Jo Dainty is a forest school practitioner and she crammed an incredible amount into the two hours on the Ysgol Llanarth school field, in a very entertaining and high-octane workshop.
First of all, she set up a big circle with carpet mats for all the students, and had them sit down around the fire bowl. This is such a good tip, as it was a damp April day in a damp field. Jo had brought some lengths of willow with her, and there was a large patch of willow (Grey Willow, Salix atrocinerea?) at the bottom of the field as well.
Student sat on carpet map stripping a big pile of willow sticks.
The students stripped the bark from the willow with blunt table knives, and then chopped them into lengths with secateurs, and then put them into a tin. It was a little bit windy, and Jo started the fire with some cotton wool and vaseline (which binds the cotton wool and stops it blowing away), and then added kindling and firewood. Once the fire was going, the tin was put on the fire for the rest of the workshop – apparently it normally needs at least a couple of hours, and you have to remember to keep the fire going!
A key safety point was that no students were allowed in to the circle without permission.
There was a lot of ingenuity and exploration with the willow, with students making willow stick bundles, a makeshift chair and even willow sandals.
Whilst the charcoal was cooking, Jo set up the bubble mixture and had students use long lengths of willow to make willow hoops to blow the bubbles.
Students making dye
There was also dye making, where students collected different flowers and used a mortar and pestle to create dyes. I missed out on the detail of this process! The dyes were then used to make pictures and collages with the flowers.
Finally, there was tea making. I think there were 3 different flavours: Dandelion flower, Nettle and a minty Ground Ivy & Ribwort Plantain.
Jo with almost finished charcoal
Jo checked the willow charcoal, and it was almost finished, it needs at least a couple of hours to burn all the way through.
Oriel Gallery
The workshop started with a seated circle around the fire bowl. The grass was damp and Jo brought a couple of dozen carpet sample mats. Inspired.
Ysgol Llanilar Workshop 2
Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron Workshop 2
