On this course we had Beginners, Improvers and a practice for Level 1 DSWA/Lantra examinations taking place. It was a great pleasure to welcome back past students and welcome new students to the beautiful (and very wet!) Colden Valley, who were wanting to learn the ancient craft of Dry Stone Walling.
All looked well on the Saturday morning as we walked up the hill from the accommodation after spending an hour learning all about H & S and the theory behind dry stone walling. As a precaution we had brought our shelter tent as the weather forecast wasn't too clever according to the BBC - and who argues with the BBC eh?!
Not long into stripping down the wall which the Beginners and Improvers were going to work on, the heavens opened and, just as it had done last August, it persisted it down in sharp bursts. But I'm very glad to say it didn't stop the walling - nor the banter!!
"Billy No Mates" Jayne drew the short straw and got started with her practice level 1 test on a section of wall (located at the top of the hill about 400m as the crow flys from where the lads were walling) which Helen had asked us to repair. I knew there wouldn't be enough stone to complete the repair but the gap was more than the 2.5 sq metres required for the level 1 test which was sufficient to give Jayne a taste of what is ahead when she takes her dry stone walling exams.
After a good soaking and slipping about in the mud it was all too soon time to pack in for the day and descend into Hebden Bridge for some fantastic beers and a GREAT meal at Theo's Greek Cypriot Restaurant. (We'd had a stunning Turkish meal at the Olive Branch the night before so honours even as far as we were concerned!!)
Day two started a little better but deteriorated as the day worse on. As before it didn't dampen our spirits (even when one of the tent poles snapped in the wind!) and the walls started to rise at a rapid rate.
At lunchtime Steve serenaded us with his version of one of my favourite Mississippi John Hurt songs, "Ain't Nobodys Business", and very good it was too!
Thanks to everyone for a great course and not letting the weather get to you!
Here are some photo's and videos of the course:
Beginners Course from L to R: Steve, Steve, Ray and Ian
Improvers Course: Louis and Neil 
Level 1 test practice from the centre: JayneA big thank you to Helen and Phil for the use of their land, walls and facilities (get well soon Helen!). Thank you to John and Anne Greenacre of Riverdene House, Colden for their immaculate accommodation and even better breakfasts; to the New Delight, Fox and Goose and the many other pubs in Hebden Bridge who kept our fluid levels up (this is starting to sound like an Oscar acceptance speech!); to the Olive Branch and Theo's for their superb cuisine and to Bary Heeley for his assistance in instructing a thoroughly nice group of people.
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