You are all cordially invited to Chopwell Woods on the weekend of 14th and 15th July 2007.
The occasion is the Chopwell Forest Festival, a massive event covering woodcraft, bushcraft, archery, falconry etc. There are three top rated bands booked to provide live entertainment throughout the weekend. There will be jugglers, stilt walkers, living history as well as the more traditional green woodworking, carving, charcoal burning, horse logging and chair bodging and loads of other stuff that I can't remember right now.
As you know, I have been heavily promoting bushcraft within the wider community for years now and this is an opportunity for you guys to showcase your skills and talents. We need a group of bushcrafters for our bushcraft camp display area. There are maybe half a dozen up this way who will definitely be there, but they are still in the learning stage and don't necessarily feel comfortable demonstrating to the general public and answering in depth questions.
We will have a large area in which to set up, among beech, oak and alder trees. The ground is mainly flat with loads of leaf litter so debris shelters will be getting built. There's also loads of space for bashas, hammocks and tents. We can have open fires.
There's always a decent party or two on the Saturday night as well once the public have gone so bring a bottle and a few tinnies. (The public are only there 10.00am till 5.00pm both days)
So, if you fancy a bushcrafting weekend with a difference, Chopwell is the place for you. Some funding may be available for travelling expenses for those able to demonstrate specific bushcraft skills and are coming from some distance.
Last year the main theme was mountain biking, next year we hope it'll be Bushcraft. This is our opportunity to make an impression. There will be TV and radio coverage during the weekend as well, and for those of you who have read Green Woodwork, you may well get the opportunity to meet it's author Mike Abbot who will be at the festival.
Finally, if you have any gear you'd like to flog, no problem. I'll be selling woodcraft items and leather stuff as well as custom firesteels. We don't even have to make a donation as giving our time is seen as enough.
There will be betwen 4000 and 6000 visitors over the two days, and as the festival is designed round a huge circuit, most of them will see you and what you're doing.
The location of Chopwell Forest is just a few miles south west of newcastle upon Tyne. I'll post full directions later on.
There will also be portaloos on site and plenty ice cream and burger vans. You'll also have loads of time to explore all the exhibits yourselves.
Who's interested? I just need approximate numbers right now so I can make sure we have a large enough area in which to work.
To see some photos from last years event :
http://chopwellfestival.org/pages/gallery/festival-2006.php (I'm the one dressed like a pillock demonstrating archery)
The main festival web site is here:
http://www.chopwellfestival.org/
Any questions, ask away.
Eric
The occasion is the Chopwell Forest Festival, a massive event covering woodcraft, bushcraft, archery, falconry etc. There are three top rated bands booked to provide live entertainment throughout the weekend. There will be jugglers, stilt walkers, living history as well as the more traditional green woodworking, carving, charcoal burning, horse logging and chair bodging and loads of other stuff that I can't remember right now.
As you know, I have been heavily promoting bushcraft within the wider community for years now and this is an opportunity for you guys to showcase your skills and talents. We need a group of bushcrafters for our bushcraft camp display area. There are maybe half a dozen up this way who will definitely be there, but they are still in the learning stage and don't necessarily feel comfortable demonstrating to the general public and answering in depth questions.
We will have a large area in which to set up, among beech, oak and alder trees. The ground is mainly flat with loads of leaf litter so debris shelters will be getting built. There's also loads of space for bashas, hammocks and tents. We can have open fires.
There's always a decent party or two on the Saturday night as well once the public have gone so bring a bottle and a few tinnies. (The public are only there 10.00am till 5.00pm both days)
So, if you fancy a bushcrafting weekend with a difference, Chopwell is the place for you. Some funding may be available for travelling expenses for those able to demonstrate specific bushcraft skills and are coming from some distance.
Last year the main theme was mountain biking, next year we hope it'll be Bushcraft. This is our opportunity to make an impression. There will be TV and radio coverage during the weekend as well, and for those of you who have read Green Woodwork, you may well get the opportunity to meet it's author Mike Abbot who will be at the festival.
Finally, if you have any gear you'd like to flog, no problem. I'll be selling woodcraft items and leather stuff as well as custom firesteels. We don't even have to make a donation as giving our time is seen as enough.
There will be betwen 4000 and 6000 visitors over the two days, and as the festival is designed round a huge circuit, most of them will see you and what you're doing.
The location of Chopwell Forest is just a few miles south west of newcastle upon Tyne. I'll post full directions later on.
There will also be portaloos on site and plenty ice cream and burger vans. You'll also have loads of time to explore all the exhibits yourselves.
Who's interested? I just need approximate numbers right now so I can make sure we have a large enough area in which to work.
To see some photos from last years event :
http://chopwellfestival.org/pages/gallery/festival-2006.php (I'm the one dressed like a pillock demonstrating archery)
The main festival web site is here:
http://www.chopwellfestival.org/
Any questions, ask away.
Eric
