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Build Your Own Cob Oven workshop

18th-19th September

Inspire yourself and tantalise your senses during a weekend connecting with the earth at a beautiful rural location in Wales. Come along and learn how to build a fully functioning sculpted bread oven from cob. An ideal first project for those new to cob building....


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Title : Build Your Own Cob Oven workshop

Date : 18th-19th September 2010

Location : Bronwydd, Carmarthanshire, S.Wales

Cost : £180/ £140 (including food and camping).


Course details

Inspire yourself and tantalise your senses during a weekend connecting with the earth at a beautiful rural location in Wales. Come along and learn how to build a fully functioning sculpted bread oven from cob. An ideal first project for those new to cob building....


Objectives

The course will aim to introduce methods of earth/cob building, and will include theory and practice with short demonstrations; however, the emphasis will be on hands-on learning. You will find space for fun and creativity and expect a workout for the body and mind! Participants should leave feeling confident in their ability to build the cob parts of an oven and to make and apply an earthen plaster.


Practical sessions will cover:

• The location and testing of suitable materials.
  
  
• Mixing cob successfully by foot. How to adapt your mixes to suit the conditions and elements in the design.
  
  
• All the essential aspects of building a domed oven, as well as ways of sculpting and finishing cob.
  
  
• Learn how to make and apply an earthen plaster, which will include some cob bas relief sculpture.
  
  
• Learn about relevant tools for building and baking in your oven.
  
  
• See how to fire up an oven efficiently, as well as methods of cooking and baking.

Theory sessions will cover:

• A brief introduction to the philosophy and history of cob and other natural building methods.
  
  
• The advantages of using earth ovens and building with earth in general.
  
  
• Simple roof design for ovens and small structures.
  
  
• Siting, foundations and drainage for ovens and small structures.

During the weekend there will be a visual presentation of cob from around the world, from the functional to the fantastic. Magical and inspiring buildings to fire your imagination.

About the land at Bronwydd
Info to follow shortly

The surrounding area
Info to follow shortly

How to get there

Full directions by bicycle, public transport and car will be sent to you when you book. To encourage cycling, public transport and car-sharing, there will be a levy of £5 for every car. This money will be used to plant a tree on the land.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be camping and for those of you who are less inclined to the camping life and who wish to pay extra, there are a host of local B&Bs, however we do recommend you try stay on site to enjoy the full experience of the workshop and the land.



Facilities

The water comes direct from the woodland spring. There are flush toilets, and hot showers. For the cooler evenings you can warm up in front of the outdoor fireplace or relax in the outdoor wood fired bath. A marquee kitchen and dining area is available for shelter and a cordwood sacred space for meditation. A tipi classroom will also be used during the workshop. Children are welcome to participate but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. There are no childcare facilities available on site.



Food
An on-site chef will be providing hearty vegetarian meals with vegan options (please inform us a.s.a.p if you have any special dietary requirements).




Schedule

We will expect participants to arrive Friday evening by 6 p.m for a hearty meal at 7p.m and introductions. Your day will start at 9.00 a.m and finish 5.00 p.m except for Sunday which will finish 4p.m




What to bring

Camping gear, pen/pencil and notebook, camera, work clothes or overalls, boots/wellies, warm clothing, waterproofs, torch, money for the pub!




Instructors

Alan Cameron-Duff and Annabel Fawcus apprenticed with Cob Cottage Company, the inspiration for thousands of natural builders around the world. They were so inspired they went on to build many cob structures in the UK, America and New Zealand and set up their own business Earthed here in Britain to enable others to access there own creative potential and inspire people to build using sustainable materials.




Booking

Please book directly through Earthed. Tel: 07917361580 Email: info@earthedworld.co.uk

Please then complete and send us a booking form with deposit to secure a place on the course. We will then confirm your booking, sending you detailed directions and information about what to bring etc.

There are 15 places available so please book as soon as possible.


Click here for a printable booking form