Yurt making workshop at the Workhouse

In this fun and practical three day course you will learn the basic skills needed to make a full yurt of your own and make your own 'wheel' to take home. The wheel is the central roof support and the part requiring the most construction skills. We will supply full instructions, measurements and specifications to complete the yurt yourself. You will learn how to steam bend, cut and join wood, cut holes with a burning mortiser and how to manufacture all the various components of the yurt.

The course covers the curriculum of the OCN Construction Skills - Joinery skills programme. We intend to offer OCN certification as an option for an additional fee of £18 for administration (tbc).

The course will be taught by one or more of these tutors:

Mark Howlett, carpenter, joiner, wood turner and carver, timber framer, boat builder and musical instrument maker. Mark has lived in a self built yurt for many years and is an experienced craftsman.

Helen Steer - Ex Rinky Dink member, Yurt dweller and experienced low impact and sustainable living practitioner

Andy Dunn - Yurt maker, woodworker and metal worker extraordinaire

Ritchie Stephenson - Carpenter, instrument maker and long time yurt dweller

Venue: Llanfyllin Workhouse (near Welshpool, Powys). The Llanfyllin Workhouse is a new groundbreaking project promoting arts, environment and creativity.The site includes a workshop facility set up for wood working, the course will be based here and in the Workhouse grounds.

Transport: We encourage car sharing and public tranport use. The nearest station is Welshpool, on the line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, we will meet your train by prior arrangement

Accommodation: You are welcome to camp in our field and have access to our fairly basic facilities, or make arrangements from the many local accommodation providers.

Who is the course for? The course is open to anyone over the age of 18. No prior knowledge or skills required other than an a basic aptitude or enthusiasm for working with your hands.

What you are advised to bring:

Warm/waterproof clothing & sturdy outdoor footwear - Very Important!

Sun hat & sun screen

Warm indoor foot ware

Suitable gloves etc

Pens, pencils, notepad & an A4 paper a ring binder

Water bottle

Tent and sleeping bag if you are planning to camp on the Friday/ Saturday nights

Participants are welcome to camp in the Workhouse ground or stay in a local B&B.

Fees: £210; fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts, information sheets and the completed wheel.

Sector39 is Director Steve Jones working in partnership or association with permaculture designers, students, teachers and practitioners from all around the world to deliver courses, projects and sustainable landscape design. Currently based in Llanfyllin Powys and working closely with the LlanfyllinWorkhouse.org project, Steve also has a long association with CAT in Machynlleth as well as the Permaculture Association and the Roof Garden project at RISC and Dave Richards of Eco-Garden.

Sector39 can deliver courses and training in permaculture design and we love to work with school and community groups to build edible forest gardens and productive landscapes. We also run workshops and skill sharing events promoting requisite skills and understanding.