I've been looking into dry stone walling and hedging apprenticeships
for something to do when I'm financially able. I'd love to learn a traditional skill I could use as a trade too.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 7:47, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

Ooh lovely
My landlord had a go at some drystone walling at his place in Cumbria and he loved it.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 7:49, Reply)

It really floats my boat.
It's skilled, hard work. It's energetic, it's outdoors and it looks so satisfying. I've seen some one- or two-day courses online which I might try later in the year to see if it's something I could do as a trade into old age and if so I can fit it into The Masterplan.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 7:53, Reply)

Mornin all.
Noel, I've done a few weeks of drystone walling, and unless you have an aptitude for it, like naturally seeing where a stone just fits, it is really really difficult. I don't have it, and all my walls look like crap. I still keep trying though.

I can lay hedges, build stiles and bridges, etc, but the dry stone walling defeats me.

Good luck, though, you may have the knack. It will destroy delicate fingers though.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:04, Reply)

Morrnin!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:15, Reply)

I'd like to say I do have a knack for these types of things.
I'm a pretty manual guy, good with my hands etc, always have been. I'd love to do the whole thing, fencing, stiles, hedging and walling. A boundary-master if you will.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:15, Reply)

As I say, good luck.
What style of hedging do you do?
I have taught various types.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:19, Reply)

I don't, at the moment.
It's something I'm looking into for the future. Once I have enough money to gain some of the skills, I may look for an apprenticeship once daughter's finished her exams - I've proven to myself I can survive on less than minimum wage and it really interests me, so it might be three or five years away at the moment.

Taught, eh? You're not so far from me... Fancy earning a little extra in the summer by passing on some skills?
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:23, Reply)

Hedging is a winter pastime, but I'll certainly give you a hand.
Remind me where you are exactly, and I may have a more local contact for you. Gaz me if you wish.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 8:28, Reply)