OBee CIC is a social enterprise established in 2007 to oversee the renovation of a traditional building - Orchard Barn. In the last 4 years we have run practical courses in Timber Frame Repairs, Cob Building and How to Reconstruct an Authentic 17th Century Roof on this live restoration project. We have also run an active Volunteer Programme and annual events such as Tree to Timber, Rediscovering the Vernacular and Creating a Greener Home. We have run these events in partnership with Anglian Woodland Project, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk Branch of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and Suffolk County Council's Green Building Network. In 2010, we hosted Suffolk Historic Building Group's Day School. Later in 2010, the local Environment Agency chose to come and help with our new roof project for their annual 'Help the Environment' day.
Contact Sarah Partridge
Email [email protected]
Website WWW.orchardbarn.org.uk
Vist the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/OrchardBarnorg
Contact Sarah Partridge
Email [email protected]
Website WWW.orchardbarn.org.uk
Vist the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/OrchardBarnorg
Fullness .....
We've just whizzed past the longest day and the theme at Orchard Barn is one of fullness and culmination. Last Friday the newly made barn doors were hung and opened for the first time. http://www.armourengineeringltd.co.uk/ came to our rescue by making some last minute pintels to fit the old hinges that www.ironoakforge.co.uk had reconditioned for us.
Door hung by Ceri, Rick and Conrad. Doors made by Tom, Jon, Conrad, Ceri and Rick. Fab and patient instruction from Rick. Boards milled by D. Davison of Pakenham from an Ash tree from Suffolk Wildlife Trust woods at Bradfield St George. In the foreground some wonderful paving to ensure we meet Building Reg standards for accessible pathways (more about this in another email
We've just whizzed past the longest day and the theme at Orchard Barn is one of fullness and culmination. Last Friday the newly made barn doors were hung and opened for the first time. http://www.armourengineeringltd.co.uk/ came to our rescue by making some last minute pintels to fit the old hinges that www.ironoakforge.co.uk had reconditioned for us.
Door hung by Ceri, Rick and Conrad. Doors made by Tom, Jon, Conrad, Ceri and Rick. Fab and patient instruction from Rick. Boards milled by D. Davison of Pakenham from an Ash tree from Suffolk Wildlife Trust woods at Bradfield St George. In the foreground some wonderful paving to ensure we meet Building Reg standards for accessible pathways (more about this in another email
Last week Malcolm, Rhen, Adam, Conrad, Ceri and Jon constructed a roundwood roof from home-grown Elm poles. This was also under the expert eye of Rick Lewis of www.traditionaloakcarpentry.co.uk
Our next course with Rick is Traditional Carpentry Summer School at the end of August. It will be a practical combination of Timber Framing, door making/hanging and possibly some hewing. If you know anyone who would be interested - please let them know. We can do discounts for group bookings! http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/Traditional_carpentry_summer_school.htm
Our next course with Rick is Traditional Carpentry Summer School at the end of August. It will be a practical combination of Timber Framing, door making/hanging and possibly some hewing. If you know anyone who would be interested - please let them know. We can do discounts for group bookings! http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/Traditional_carpentry_summer_school.htm
Great progress was also made by students on the Introduction to Lime Mortar and Flint Walling course. Rachael, Stuart, John, Christopher, Steven, Rodney and Colin learnt how to build stem walls under the guidance of Rory Sumerling who also demystified the art of working with LIme.
My biggest learning this month has been how to operate a video camera - here are a couple of short clips that I've managed to upload to Youtube, more to come soon once I've worked out how to edit them properly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJQUoyifLw&feature=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwFic4_lb-U&feature=plcp
My biggest learning this month has been how to operate a video camera - here are a couple of short clips that I've managed to upload to Youtube, more to come soon once I've worked out how to edit them properly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJQUoyifLw&feature=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwFic4_lb-U&feature=plcp
COURSES A COUPLE OF PLACES LEFT - Becky Westover will be teaching the Make your own Greenwood Hurdle/Gate course on the 13th and 14th of July - see photo below for what you could come and make and take home. More details on http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/Greenwood_gate_hurdle_course.htm We can offer you a very special price of £90 per person for this one if you book with a friend and pay before the end of June.
PERMACULTURE We are planning a 5-day Permaculture Practice course 17-20 September, so if you'd like to come and learn some practical permaculture skills by carrying out land-based projects, just let us know. If you would like to join our Permaculture Planning group and meet regularly to help develop the site along Permaculture principles, you would be very welcome. Just drop me an email and I'll let you know the date of our next gathering. EVENTS PLACES STILL AVAILABLE If you would like to explore the Biodiversity of Old Orchards there is a FREE workshop with OPAL on Thursday 26th July between 10-1 starting at Ringshall VILLAGE HALL then the old orchard at Orchard Barn. You will get to look at mosses and lichens and use a basic hand lens and microscope to identify varieties found in the orchard. What treasures will we find?