Living Wood Courses

Living Wood courses with Mike Abbott are held at Brookhouse Wood, just south of the sleepy market town of Bromyard in rural Herefordshire. They run between May and September and last between 3 and 9 days (see course programme for details). These courses have gained an international repute attracting participants from as far afield as Scandinavia, the USA, Japan and New Zealand. The courses are normally limited to seven participants with two capable assistants working alongside Mike. This level of individual attention means that all courses are suitable for all levels of experience from complete beginners to seasoned experts.

Introductory Courses

The 3-day introductory courses provide a useful taster covering the basic skills of cleaving, shaving and turning. These skills are then put to use in a wide range of projects such as candlesticks, spoons, baby-rattles, hay-rakes, tool handles, shaving horses, stools and more.

Chairmaking Courses

The 6-day chairmaking courses concentrate on the skills used in making a range of post and rail chairs, such as ladder-backs, spindle-backs and lath-backs. This includes all the basic green wood skills as well as steam-bending, seat-weaving, seasoning, and chair assembly. Each student should finish the course with a completed chair capable of lasting a lifetime or more.

Bark-seated Chairmaking Course

The annual bark-seated chairmaking course in June includes an extra day harvesting your own bark for your chair which is included in the course fee (normal cost £30 to £50).

Green Woodwork and Chairs Course

Six-day Green woodwork and Chairs courses give the option of concentrating on chairmaking or undertaking a range of projects covered in the introductory courses.

Combined Course

The ultimate treat is a 9-day course which is the combination of a 3-day and a 6-day course. Here the student can make a chair as well as carrying out one or more of the smaller projects. Alternatively you could undertake a more elaborate chair such as an armchair or rocker. A substantial discount is offered for the combined courses (see course programme for details).

Materials

Most of the wood used on the courses is harvested as an integral part of the management of the surrounding woodlands. All necessary tools, equipment and green wood will be provided but you are very welcome to bring your own. A range of tools will also be for sale. Please note there will be an extra charge for other materials that have to be bought-in, such as chair-seating materials like seagrass, artificial rush, hemp rope and bark, costing variously between £5 and £50 per chair.

Course times

All woodland courses start at 2.00pm on the first day and tuition runs from 9.30am to around 5.30pm on all other days, although students may be able to continue beyond these times.

Development Weeks

In spring, there are a number of Development Weeks in which to get the workshop back into action after the winter hibernation and to carry out any new developments that are needed. These weeks provide an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in setting up a workshop of their own. There will be a charge of £20 per week, to cover food but this will entitle you to a £20 voucher towards the cost of attending one of the regular courses from May to September.

Assistantships

Three-week or 6-month assistantships. Each year there are a limited number of places for people to assist on the courses in exchange for free food, camping and a chance to learn green woodworking skills in more depth. This is ideal for those with some experience who might be interested in following a career in green woodwork. If you are interested please send us a short c.v., including your age, experience and ambitions.

Personal Tuition

As an alternative to the courses at Brookhouse Wood, Mike also offers personal tuition for two people at a time in his timber-framed workshop at his home in nearby Bishops Frome. These courses are suitable as either an introduction to green woodwork, as intensive training for those who wish to concentrate on particular aspects of the subject, or for those who just can’t wait until the summer.
 
Over recent years some examples of participants have been:

• A young woman and her father making a shaving-horse together for a day
• A couple spending a week together making a chair each;
• Two colleagues spending 3 days improving their skills for use on a therapeutic project working with young people;
• Two friends spending 2 days making a pole-lathe together and learning how to use it;
• A part-time green woodworker spending a day perfecting his tool sharpening techniques.

The above examples are to give an idea of what could be covered but each tutorial will be tailored to your precise needs and can include other topics of particular interest. Costs for two people booking together are £150 per day during weekdays or £190 at weekends. It may also be possible to cater for individuals during weekdays at £100 per day. There may also be an extra charge for materials, e.g. £10 for a shaving horse, £80 for a pole-lathe or between £5 and £50 for chair seating.
 
Dates can be arranged to suit your requirements between November and March or in July. Camping is not available for these courses but accommodation can be recommended at some of the excellent b&b or pubs in the area.

What will you take away from a green woodwork course?

• Your own unique wooden produce, created entirely from the log entirely through your own efforts;
• The skills needed to continue on your own as a hobby or to develop further as a fulfilling occupation;
• An awareness of just how much you can achieve without the need for sophisticated powered equipment;
• Probably the most lasting memory will come from the experience of working and relaxing with a group of like-minded people in a peaceful environment away from the pressures of everyday life.