Bush craft equipment (selection)

Transcription

1 Nineveh Trust Bush Craft Activities Introduction In February 2015, Groundwork Wakefield s Park Rangers were awarded 5485 by the Nineveh Trust to engage local people from the Castleford area of West Yorkshire in bush craft activities. They teamed up with local expert Steve Wright and delivered a series of activities in May and August 2015, with a third batch to be delivered in spring The site used was Fryston Trails Country Park (owned by The Land Trust, for whom Groundwork Wakefield are managing agents), situated on the edge of Castleford/Airedale an area of high social deprivation and where some difficulties are experienced on the park anti- social behaviour. The overall aim was to show people that the countryside is a place they can understand and appreciate by engaging with its natural processes creatively. Funding was used to pay for equipment (see below) and Steve s time and expertise; the aim is to continue to make the bush craft tools available for similar community activities in the future. Bush craft equipment (selection) Taster Sessions The first group of activities were aimed at whetting people s appetites for the subject by introducing them to the concept of bush craft through: Creating useful items, with edged tools, like tent pegs to build confidence and remove barriers associated with being outside one s comfort zone. Lighting a fire without matches, to raise self- confidence again and develop a sense of achievement. Making, cooking and enjoying food on an open fire ( brack and orange peel brownies) together. Introduction to shelter building. Twenty- seven people attended this first series of 3 events. Photos from Taster Sessions

2 Nettle cordage introduction Shelter- building Whittling tent pegs, while the brownies cook

3 Blowing coals made with fire bow. Chocolate brownies cooked on the fire Intermediate Sessions In August 2015, the ten people who signed up from the Taster Sessions attended four days of Intermediate activities. These took on a more structured approach, with attendees practising fire lighting, weaving of reed mace leaves, shelter building, navigation and foraging, preparing willow cuttings and making a coracle together; and understanding sustainable woodland and wetland management. These activities covered the first three days, under Steve Wright s supervision and advice; on the fourth and final day, the participants divided into groups in order to put the techniques they had learned into practice. They set off into Fryston Trails Country Park, with two hours to collect what they needed to light a fire, then prepare a hot drink back at the Community Building. Whilst this was

4 underway, staff prepared food for the group. This done, the day ended with a meal and a final session of shelter- building; participants were asked for feedback (see below) and informed about the Spring 2016 activities. Photos from Intermediate Sessions Foraging walk Foraged apples cooking Blackberry & apple pie (Asda pastry!)

5 Fire bowing Reed mat intro Weaving the reed mat

6 Coracle frame Woven reed mat Feedback From: Julian Higgs Sent: 05 September :57 To: David Spencer Subject: Re: Bushcraft Aug 2015 Hi David, Kristian's and my feedback is as follows. First of all we would like to thank you, Michaela and Steve for a brilliant 3 [4] days. Thankfully the weather held, and [we are] grateful for all the hard work, time and effort you put into the course for us. A. We have taken home new skills, which we will definitely continue to use and Kristian will benefit from when joining the RAF. B. Steve's instruction was clear and his obvious knowledge was outstanding. C. We found everyday very enjoyable, and the time allocated to each subject was enough, which also gave us plenty of time to practice etc. Although my wood working skills have much to be desired, but fun!! D. With the range of ages from 67 to 8?, Steve was very patient and enthusiastic with all of us, and can't thank him enough for taking the time to answer all our questions. Our thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm and and dedication. Please keep me informed of any other courses you may be running whether it be for adults or children, as my Granddaughters were very very jealous of our new found skills!! Kind regards Julian and Kristian Higgs

7 From: TheHigherEntity Sent: 09 September :00 To: David Spencer Subject: Re: Bush craft sessions Hi David, We all really enjoyed the activities, when we asked the kids what [their] favourite activities where they said fire starting and foraging but there wasn t anything they didn t enjoy. When asked to suggest things for the next year they suggested making more things like the mat and boat maybe clothing and they would like to try more carving or some sort of toy or instrument making. They also liked catching and examining the grasshoppers, so maybe some sort of bug hunt? Me personally I would like to see more shelter construction, survival skills like finding or filtering water. We have nothing bad to say, everything was well planned and safe. We have learnt some useful things and we are looking forward to next year. if you would like any of the pictures we took let me know and I will send some on. Regards Stephen The next step As mentioned in our application, a further series of bush craft activities will be run in spring 2016 for attendees of the Intermediate Sessions (although this is not a hard- and- fast prerequisite and others can join in, as happened on odd days in August). The plan is for them to comprise the following: Fishing techniques: line & trap- construction (willow- ) Willow weaving; incorporating wetland management, and prep- and planting of cuttings on- site. Build outdoor classroom utilising skills acquired in bush craft lessons. Voluntary involvement in habitat management through bush craft will incorporate discussion and advice from Rangers of career opportunities in biodiversity conservation. Water filtering was also discussed on the final day this summer. As a result of the Nineveh- funded activities, we commissioned Steve Wright separately to run Primitive Technology activities at the other country park we manage for the Land Trust in August 2015 and are planning some Bush craft crafts (a title that needs some more thought) in October half term for younger children. It is hoped that this theme is one we can build upon to add to the usual urban fringe park ranger bug hunts, pond dips and treasure trail activities. David Spencer Senior Ranger Groundwork Wakefield Block C, Normanton Town Hall High Street Normanton WF6 2DZ Tel: /