Strange how things turn out isn’t it? This course was oversubscribed and by 09:30 on Saturday it was 2 members short! Even so it was a good course with Gareth, Mick, Nick and Johno asking lots of good questions and taking care with their walling – in fact they took too much care and got themselves into a tizzy trying to find that ‘perfect’ stone!
We had a splendid meal at the Chilli Lodge on Saturday night and we were joined by past student Hugo and Barry from High Hoyland Dry Stone Walls. Barry gave the students an alternative insight into walling as a career, the up’s and downs and the difficulty small start up businesses has with the tax man and all the other red tape that is there to trip up today’s entrepreneur.
Sunday was certainly different as we were joined by the TV crew from Yorkshire TV’s My Yorkshire who were filming our course for inclusion in the program. I was worried that the filming would be intrusive and maybe spoil the course but I needn’t have worried on that score. The crew (Mark Stokes (Camera), Terry Meadowcroft (Sound), Ian Clayton (Presenter) and Jane Hickson (Producer)) were great and really nice people so before too long we were one big happy walling family!! To make the course run smoothly with so many folk involved, Barry very kindly gave up his Sunday to give me a hand.
I think all the course, and Barry too, were chuffed to be interviewed by Ian for My Yorkshire. They were that chuffed they didn’t make any sarcy comments when Ian had a go at some walling!
If the care and patience the crew used in filming our course is anything to go by, the TV program should be great!
Thank you to one and all for a great course. It was a pleasure to meet you and I’ll look forward to seeing you on an Improvers Course – including Ian!! A big thanks to Barry for his help and humour!!
The course from L to R: Nick, Santa's large helper Barry, Mick, Jonathan (Johno) and Gareth
" I enjoyed the weekend and had a great sense of achievement when we'd finished the wall"
"This course was a great introduction to the art of Dry Stone Walling. Instructor was excellent. Very friendly atmosphere"
"From a younger persons perspective this course offers a valuable alternative to everyday life. Really interesting and I learned a lot. Thanks!"
"I found this beginners course excellent. It has taught me the basics of Dry Stone Walling which is valuable knowledge and an additional skill. I look forward to future Improvers Courses!"
Post Script: We had the first batch of plaques made with names of those who have contributed to the re-walling of Nabs Wood and the first plaque was placed in the wall at the end of this course. A big thank you to John Walton Engraving who really pulled out the stops to get the plaques engraved and back to me in 5 days and a huge thanks to Dave Steel who made fixings and mounted the plaques ready for fitting.
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