Sussex Trug Making course at The Old Kennels, Stentwood, Dunkeswell.
A quick review.
Back in November 2025, I was looking for a hands-on woodworking craft course to extend my skills. I am on The Old Kennels’ mailing list, and had received one of their usual postings about upcoming courses. I have been on a course run there before, making Shaker Boxes, which I enjoyed very much. So I was interested to see that the venue was running a Sussex Trug Making course on 11/12th May ‘26, led by Dominic (‘Dom’) Parrette. I write now having just completed the course.
For those unaware of this place it is a venue for all kinds of craft related courses, set in a beautiful location, with the possibilities of good food and/or accommodation on-site as required. I can leave you to read their website for full details - see https://theoldkennels.co.uk . As is commonly said: book early to avoid disappointment!
The course was explained to our small group of six as being shown and helped in the making of a traditional Sussex Trug, in the traditional way, using hand tools. This turned out to be a challenging diversion for me, as due to my engineering background I’m more used to measuring and marking out before attacking materials with tools. It was very interesting in any case. Dom was very patient, and with copious applications of tea, coffee and biscuits I got there in the end.
The materials used were round lumber pieces of part seasoned chestnut and willow, cricket bat willow to be precise, both of which are found growing in Sussex. There were also some steel tacks and copper nails involved towards the assembly end of the making process, called ‘bunging together’ apparently. I wont go into every detail of making the Trug here, but the processes involved riving (a simple longitudinal splitting task, but when properly taught and executed for yourself it becomes a joyous thing to do, steering the split along the centre of the timber!); steam and water bending of the timbers; smoothing, shaping and thinning with drawknives (including sharpening); and ‘bunging together’.
As I live reasonably close by, I was able to ride/drive down to the Old Kennels each day. I was tired but happy at the end of each of the days. The freshly gravelled shared driveway, with its steep and very sharp turn into the location should not be underestimated though, whether in a car or on a motorcycle….
Dom was a skilled, willing and interesting instructor, and kept our attention throughout the two days. Tracey was an always-smiling and attentive host. I would happily recommend this and the Shaker Box making courses from personal experience, but I’m sure that the other courses run at this venue are equally as good if they are in your area of interest. I have no connection with the venue except as a happy customer.
A few pics:
A quick review.
Back in November 2025, I was looking for a hands-on woodworking craft course to extend my skills. I am on The Old Kennels’ mailing list, and had received one of their usual postings about upcoming courses. I have been on a course run there before, making Shaker Boxes, which I enjoyed very much. So I was interested to see that the venue was running a Sussex Trug Making course on 11/12th May ‘26, led by Dominic (‘Dom’) Parrette. I write now having just completed the course.
For those unaware of this place it is a venue for all kinds of craft related courses, set in a beautiful location, with the possibilities of good food and/or accommodation on-site as required. I can leave you to read their website for full details - see https://theoldkennels.co.uk . As is commonly said: book early to avoid disappointment!
The course was explained to our small group of six as being shown and helped in the making of a traditional Sussex Trug, in the traditional way, using hand tools. This turned out to be a challenging diversion for me, as due to my engineering background I’m more used to measuring and marking out before attacking materials with tools. It was very interesting in any case. Dom was very patient, and with copious applications of tea, coffee and biscuits I got there in the end.
The materials used were round lumber pieces of part seasoned chestnut and willow, cricket bat willow to be precise, both of which are found growing in Sussex. There were also some steel tacks and copper nails involved towards the assembly end of the making process, called ‘bunging together’ apparently. I wont go into every detail of making the Trug here, but the processes involved riving (a simple longitudinal splitting task, but when properly taught and executed for yourself it becomes a joyous thing to do, steering the split along the centre of the timber!); steam and water bending of the timbers; smoothing, shaping and thinning with drawknives (including sharpening); and ‘bunging together’.
As I live reasonably close by, I was able to ride/drive down to the Old Kennels each day. I was tired but happy at the end of each of the days. The freshly gravelled shared driveway, with its steep and very sharp turn into the location should not be underestimated though, whether in a car or on a motorcycle….
Dom was a skilled, willing and interesting instructor, and kept our attention throughout the two days. Tracey was an always-smiling and attentive host. I would happily recommend this and the Shaker Box making courses from personal experience, but I’m sure that the other courses run at this venue are equally as good if they are in your area of interest. I have no connection with the venue except as a happy customer.
A few pics:
places like that, that come with happy personal reviews, are gold 
