Spring into Bushcraft

or the Wild Garlic Weekend.

Last weekend saw a small group of Woodcrafters heading out into the woods for the spring session of the Bushcraft Training sessions.

There are 2 groups following the same programme, the first group had a brilliantly sunny weekend at the start of the Easter holidays, those of us heading out on Friday had made sure our waterproofs we handy as rain was forecast for most of the time. The weather held out while we got our shelters built and fire lit but there was heavy rain overnight.

Saturday morning was spent in the woods identifying trees, and there various uses and collecting some of the abundant wild garlic growing in the area. This was added to several of the dishes cooked over the weekend including wild garlic bread and a wild garlic soup.

We covered plenty of activities which could be run on group nights, such as thinking about what you would need in a survival tin and learning useful knots as well as practical skills like sharpening our tools.

On Sunday we tested out out new knots and rigged a group hammock from some scrap store webbing. While I'm not sure I would want to sleep in a hammock build for 10 it was quite comfortable, until you wanted to get out!

We all looking forward to the summer session in a few weeks time.

Review from the Golant Training weekend

See Helston Woodcraft's report of the Golant Training weekend back in March, sounds like I missed a fun weekend.

http://www.woodcraft.org.uk/news/report-really-fun-training-weekend

This was our final weekend as part of the 2011 Awards for All grant. Plans are forming for 2012's training sessions so if there is something you would like to see please do let us know.

Review of the AGM

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.