Trug Making Course

£140 
10:00 - 17:00
Tutor: Dominic Parrette
Hot drinks included

I found Dominic to be a patient and experienced craftsman who really seemed to enjoy sharing his knowledge with others.


​ABOUT THE COURSE

This course will cover the construction of a traditional trug made from sweet chestnut and white willow. Learn from a professional trugmaker how to cleave, shave, steam-bend and soak the wood and make your own garden trug.

Students will make a no. 6 garden trug. Starting with a coppiced sweet chestnut pole, students will cleave, shave and steam-bend the handle and rim of the basket. The boards are then shaped and shaved from white willow before being soaked and nailed into place. White willow feet are then added to the basket.

THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU

  • knowledge of how to cleave and shave green wood using traditional tools and techniques including a drawknife and shave horse
  • experience of how to steam bend wood
  • experience of how to use jigs to form the handle and rim of this unique frame basket

THIS COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR

A range of abilities encompassing all levels of expertise, including beginners.​

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR

  • Stout footwear and outdoor clothing. This course will take place outdoors in our Woodland Classroom.
  • Packed lunch or lunch is available from the Beech Cafe

ABOUT THE TUTOR

Dominic has been basketmaking for nearly twenty years and making trugs for over ten, initially working alongside Pete Marden at the Truggery. His basketry is predominantly frame baskets often incorporating split or cleft wood elements. The Sussex Trug is one of the local traditional frame baskets in East Sussex. His work is inspired by the Sussex landscape and incorporates locally harvested materials wherever possible.
www.sussexwillow.co.uk

Check Out Accommodation 

You can get ​20% discount on accommodation when you stay with us during your course. Use the discount code: stay-with-us