Courses at Steward Wood
We don't currently have a system for online booking so if you are interested in any of the courses below please contact us.
7th August 2010 - Permaculture Design Course
Live and learn with us for two weeks at this summer's Full Permaculture Design Course. It is led by Aranya and former SCW resident Peter Cow. This inspirational course is for anyone who believes that we need to find ways to care for ourselves, for each other and for the Earth. The course is practical, positive, informative and fun.
Run by Aranya and Peter Cow
No. days: 16
Hours per day: 6
Cost: £640
Concessionary fee: £565
28th August 2010 - Low Impact Living
A weekend of living and learning alongside a family at Steward Woodland Community. A holistic, tailer made introduction to a low impact sustainable life style.
Run by Son Parsons and John Elsworthy
No. days: 2
Hours per day: 8
Cost: £200
The course fee is for the family (based on 2 adults, 2 children)
28th August 2010 - Off-Grid Renewable Energy
This two day course is designed as an introduction to practical off-grid living. The course is split into four main areas including the following:
Energy acquisition - This involves the use of solar, micro-hydro, wind turbines and other technologies to acquire the renewable forms of energy around us.
Energy conversion - Some forms of energy acquired will require conversion to be useful to their application. This might be by use of a generator for example.
Energy storage - Ways in which you can store your power for later use
Energy application How best to make efficient use of your power. This will include energy efficiency, inverters for mains appliances and converting appliances to 12v.
By the end of the course you should have enough knowledge to set up a basic 12v off-grid renewable energy system.
This course is suitable for those wishing to live off-grid whether that is for environmental reasons, practical reasons, or preparing for a future where we can not rely on power from the grid. This course is not suitable for those wishing to supplement their grid connection with renewable energy sources unless they are considering running an independent system.
If you are interested please leave your details at the Off the Grid Website.
Run by Merlin Howse
No. days: 2
Hours per day: 6
Cost: £92
Concessionary fee: £50
3rd September 2010 - The Wild Pagan Course - 5 day
This course is now confirmed and will run for five days in September. It will be held in mixed woods on magical Dartmoor: a lush landscape of - if you wish to see them - rocky troll lairs and faery glades.
It is non-denominational, suitable for anyone who derives a spiritual or magical awareness from the world around us and all course participants will be invited to contribute their energy during ritual.
It is a practical course suitable for those who wish to experience outdoor living to deepen their understanding of the natural cycles that influence our lives and spirituality. Learning will be informal and experiential.
Connecting more deeply with lives other than our own enhances self-reliance. It contributes to clear communication on material and ethereal levels. It enables an energetic awareness of the food we eat; the air we breathe; the water we quench our thirst with.
The course syllabus will include:
* Making fire: taking part in tree felling; appreciation of the full cycle of taking a tree and processing the timber by hand; making fire by friction; completing the cycle by planting a tree.
* Gathering and preparing plant food: learning to recognise edible wild plants, harvesting plants for dinner, preparing food as a group and appreciating the plants that have contributed.
* Skinning and butchering an animal: this will be an optional session for those who wish to connect more deeply with taking animal life.
* Shelter-building: cutting the materials and working as a group to make a structure.
* Nature awareness: learning to lose yourself in the woods; changing your awareness of the animal lives that surround us. A dusk session listening to bats.
* Picking fruit and beginning the process that will turn it into wine!
* TBC: making a basket with which to gather food.
* The course will end with a celebration.
Course participants will need to bring:
* a headtorch
* sturdy footwear
* weather-appropriate clothing
* a tent, as you will be sleeping in your tent on your first and fourth night.
* sleeping gear
* cutlery, plate and cup
* a sheath knife.
We ask participants to leave behind their laptops! Bring your mobile phones, there will be a place to charge them, but we ask that they are left alone or turned off during the sessions. When booking the course please let us know of food requirements and any allergies or medical conditions.
This course will not be suitable for those with mobility limitations due to steep, rocky terrain.
The price is still to be confirmed and we will publish it as soon as possible.
Run by Seth Kirton
No. days: 5
Hours per day: 7
Cost: £0
1st October 2010 - Introduction to Permaculture Design
Run by Merlin Howse and John Elsworthy
No. days: 2
Hours per day: 7
Cost: £90
9th October 2010 - Low Impact Living
A weekend of living and learning alongside a family at Steward Woodland Community. A holistic, tailer made introduction to a low impact sustainable life style.
Run by Son Parsons and John Elsworthy
No. days: 2
Hours per day: 8
Cost: £200
The course fee is for the family (based on 2 adults, 2 children)
16th October 2010 - Tree Felling using Hand Tools
A one day course suitable for those who have not previously had the experience of felling a large tree by hand, and wish to observe and take part in the process. Topics covered during the day will include
- A safety briefing
- Felling technique
- Implications for wildlife and biodiversity
- Why hand tools?
Morning session: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm, afternoon session: 2 pm - 5 pm. Tea, coffee, and a very simple vegan lunch will be provided.
Run by Owen Kebbell
No. days: 1
Hours per day: 0
Cost: £120
23rd October 2010 - Low Impact Living
A weekend of living and learning alongside a family at Steward Woodland Community. A holistic, tailer made introduction to a low impact sustainable life style.
Run by Son Parsons and John Elsworthy
No. days: 2
Hours per day: 8
Cost: £200
The course fee is for the family (based on 2 adults, 2 children)
7th November 2010 - Fungal Foray
Learning about edible and other fungi, including informative lecture and slideshow
Run by Dr Christian Taylor
No. days: 1
Hours per day: 5
Cost: £20
Runs from 10am-4pm (including 1 hour lunch). Children free.
For other local courses please see those on offer at Moretonhampstead Learning Centre.