SUMMER IN THE WOODS

clare | environment | news report

Saturday July 19, 2008 15:04

by Bob Wilson - CELT - Centre for Environmental Living and Training

info at celtnet dot org

CELT, c/o E.Clare Community Coop, Scariff, Co.Clare

061-640765

Traditional and ecological skills training event

CELT - Centre for Environmental Living and Training - the East-Clare-based national environmental education charity, recently held their 5th annual Summer in the Woods event at Bealkelly Wood, Tuamgraney, Co.Clare. Over 80 people from all around the country (and a few overseas visitors) took part in a total of 16 different traditional skills training courses.

Herb Lore with Kes Clarke (back right)

The event was supported by the Heritage Council and brought together skilled craftspersons teaching at various levels in Stone Carving, Greenwood furniture making, Coppersmithing, Herb Lore, Blacksmithing, Sugan Chair making, Dry-stone and Lime mortar Walling, Boat building, Basketry, Felt making, Longbow making, Spinning and Weaving, Cob and Cordwood building, Shave-horse construction (an essential tool for greenwood furniture making) and Rustic Tool making - also there was a woodcrafts course for 8 to 14 yr olds.

Lunch was provided at the 'Rustic Restaurant' - a big marquee served by a kitchen with barbecue and earth oven - the baked spuds and vegetable curry proving extremely popular.

A talk was given on Sustainable Communities by Davie Philip from Cultivate Sustainability Centre in Dublin who explained that there is now a great need to reduce our energy consumption and a good way to do that is to make things at home and build using local natural and recycled materials. The best way to make this work is to do it as a community, cooperating with each other and growing our own food. Hundreds of towns and villages throughout the world have now taken up the Transition initiative to help steer themselves towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

On the Saturday night, the marquee became the venue for entertainment provided by local musicians who gave a wide repertoire of traditional music, ballads and blues.

CELT host similar weekend events every spring, summer and autumn - the next being 27th and 28th September. Bookings can be made on-line - see www.celtnet.org for further details or telephone Sarah on 061-640765, email [email protected] . Some of the crafts can also be sampled at Scariff Harbour Festival on 2nd / 3rd August.

Greenwood Furniture with Stuart McIntyre (right)