Join us for a productive five days of building a traditional Norwegian timber frame structure.

During the course we will aim to cover:

The Grindbygg is an ancient Norwegian post and beam structure, that is able to utilise a wide range of materials including natural bends in the timber, therefore creating beautiful structures that bed in to the land and natural environment.

We will use hand tools and unique timber framing techniques to create slots, laps and notches including the sexy necked tying joint which is indicative of this structure, and build your knowledge and experience in timber framing craftmanship.

The Grindbygg is relative quick to construct compared to other timber framing structures allowing you to learn quickly and be hands on and involved in every part of the build. You’ll learn the entire process of scribing and cutting joinery and working with chisels, axes and wooden mallets. No experience is required but by the end of the course you’ll have the knowledge and expertise so that you can go and apply what you have learnt to any number of projects: a new porch, an outdoor workshop, an outdoor kitchen, a stables, a new home!

It was a popular structure on the windswept South West coasts of Norway for thousands of years and it’s recently seeing a revival in popularity especially amongst those that look to preserve ancient skills and work more in harmony with the materials. It makes sense then that our build is taking place in the coastal South West (in Cornwall, UK) and led by a Norwegian, Richard Andersen, who is a passionate and skilled craftsman bringing these skills back and making them accessible for people no matter their experience.

At the end of a hard days work, you can relax in one of our hammocks in the woods or there is plenty to explore nearby including the Cornish South coast (Looe beach is just four miles away), the sea to wash away your aches, a prehistoric stone circle a mile away or the nearby Bodmin moor.

All meals are included and there is plenty of room to pitch a tent in the beautiful bluebell wildlife woodland, or share space sleeping in a large tipi. Hot, wood fired open air showers are available each evening and a campfire to sit around to share stories.

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in our small private woodland, near to the beaches and harbour of Looe, in Cornwall in a large shared tipi or camping in your own tent, or if you’re feeling adventurous then borrow one of our hammocks and tarps.

We share the woodland with its wild inhabitants including deer, fox, badgers and Tawny owls. The bluebells are at their best in May along with the heady smell of wild garlic.

You will need to bring a roll mat/or camp bed and bedding. A full list of what to bring will be sent out after booking.

You will receive three meals a day throughout the duration cooked over the camp fire. Special diets can be accommodated.

There will be an opportunity to shower in our hot, wood fired open air showers and we use composting toilets.

If you prefer not to camp, then it is possible to bring your own campervan or I can suggest nearby B&B accommodation at your own cost.

Physical Requirements

Our courses are situated on a sloped woodland. They are open to anyone who can walk over uneven ground and up a short woodland slope. This particular course is very physical and will require some manual lifting.

It is open to any gender and from aged 18 upwards.

If you have any specific medical concerns or additional needs then please inform us prior to booking. Please also bring along any necessary medication you may need.

Other Information

Pre requisites: Appropriate PPE – steel toe capped shoes and gardening gloves

Tools: All tools are provided but bring your own if you have them, for e.g. chisels, gouge, saw, spirit level, pencil, measuring tape, hewing axe/ broad axe.

Clothing: Wear weather dependent clothing that you don’t mind getting mucky. A full list of what to bring will be sent out after confirmation of your booking.

Travel: Pick up from the nearby train station (Sandplace Station) can be arranged. Directions will be given after booking.

IMPORTANT: There are a limited number of places on this workshop. If the minimum number of places are not sold then unfortunately this workshop will be postponed and your payment refunded. Please do not book any transport or alternative accommodation until we have confirmed the course is running. We will do this when asking for the balance of the payment to be made.

Itinerary

Arrival after 6pm Wednesday 8th May 2024. The course will begin on Thursday 9th May but if you prefer to arrive and settle in the night before, you are most welcome. The first night will be spent around the camp fire getting to know your fellow group participants.

Thursday 9th May – Monday 13th May

Meal times will be decided amongst the group but we will aim to start early and get as much hands on working time as possible so that you can gain the practical experience in;

initial log selection and preparation, scribing and cutting notches, safe and effective axe techniques, and safety considerations. During this course you will get hands on working with an axe (Norwegian bile) and chisel to create the distinctive notches in roundwood timber. The course will focus on the use of traditional hand tools but Richard will also demonstrate the use of chainsaws.

At the end of a hard days work, you can relax in one of our hammocks in the woods or there is plenty to explore nearby including the Cornish South coast (Looe beach is just four miles away), a stone circle a mile away or the nearby Bodmin moor.

Departure after 5pm Monday 13th May. If you have a long drive, then you are welcome to stay on and leave the following morning. Equally, if you want to stay on and gain further practical experience in notching logs then you are welcome to, as a small group of volunteers will continue to work on various builds over the next couple of weeks. Please message me for further information.