This weekend saw a small group of people meeting at the Barton Camp centre for the SWAN AGM and training weekend
The centre is set in beautiful countryside and the view from the dinning room was spectacular. The weather held long enough for people to enjoy a walk on Saturday afternoon.There was plenty of indoor space to for our morning workshops and the AGM itself. Sunday was wet but the sports hall was great for the games workshop.
We were joined at the AGM session by several people from the Coop, who were very positive about what we have achieved in the last year. Looking forward to the year ahead we already have a training weekend booked in Golant YHA in March, and the Bushcraft groups who started with the autumn session last year have got 3 more weekends to look forward to.
Debs Mccahon, came to join is and let us know of the positive developments at the Wilderness Centre in the Forest of Dean. While not technically in the SWAN area it is a centre we have used several times for events and we were very sad to hear of it's closure. A group of people, including Woodcraft have been working hard to try and buy the centre and run it as an outdoor centre once again. It's sound like things are going well, you can keep up with the latest developments on the Firends of the Wilderness Centres website.
There are also positive signs of group development, with a group opening in Weymouth and another couple of clusters of people working on starting new groups in the area.
After our elections there are some changes to the SWAN committee, we say Goodbye to Amy, our outgoing chair, and Mike who has been our treasurer since the committee formed. Both have worked hard for SWAN for several years now. We also welcome Eric who is joining this year, Jenny will become the new chair. We still have a couple of places on the committee to fill, so if you think you would like to be involved please let us know.
Hopefully 2012 will be a great year for SWAN.
News and Events from the South West Area Network
Monday, 5 March 2012
Monday, 20 February 2012
Come one, come all to the annual SWAN General Meeting. Help us hold our AGM, network, attend some enjoyable and useful training, and enjoy yourself in the company of Woodies from around the South West.
The weekend promises a mix of family workshops and training sessions, with crèche provision for the younger family members and of course plenty of time to spend with friends old a new from around the area.
The programme will include training on safeguarding and behaviour management, a walk, camp-fire, games exchange with Dan Thompson and quilt-making. Yes, I said quilt-making!
Plus the chance to hear about what's been happening in the region, and maybe even join the SWAN committee.
Sound interesting?, contact training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk for more details and to book your place
As usual we are asking for a deposit of £10 per person which will be refunded to you on your arrival at the weekend.
The weekend promises a mix of family workshops and training sessions, with crèche provision for the younger family members and of course plenty of time to spend with friends old a new from around the area.
The programme will include training on safeguarding and behaviour management, a walk, camp-fire, games exchange with Dan Thompson and quilt-making. Yes, I said quilt-making!
Plus the chance to hear about what's been happening in the region, and maybe even join the SWAN committee.
Sound interesting?, contact training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk for more details and to book your place
As usual we are asking for a deposit of £10 per person which will be refunded to you on your arrival at the weekend.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
AGM weekend
The date has been set, 2nd - 4th March 2012
The venue has been booked http://www.bartoncamp.co.uk/
The programme is still a work in progress, as always there will a short formal session to keep everyone up to date with the happenings in the SWAN area over the last year and time to elect a new committee and look forward to making plans for 2012.
The venue has been booked http://www.bartoncamp.co.uk/
The programme is still a work in progress, as always there will a short formal session to keep everyone up to date with the happenings in the SWAN area over the last year and time to elect a new committee and look forward to making plans for 2012.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Escot Fun day
This years annual SWAN fun day will be on Saturday 1st October at Escot near Exeter.
The cost is £5 per person for the fun day only or £7 for those stayong over on the bivvy. This is generously subsidised by the South West Coop group.
There should be something for everyone from Viking knitting and Saxon bread making to the ever popular swamp walk (bring a change of clothes if you plan on doing that one) and storytelling round the campfire. There will also be time to enjoy the facilities of Escot itself with the otters and birds of prey and of course not forgetting the drop slide.
Activities will start at 10am and we'll have a closing circle at 4pm, however the fun doesn't stop there. There is also the option to stay on for the bivvy. Build you own shelter and sleep out in the woods, an experience never forgotton.
Places for the bivvy are limited so booking is essential, also as the is an overnight event all adults attending must be registered adult members.
