From our member Fee:
“Hey all,
i wanted to let you know about a new ‘Urban Bodgers’ meetup i’m starting in Salford (Greater Manchester): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-bodgers-monthly-meetups-tickets-1679667062399
i started retraining in coppicing and green woodworking a few years ago, and have been trying to move out of the city to get closer to doing more of it ever since. but life is not straightforward, and a move isn’t possible… so i’ve decided to switch it up and bring the woods to the city instead 🙂
the venue is Islington Mill, where i’m a resident and setting up a small green woodworking space. the Mill is a heritage listed building converted into an independent queer arts space, and i’m neurodivergent, queer and gender nonconforming, so we’re especially keen to connect with kin and allies.
we’ll be starting with a free monthly meetup (second Sundays, from 11am, starting in October), and plan to also run paid workshops in the future. those sessions can be green woodworking, relief carving, spoons, and any heritage crafts including leather work, baskets… all of it (maybe even charcoal, if we can set up safely!)
i’d love to hear from anyone who’d be interested in bringing their workshops over. i’m going to be applying for funding to help support your costs and to create subsidised places so we can be as inclusive as possible. i’m delighted to say that Andy Westsmith has agreed to be involved, and will be running his fab shrinkpot sessions! in time we’d also LOVE to create partnerships, so that we can bring cityfolk out to the woodlands to experience coppicing – more volunteers for all 😉
feel free to share with anyone you feel might be interested, and hit me up if you want to be included in future workshops!