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GREEN WOOD WORKER

The project

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Association of Pole lathe turners and green wood workers news items and pole lathe tuition at Amberley Museum. craft items using green wood

Click on the tree to see the Glade!

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

 

Note:- (posted 2nd Feb 09)

For news from 'Mike' the APT Sussex group leader, see bottom of this page

 

Tuition is available in pole-lathe turning

polelathe and green wood working at Amberly museum. tuition in pole lathe use. how to make a polelathe

Click the tree above for information on courses

 

 

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 has been created along the nature trail and is now in use when we have sufficient 'greenwood group' members on site
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' travelling/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 of 2005 and into 2006 we set up a more permanent demonstration area in a woodland glade and accessible via the nature trail. The main feature is the construction of a 'Bodgers Hovel', a shelter traditionally used by woodland workers to sleep, eat and shelter in. Eventually provided we can attract more members, 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. 

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 FEW 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 a 'Hovel' in background

 

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 favourites.

 

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. 

 

 

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.

 

NEWS FROM MIKE the APT Sussex Group Leader

As those brave enough to be doing some turning will be able to testify, winter is definitely with us. Both wet and cold weather have been experienced. That does not matter too much if you are having fun, which I hope you are. We have a couple of winter Gatherings planned. The first of these is on Sunday 15th February, the second will be on Sunday 29th March. Both will be at Mary’s Barn, Little London (near Heathfield, East Sussex). Arrive time from 10am (bodgers time) until about 4.30pm. Bring your own mug and food. Hot drinks and the griddle to cook on will be available.

 

Looking further ahead to warmer times (maybe) – commonly miss known as summer these days, there will be Gatherings to look forward too. There will also be shows to attend.

Mary has agreed to become our Shows Coordinator. For those of you wishing to attend a show contact needs to be made with Mary as soon as you are able to following the announcement of dates and venues.

I have decided to only attend three shows during 2009. These are my local Lamas Festival in August, the others are both at Bentley, The Summer Solstice – Hands on History in July and WoodFair in September. On both of these occasions I’ll take the big shelter (assuming the trailer survives that long). One show that we’ll not be doing this year is Kew Gardens as they are giving it a rest this year to concentrate on a major anniversary. Another regular show that has become less popular is the South of England Show.

The weather will no doubt play a part in how the shows go this coming summer. With this in mind, last year at Step Back in Time proved to be a difficult time. All in all it is probably a very good time to take stock. 

Where do we go from here, and how do we go from here?

Your opinion on attendance at shows, if you have one, is wanted.

 

The Weekend Gathering at Richard and Dorothy’s hop farm will be on the weekend of 25th and 26th July. If the weather is as good as last year we’ll be in for a treat. For those unable to commit to the whole weekend it is better to be there for one, or part of a day, than not at all. In all probability we’ll have our usual Gatherings spread through the spring, summer and autumn. More details will follow later.

 

During last summer Tony Cork donated his pole-lathe, shaving horse and various bits and pieces to the Sussex Group. Currently this equipment is being set up at the Stone Cross Windmill near Eastbourne. The aim is to have it as a static display when it is not being used for demonstrations at the mill. If you fancy doing a stint at the Windmill contact John Clayton to make arrangements.

 

I have made a provisional booking at The John Harvey pub, Bear Lane, Lewes at 7pm on Saturday February 21st 2009 for our sociable get together. If you are interested let me know at your earliest convenience, but definitely by February 7th.

Finally, I hope your yule log burned bright, and you were heartened by the winter solstice and the approach of spring and summer. May your days in 2009 be happy, peaceful and healthy.

Best wishes, Mike

 

 

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