Beginners Dry Stone Walling Course 11th -12th August 2007, Silkstone Common, South Yorkshire
Instructor : Les Young
Students: Andy Suttie ( this is moi), Alan Bell, John Armitage, Mike Dennis, Ian Garside, Reece Senior
The course started on the Saturday morning, where else but in the local Pub ( The Station Inn). Unfortunately the bar was closed and tea / coffee was all that was available. We started with the some basic theory for approx 1 hour. We then went off to Nabs Wood, a quiet little spot, the sun was shining, it was going to be a beautiful day, in fact it was bloody roasting.
We were to continue a wall started by a previous course. We did, in the end do another 4.5 meters between the 6 of us. We first had to get our stone sorted out, this sounds a bit daft but it really does make life a lot easier when you start to build your wall, largest stones in a row nearest the wall, and then about 4 or 5 more rows with the smallest stones furthest from the wall. This took about 1.5 hours. After lunch we started by preparing the foundations, then used the largest stones for the base. During the course of the day we did the first foot of the wall. Les kept everyone happy by preparing copious amounts of tea. We finished on the Saturday at about 1630, and guess what, yes back to the pub for some light refreshment in the form of Tetley’s, and I don’t mean Teabags. As is normal we then went to the Chilli Lodge Indian Restaurant for some nice food and some more beer........
On Sunday we were back on the job at 0930 to continue the wall. We were lucky with the weather again, although cooler it stayed dry. By lunch time we had the first lift done and the through stones in place. The second lift was complete by about 1500, and by 1600 we had the copestones in place and our part in the great rewall of Nabs Wood done. We then adjourned to the pub for a well earned beer(s) and the certificate presentation.
During the weekend we had a couple of visits from Barry a professional dry stone waller from High Hoyland. I think he only turned up for a brew! We also had a visit from Charlotte from Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, who said she was impressed by the work we had done.
It was a great weekend and a great course, Les really knows his stuff. I would recommend anyone to have a go at Dry Stone Walling, man or woman. It is very relaxing and when the weather is as nice as it was this weekend, it makes it all the more enjoyable. Also I made some new friends, a real nice bunch of guys. At the end of course, you have something to show for your efforts, which will be there for many years to come.
Andy Suttie
Welwyn Garden City
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