A friendly introduction to carving rustic greenwood bowls with traditional hand tools, using wood harvested from our own woodland.

Humans have been crafting bowls for thousands of years, usually choosing freshly harvested wood, as it is much easier to carve than dry wood. There is something quite special about crafting a useful item from local raw materials, using nothing but hand tools and a little time.

This course is designed to be a friendly introduction to carving greenwood bowls and is suitable for beginners, including those keen to carry on using these skills at home. You will carve your bowl from a length of recently harvested wood, usually alder, silverbirch or sycamore, and your bowl will be suitable for use in the kitchen, storing smaller items or simply as a decorative piece.

For those interested in having a go back home we can spend time discussing suitable woods to use, tool options and sharpening, and a little advice on work stations.

This is a great way to unwind, connect with nature and explore your more creative side. The course will run from my woodland workshop in Ghyll Wood on the fabulous Wyresdale Park estate. This course will take place outside making use of our outdoor shelter if needed, and we can make use of our indoor workshop should the weather not cooperate!

You will be taught the safe use of tools, and how to create a safe work station, but please be aware that working with any edge tools presents an element of risk.

What you need to know

This course is suitable for anyone 18 years+ with an interest in learning a little about the thrills of working with greenwood, no previous wood-crafting skills necessary. Young people age 14 – 18 are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult who is also a paying participant - please get in touch if you have any questions.

As with all our courses this is available as a private booking for a 121 or small friends/family group. Please enquire.

Please wear clothing that is suitable for the expected weather conditions and that you don't mind getting a little messy, and good fitting, sturdy footwear with a grippy sole. Please provide your own lunch, and you can make use of the Applestore café for take out. Please note that you will not have time for a sit down lunch at the café.

Description supplied by the event organiser.