The North Wales Branch of the Dry Stone Walling Assocaiation (DSWA) has just announced the dates for its 2012 training programme. Following a marked decrease in bookings in 2011 the programme was in danger of being dropped for 2012, however it has been possible to arrange a reduced programme thanks to a grant from the Clwydian Range AoNB.
The Branch will be running two taster days and a training weekend on Moel Famau in the Clwydian range, as well as other tasters, training weekend, and specialist courses at Pen y Pass alongside Snowdon. There is also a new venue at Plas Derwen in Corwen. The Branch has begun repairing walls at this former vicarage primarily with members from other Branches in England, but this year newcomers to the craft will be able to participate in the renovation programme. Full details of courses can be found at www.dswales.org.uk/training.html.
The DSWA is a national charity which aims to “preserve, improve and advance education in the craft of dry stone walling for the benefit of the public” and training plays a significant role in this. The North Wales Branch draws from a pool of experienced professionals qualified to teach the craft.
Courses attract a wide range of participants from those who have just always wanted to have a go to others who have a garden wall to repair, or those wishing to take up the craft full time. Bill Sheppard (Hoole Chester) first experienced walling with the Branch and described it as a “Great day, picked up lots of information and skills. A day well spent!” Bill took up an offer to attend further practice days, and last year won the Amateur category of the Snowdonia Society’s Annual Competition.
On taster days participants dismantle small sections of wall that need maintenance rather than completely rebuilding (small collapse, bulges). These are relatively informal days, where participants have the opportunity to try their hand and get an idea of how stones go together, as well as discovering all about hearting (fill) and coping (top stones). If participants want to try more they can then sign up for weekend training courses where a section of wall is dismantled and rebuilt providing an opportunity to tackle foundations and discover all about line and batter – the shape of walls, which essentially taper from the foundation towards the cope to aid stability.
In addition to the dry stone wall courses the branch also hopes to run a Clawdd (stone faced earth bank course) to mark the publication of a new instruction manual (thought to be the first explaining this ancient skill) due out this summer, as well as a single skin wall (literally a wall primarily one stone thick) seminar in September.
If you have you ever fancied trying your hand at dry stone walling, now’s your chance. Maybe you’ve had a go and the stones just would not fit together, or you just want to learn more. Perhaps you chance want a break from sitting in the office. “For someone who spends all day in an office, this taster day was a real eye opener and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone.” (John Sheehan, Caergwrle, Wrexham).
Moel Famau:
Taster days: 28th April; 30th June. Training Course: 1&2 September
Corwen:
Taster day: 16th June
Pen y Pass
Taster days: 26th May ; 28th July. Training Course: 29&30 September
For further details on all courses please contact Paul Smyth (Training Officer): 07554245667; [email protected]
For further information on DSWA please contact Sean Adcock(Hon.Secretary): 01286871275; [email protected]