If you would like to come along please email Clayton (training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk) for further details.
The cost is £5 per person for the fun day only or £7 for those stayong over on the bivvy. This is generously subsidised by the South West Coop group.
There should be something for everyone from Viking knitting and Saxon bread making to the ever popular swamp walk (bring a change of clothes if you plan on doing that one) and storytelling round the campfire. There will also be time to enjoy the facilities of Escot itself with the otters and birds of prey and of course not forgetting the drop slide.
Activities will start at 10am and we'll have a closing circle at 4pm, however the fun doesn't stop there. There is also the option to stay on for the bivvy. Build you own shelter and sleep out in the woods, an experience never forgotton.
Places for the bivvy are limited so booking is essential, also as the is an overnight event all adults attending must be registered adult members.
If you would like to come along please email Clayton (training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk) for further details.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Getting ready for the fun day, 1st Oct
Grab your diary and make a note, the date for this years annual fun day and bivvy is set for the 1st of October.
This year we'll be at Escot, near Exeter.
There will be lots to do, from the campfire and bushcraft to flour milling and bread making in the Saxon village. Don't forget to bring a change of clothes if you want do brave the swamp walk!
The fun day activities will end at 4pm but the fun does not stop, there is also the option to stay on and bivvy overnight, building shelters and sleeping out in the woods.
This year we'll be at Escot, near Exeter.
There will be lots to do, from the campfire and bushcraft to flour milling and bread making in the Saxon village. Don't forget to bring a change of clothes if you want do brave the swamp walk!
The fun day activities will end at 4pm but the fun does not stop, there is also the option to stay on and bivvy overnight, building shelters and sleeping out in the woods.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
An unusual place to stay
Many groups have camped a Biblins. As well as the camping fields they have a couple of more recent additions. A camping barn and "The Burrow".
The burrow is a fascinating cross between camping and hostelling. There are bunk beds, separated from the living area by canvas panels, the roof slides open in good weather and the central wooden poles give a very marquee like feel to the whole thing. There is an enclosed field next to the building so safe boundaries are easily defined.
There is a kitchen area with running cold water and a metal worktop for your gas rings. The building also has a toilet.
You do need to bring along your own cooking stuff and I'd suggest some back up lights in case you get a dull couple of days as the lights are solar powered.
All in all it was rather like camping with a well equipped marquee, kitchen tent and personal tents for 19 people but without the risk of having all that wet canvas to dry off when you get home. If you are small group looking for somewhere to stay it really is worth a look.
The burrow is a fascinating cross between camping and hostelling. There are bunk beds, separated from the living area by canvas panels, the roof slides open in good weather and the central wooden poles give a very marquee like feel to the whole thing. There is an enclosed field next to the building so safe boundaries are easily defined.
There is a kitchen area with running cold water and a metal worktop for your gas rings. The building also has a toilet.
You do need to bring along your own cooking stuff and I'd suggest some back up lights in case you get a dull couple of days as the lights are solar powered.
All in all it was rather like camping with a well equipped marquee, kitchen tent and personal tents for 19 people but without the risk of having all that wet canvas to dry off when you get home. If you are small group looking for somewhere to stay it really is worth a look.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Bushcraft Training, 2011 - 2012
A series of four weekends of Bushcraft Training run by Nic http://greatbearbushcraft.blogspot.com/ . The sessions will be arranged so there is one in each season. The aim is a Train the trainers approach and we're hoping people will be able to take the skills they've learnt and pass them on to others.
The first weekend will be 7th - 9th October 2001, the remaining weekends will be January, March and June 2012.
The cost will be £20 per person which covers the 4 sessions and includes a knife and fire flint to get your bushcraft kit started.
If you are interested please contact Clayton (training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk) before 13th May. Places are limited to 10 so we'll be aiming to make sure that there are people from across the whole of the SWAN area.
The first weekend will be 7th - 9th October 2001, the remaining weekends will be January, March and June 2012.
The cost will be £20 per person which covers the 4 sessions and includes a knife and fire flint to get your bushcraft kit started.
If you are interested please contact Clayton (training@southwestwoodcraft.org.uk) before 13th May. Places are limited to 10 so we'll be aiming to make sure that there are people from across the whole of the SWAN area.
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