, 10.30am – 5pm both days
£255
Venue: open air woodland setting in a 70 acre ancient coppiced wood on a family-run working farm: peaceful and beautiful Dernwood Farm Nr Heathfield, East Sussex.
From tree to basket: come to the woods for the weekend and learn how to make a beautiful long-lasting woven bark trug, made from sweet chestnut. Perfect for gathering flowers or veg from the garden, carrying a few useful hand tools, or for storage in the kitchen. The texture and colour of these trugs brings the woodland into your home.
You’ll forage all your bark, cutting and then processing it. You’ll learn where, when and how to harvest bark in a sustainable way, and you’ll make your basket using nothing but the bark, with the addition of corded handles. We’ll cover knife / tool skills, with guidance and tuition on hand to support you through all the stages of the making process. You’ll leave knowing all you need to make a bark trug from start to finish.
Please note, this course involves a significant degree of physical work in harvesting and processing the bark. The weaving technique itself is suitable for beginners as well as those with some experience.
A simple but hearty vegetarian lunch is provided, we’ll have have a kettle on the camp fire, plus a huge tarp on hand for cover in case we need it. I aim to offer you a satisfying learning experience as well as an enjoyable time away from it all. To support you in getting the most from the day, we’ll connect to the woodland surroundings through a short and simple, guided mindfulness-based practice.
Just fabulous. Fun, creative, incredibly informative (Ruby’s hugely inspiring teaching) and in a place of such simple beauty. Way beyond all hopes, a treat of an experience that I shall never forget – shared with lovely people. Rebecca, Brighton
Accommodation: camping is available at the farm venue and full details about this will be sent to you when you book on the course. The farm also has glamping options, including cosy bell tents and cabins with wood-burners.
NB: the cost of staying at the farm is not included in the course. Read more about accommodation options.
You can read FAQs here.
See you in the woods!
Featured in the Guardian lifestyle section. National Geographic & Toyota put Native Hands in their top 125 UK adventures.
