Straw Works, a Todmorden company run by award winning strawbale builder Barbara Jones, is running a new series of courses in Todmorden over the winter.
Barbara Jones at Incredible Edible Mytholm's Field Day in March
First off on Saturday 23rd November, Planning your Strawbale Build is a one day seminar that focusses on project managing a strawbale build. This seminar will look at ways of bringing your project in on quality, on budget and on time. There’ll also be discussions about design, permissions, the stages of a build and what materials & equipment you’ll need. A seminar pack comprising handouts, checklists and a case study will be available to take away and use as a basis for your Winter planning. Planning your Strawbale Build is on Saturday 23rd November in the New Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Street, Todmorden (behind The Bear wholefood shop).
Next, on Sunday 8th December, The First Straw is for everyone who wants to know about strawbale building but hasn’t experienced it yet. Maybe you’ve seen it on Grand Designs; maybe you want to build your own studio in the garden. It is not a practical course (those come later!) but it covers a history of strawbale building, reasons why you would choose to use straw for building, environmental and sustainability issues, basic introduction to techniques and design, and an opportunity to ask questions. Catch the First Straw on Sunday 8th December in the New Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Street, Todmorden (behind The Bear wholefood shop).
Getting Plastered, the last of the Winter courses, is an introductory course for everyone who wants to know about breathable plasters but has no experience yet. It covers a history of lime and clay plasters, reasons why you would choose to use them, environmental and sustainability issues, basic introduction to the materials, and an opportunity to ask questions. You can come and get plastered with us on Saturday 11th January in the New Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Street, Todmorden (behind The Bear wholefood shop).
Barbara said,
“Winter is a preparation time. Why not use the shorter, darker days to plan and be ready to build as soon as the weather picks up?”
All Todmorden courses are at the New Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Street, Todmorden OL14 5PU (behind The Bear wholefood shop) and cost a mere £35 each.
These courses are also held at other venues, please see www.strawworks.co.uk for details.
To book a place on one of Straw Works Winter courses, email Jane at strawworks@gmail.com or use paypal on the website.
