Training course 30th September at Whirlow Hall Farm

We held a training weekend at Whirlow Hall Farm and apart from the serious part of instructing and learning, a great deal of fun was had by one and all. Here are a few photo's of the event:-























Thanks to all who attended the course and those from South Yorkshire DSWA who gave up their valuable time to instruct or help out.

Information for our training weekend 11th and 12th November 2006

SOUTH YORKSHIRE BRANCH

DRY STONE WALLING ASSOCIATION

TWO DAY TRAINING COURSE IN

DRY STONE WALLING

Course Information

Dates: Saturday 11th & Sunday 12^th November 2006

Location: Hoylandswaine, Barnsley

Level: Beginners and Improvers

Cost per person for the two day course

£60 (includes DSWA Open Membership for 2006 and 2007)

£40 for existing DSWA members

During a training course you can:

• Learn the basic principles of dry stone walling
• Contribute to the conservation of our valuable local dry stone walls
• Enjoy working in the countryside in a structured but informal atmosphere
• Be taught by accredited DSWA instructors and members of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

South Yorkshire Branch’s training courses offer structured tuition for men, women and young people in an informal atmosphere. All the instructors hold the DSWA Instructor’s Certificate and are members of the Association. At the beginning of the course you will meet your instructor and any assistants at an introductory welcome and briefing. The course teaches the basic principles of dry stone walling which will involve taking down (‘stripping out’) a derelict or damaged section of wall and rebuilding it to DSWA standards. You can work at your own pace and not under pressure.

These courses are open to anyone from teens to 80+, provided they are reasonably fit and well. Serious injuries in walling are rare, but care is needed when handling and working with stones to avoid back, hand, feet and eye injuries. Safety instruction and guidance will be given by the instructor.

All training courses run by South Yorkshire DSWA have public liability insurance to cover course members for injury and third party risks. Course participants should arrange their own personal insurance if they feel this is relevant.

The courses run from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, unless stated otherwise in the course information.

Please bring a packed lunch and hot or cold drinks.

It is a good idea to bring a hat, sunblock and plenty of drinking water in hot weather.

There are male and female toilet facilities near the walling site.

Course information, a map giving directions and parking details will be sent to you upon receipt of a completed application form and payment. During the course you may be working away from the car park and consequently you are advised to keep your valuables with you.

Clothing

Appropriate clothing and protection will help you enjoy the event more. In addition to a robust jacket and over-trousers (for colder weather), layers of working clothes suitable for all weathers are recommended to protect against any dusty, muddy or wet conditions.

Many people, including professional wallers, find knee pads or a garden kneeler, a sensible form of protection (These can be purchased on site).

Strong, protective gloves are essential. PVC types are good for wet conditions (some people like to wear a thin lining glove inside). Thin cotton or suede gardening gloves will not last or give sufficient protection for stone work.

Footwear

Shoes or boots, ideally with reinforced toecaps for added protection.

If your footwear doesn’t have reinforced toecaps, wear the most robust protective footwear you possess with some thick socks.

Other Recommended Protective Items

It is recommended that protective safety glasses (provided for the duration of the course) are worn whenever walling hammers are used.

A personal First Aid kit including antiseptic wipes and plasters is useful.

All other tools and equipment will be provided for course members.

If you wish to bring some of your own tools (see list below) it is recommended that you mark them with coloured, weatherproof tape:

• A walling hammer – not necessary at some events, but available from the South Yorkshire DSWA
• A stong bucket for your ‘hearting’ stones (preferably rubber)
• A retractable steel tape measure
• A mattock and/or spade and/or shovel

South Yorkshire Branch courses take place whatever the weather. However, if snow or severe frost is forecast, please check in advance with organisers.

For more information or to book training courses contact:

Les Young, Tel: 07952 551025, Email: les@morgan-young.com

Website: www.southyorkshiredswa.org.uk/

The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA) , founded in 1968, is an expanding organisation which promotes the craft of dry stone walling, provides opportunities for the public to acquire knowledge of it, and seeks to ensure that the craft has a thriving future. The DSWA strives to promote high standards of workmanship and operates the only national, graded, skills certification scheme from Beginner to Master Craftsman standard. Members of the Association include male and female professional wallers, enthusiastic amateur wallers, stone suppliers, historians, farmers and environmentalists.

The DSWA has a national network of local branches. The South Yorkshire Branch serves the area around Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, although a number of its members actually live further afield and people from all over the country have taken part in its training courses.

The training courses we operate take place throughout the year with structured tuition given for both men and women in an informal atmosphere. Everyone taking part is taught the basic principles of dry stone walling, working at their own pace.

The South Yorkshire Branch holds a monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at The Cock Inn, Birdwell, Barnsley. New members and visitors are always very welcome.

To find out more about walling and the South Yorkshire DSWA, please contact:

SOUTH YORKSHIRE BRANCH

Alan Davenport (Chairman) (01226) 240493

Gary Helliwell (Vice-Chairman) (01226) 283847

Les Young (Secretary) 07952 551025

Log onto www.southyorkshiredswa.org.uk/ for the latest Branch news, contacts, etc

DSWA HEADQUARTERS

Alison Shaw, Secretary, Westmorland County Showground, Crooklands, Milnthorpe, Cumbria LA7 7NH (01539) 567953

Email – information@dswa.org.uk

Website - www.dswa.org.uk

Whirlow Hall Fair, Sept 2006

We demonstrated our walling craft at the Whirlow Hall Fair, Sheffield, building a short section of wall with a lunkey (a hole for sheep and other animals to get through the wall).

Here are a few photo's of the day and a few friends we made.........

The day begins with the statutory cuppa before the public arrive.

The foundations go in

'I got hands.............'

The crowds flock round on what was a beautifully warm and sunny day.

The wall approaches full height

Ed places the copestones onto the wall

Alan shows Ed how to lie down on the job

Ed looks pleased - and so he should do as he carted all the stone to this site from our training site up the hill for us to build the wall. Alan and Tom share this moment. A big thank you to Ed and Rob for organising the branch demo for the show and getting all the materials to site.

The building team from L to R: Tom, John, Mick, George, Carl, Alan, Rob and Ed (Les not in the picture)

We had lots of interest from all kinds of people.

Rob demostrates how to lie down on the job Roman style, beating Alans previous feeble attempt.

Carl performs his rendition of 'Swing Low' with all the hand actions to an amazed onlooker.

Alan le Worsborough Dale has a pop at the evil sherrif assisted by Little John (or so his Mrs says)

OUR FRIENDS.................

This is Alistair Hayhurst from Underwood Crafts ( www.underwoodcrafts.co.uk ) showing Les how to split Hazel and make a hurdle. It's not as easy as a skilled wood craftsman such as Alistair makes it look. Thanks for letting us have a try - and sorry about the hurdle!!

This gentleman carried a hod of bricks from Lands End to John O'Groats for charity. He has raised many thousands of pounds for charities and has also given a foster home to a lot of children. He is an amazing generous person and an example to us all.

Training Weekend 11th and 12th November at Hoylandswaine

We are holding a training course for beginners and improvers at our Hoylandswaine training site on Saturday 11th November and Sunday 12th November. If you wish to attend this course, either email Les at les@morgan-young.com or call him on 07952 551025 for an application form.

Course prices are £60 for non DSWA members, which includes membership to the DSWA, or £40 to existing DSWA members.