,

GREEN WOOD WORKER

The project

                                                 

             HOME             PROJECT           ARCHIVE            IMAGES       SUSSEX LOCAL   

                                                                                                                     GROUP (APT)

See the honorary BODGER at bottom of this page

 

pole lathe demonstration of green wood workng at amberley museum

 

Colin, a member of the Association of Pole-Lathe Turners (APT), and is currently the principle demonstrator of the pole lathe at the Amberley Working Museum in West Sussex

 

 

Tuition is available in pole-lathe turning

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

 

 

THE 'LOWER' DEMONSTRATION SITE AT AMBERLEY

Photos showing display area at Amberley at the lower site next to wood yard. A new and larger area is being created along the nature trail and is now in use.
polelathe at green wood working workshop amberley museum shaving horse plus garden implements turned on polelathe at green wood working workshop amberley museum Pole lathe at the green wood working workshop at amberley museum
Colin's' traveling/demonstration lathe Shave horse under construction with some display items explaining the process of creating turned items The area as a whole with a notice board for information when site is unattended

 

Recording the progress of the Green Wood Worker 

group at Amberley.

 

 

THE CREATION OF A BESPOKE CRAFT AREA

WITHIN THE MUSEUM NATURE TRAIL WALK

 

During the winter  and into 2006 we have set up a more permanent demonstration area in a woodland glade and accessible via the nature trail. The main feature is a  construction of a Bodgers Hovel, a shelter traditionally used by woodland workers to sleep, eat and shelter in. Also a static display showing various woodlands crafts and how they are performed will be created. When possible crafts people will be working in this area to answer any questions. Wood for the hovel and other display items were sourced locally from managed woodlands and brought onto the site. The Amberley site itself is unable to sustain high rates of cutting at this time in its evolution. Hazel is being planted near to the Glade and will eventually provide some coppice wood. The work is ongoing any help would appreciated please contact Colin.

nature trail at amberley museum west sussex the galde at amberley museum for use by the green wood worker group
Nature trail walk leading to Glade (2005) The Glade as it looked prior to commencement of work (2005)

The Beginning (2006)

A DAYS WORK IN PROGRESS (Photo story)

the galde cleared for the green wood worker group and pole lathe demonstrations

colin next to first A frame in glade

Glade cleared and materials ready

First 'A' frame in place (Colin posing again)

the bodgers hovel in the glade

making chopping blocks for the pole lathe and bodgers hovel

Skeleton of hovel now complete

Mike cutting 'Chopping Blocks' from Ash

Thatching with Birch courtesy of

'Arthur' besom broom maker on Amberley site

Hovel finished with Pole lathe in place

Sawing Dog

Kettle on for brew      (Kelly Kettle)

Long view of sun drenched Glade (3/4/06)

Archive photo of Bodgers at work with 'Hovel' in background

The APT & Amberley Greenwood Worker site

New 'wigwam' style shelter going up

The shelter will cover the oak lathe obtained at the APT AGM 2006

New lathe to be revealed soon under the hovel

 

TUITION IS AVAILABLE ALL YEAR AROUND

 

Site with Observation area installed.

open to public when demonstrator on site

The Glade Sept 2006 The Glade Sept 2006

The Glade Sept 2006

The Glade Sept 2006

For a good first view of the glade why not approach from the new rail bridge along the nature trail. For details of location ask at entrance to museum or see the Woodturners area near the wood yard display area.

 

Come along and find the animals in use at the Glade...................

The 'Dog' The 'Beetle' The 'Horse'

 

A BOW & BOBBIN LATHE

SET UP

 In the lower workshop

A Bow & Bobbin lathe

Would have been the design favoured for working in an enclosed area.

Ideal for moving around the site for different events.

 

Pole lathe tuition, inc preparing a billet on a shavehorse for the polelathe, cleaving wood with a froe etc.

 

LIKE TO BECOME INVOLVED??

Email to contact the group co-ordinator.

Help with this new area would be gratefully received from people interested in  green wood crafts (see also polelathe course information).  New comers to this activity will get training and support. Current crafts people who would like to spend a little of their time in helping out or giving advice are most welcome. We are looking for Hurdle makers to set up a display and use the site please contact Colin for details.

Keep yourself posted by reviewing this site from time to time. Add it to your favorites.

 

Our location in the body of the Museum

We also use an area next to the 'Sussex Woodturners' machine shop, who use power tools and modern methods. They have some treadle lathes dating back over 100 years. Treadle lathes span the gap between pole-lathes and power lathes. This is to demonstrate how wood turning has developed over the years.  The finish from turning on a pole lathe compared to a modern power lathe is very similar, which shows the skills, still practiced in using the older technology. 

We are happy to welcome greenwood demonstrators, specifically Pole-lathe turners.  Contact details and dates when this area can be manned are available from .

However if you would like to learn how to use a pole lathe this can be arranged at most times of the year for more details and all other related enquiries please contact .

 

 

ARE YOU ORGANISING A PUBLIC DISPLAY OR SHOW THIS OR NEXT YEAR

Then why not book one or more of our demonstrators. 

Would you like to have a pole lathe demonstrator at your show, rural event, fete etc. Then contact Colin who will be pleased to discuss how this can be done. A  small fee  will be charged to cover appearance & travel expenses, we would hope to sell some of the items produced.

All APT Sussex Group Members are fully covered by Third Party Liability Insurance.

Available weekends, weekdays or over several days in succession.

 

 

 

Please contact Colin now requesting details, or, asking any specific questions regarding the above

by clicking - - thank you.

 

THE HONORARY 'BODGER'!!!

TB as he is known to his friends!! (both of them) is an ardent performer and all round entertainer. He has been heard to utter those immortal words to gathered masses (well one or two) bugger orf!! its past my bed time. His favorite food is 'chicken & peas', washed down by copious amounts of still! sparkling wine. He often has trouble with the cord attached to his billet and favors, as a replacement, a 'G' string.  Currently he is without work but has his eyes on the horizon looking for his next 'Princess'. You will often hear him before you see him as he plays, on a rather old gramophone, Porter and Gershwin songs.

 

Certainly a must see performer

 
Paul at Play      'Well done'

 

TOP OF  the project PAGE       BACK AGAIN