An inspiring morning at Selside School!

Karen Fields, the head teacher, had invited me to the school, partly because of my green blog and also as she is aware that I have a real interest in promoting traditional rural craft skills.
She chatted with me about the idea of demonstrating such skills at the school, for she feels such skills are in decline and have a special relevance in a world which is attempting to address the whole terrifying issue of climate change/global warming.
She recognises, as I do, that one of the most neglected forms of renewable energy is that of ‘human energy’ when we are the machines that can do so much of the work which has been taken over by the gadget world of mechanisation.

I spoke to the whole school, all 70 plus children. I showed them some of the items I had made using 100 per cent no machines. This included a stick chair, stool and willow basket.
Then we broke into small groups and I set about using and demonstrating some of the tools of the trade. They included shave-horse, froe, drawknife, brace and bit, tenon cutter and bow saw.
Throughout the flat-out morning all took turns with the tools and between us we produced 54 legs for a giant 100 leg centipede that I am constructing as part of the alphabet trial project about to be launched in Serpentine Woods, above Kendal.
This way all the children had a cursory-glance-taste of the delight of green woodworking.
The children were stunningly courteous and almost over enthusiastic. I felt so chuffed to have introduced them to a central belief that I hold, namely the appropriateness of simple techniques and low tec technology that is sweet and gentle to the planet for those who tinker away quietly out of site of the aggressive material world. I hope some will return to persue the skills and also discover the therapeutic delight of being hands on in the way I described.


Apologies for being a bit silent in the blog world.

This has been caused by being full on at Sprint Mill, in preparation for a public opening of our five-acre garden around our home. This is being done as part of the NGS (National Garden Scheme), which we have joined for the first time this year.
The NGS raises money for many charity causes, in particular Macmillan Cancer Support. I like the general principle of this place being part of a healing process, both within itself and linked to the wider world. Our first opening day was Sunday, June 24.
A little yellow booklet describes the NGS Cumbria gardens for 2007, of which there are a total of 52. Our entry in the booklet includes the words, to set the scene for the garden, - "Unorthodox five-acre garden (atypical NGS!) combining the wild and natural alongside the provision of owner’s wood fuel and vegetables. Path beside river, strategic handcrafted seats, old water mill building to be explored. Large vegetable and soft fruit area, following no dig and permaculture principles. Hand tools prevail, scythe and fork, rather than mower. Unconventional art and craft display, green-wood-work demonstration and slide show presentation of garden development."
I thought that was a neat summary of the garden and inviting the public in was a way of trying to actively show what we do on site, as part of our attempt at a green-sustainable philosophy way of life.
We had no idea what sort of response and reaction would result from opening our doors! In the event the interest was huge, with well over 200 visitors, many who stayed for ages and wandered into all corners of the garden.
We offered up a book for anyone to comment on their visit "Both positive and negative feedback welcome," it said.
All feedback was in fact positive. One of the most flattering entries read "How refreshing - an unmanicured idyll! Makes you appreciate wildlife and the interaction with nature."
All visitors were given a map of the garden to help them find their way around. A little introduction includes the words: "The remainder of the area comprises very low intervention space, for the benefit of wild life...we hope that our approach will demonstrate the delight and beauty of what grows naturally within a wildlife garden, whilst at the same time accommodating a significant part of our food and wood fuel needs within such a setting." So that sets the scene! It was so satisfying to see so many people among the place, many taking a break from exploration with a cup of tea and yummy homemade cake.

And for those who missed the 24th of June date, a second opening day will take place on Sunday, July 29, between 11am and 5pm All are welcome.