Through ASCape, myself and our 12 year old son were able to attend the two day introduction to woodworking workshop, run by the group Local Matters at Bridport Community Shed. He had the chance to make a Memory Box from locally sourced wood. When we arrived for the session we were asked to bring something to go inside the box, he chose an old penny coin from 1874, which was given to him by a late family member. Georgina and Jack ran the sessions, they were knowledgeable of the different materials used and helped teach us how to use the tools, and even let the group have a settling in time to practice before starting on the task. Our son managed to run two projects at once, making the box, as well as a tractor and trailer from the practice wood available. He was able to experiment with different ways to make wheels. The setting was relaxed, and while we attended, we were with 2 other families which meant less distraction for our boy. He enjoyed using the Japanese saws as well as the drill, and using the pyrography pen to inscribe on the box. I was intrigued to learn how to use no screws or nails for making the box, but instead using dowelling. The setting was lovely and fresh being outside (with shelter) in the spring air.
To follow up from our weekend of woodwork workshops, we joined the other families who had attended the other two weekend sessions, at Hooke Park (near Beaminster) for a celebration afternoon in the forest. For anyone who has never been before, it’s a must. As you drive down the wooded drive, you are greeted with the most amazing shaped buildings created by the trainee architects over the years, as well as a lighthouse. This was where some of the wood came from for the memory boxes, so it was nice to be able to talk about the memory that wood holds in its journey from tree to object. Most children brought their memory boxes to share what they’d made with the others. We then set off, firstly to explore a large whale bellied building which is the main site workshop, then to see an old car robot in use. We then went on a walk through the forest with Martin, a local story teller; this was so fluid, with children and adults pausing to listen (and engage) every now and then. The weather was just perfect, to allow the children to go over old bridges, crawl in mini buildings and see forestry machinery. Towards the end of the walk we approached the field shelter, with an open fire for toasting hot cross buns, as well as a swing in a tree, and some music from Martin on his ukulele. It was lovely to come together to eat, drink and relax on the decking of the shelter, to bring the sessions to a close. I would definitely do something like this again, as the environments were perfect for us both, as were all the people involved in helping make it happen. Our son was proud of what he had achieved and was keen to show other family members, which was great to see.
