Build a Bender Course April 2026
Schedule
Wed, 08 Apr, 2026 at 03:00 pm to Sat, 11 Apr, 2026 at 11:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Ashbank Farm, ST7 3QL | Kidsgrove, EN
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DATE EDIT: due to various reasons we have decided to rearrange this event until spring 2026! Lots of time for you to get it in your diaries and book ahead 😁Come and learn how to construct your own bender with expert Jessica Rost. Jess has lived in many benders over the years, and will be assisted by Noel Cass who has built many benders on protest sites.
- Follow the link to see a video made by one of our participants of our last bender building course in 2023.
A bender tent is a simple shelter made using flexible poles such as those of hazel or willow. These are lodged in the ground, then bent and woven together to form a strong dome-shape. The dome is then covered using tarpaulin. The idea is that the whole lot can be dismantled and moved to another location easily on a simple hand cart.
We’ll be learning where and when to source suitable poles. There’ll be discussions around sustainability and off-grid living and we’ll take you out on a walk to cut and prepare some hazel. We’ll show you how to level the ground and we’ll aim to get the frame/structure built, with window frames in, by day two.
On one of the evenings we will be joined by the excellent Pete Linell from the Grow Your Own Home Project who will be presenting his talk 'Where have all the benders gone?' with time for a Q&Q afterwards. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FeKt2rae8/
At the end of the four days you’ll have helped to build a completed bender with windows, ground sheet, flooring, lining, insulation, and final tarp covering. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to talk about many other considerations too, such as ventilation, wood burners, solar power and more.
COST
£200 per person for the full four day workshop.
The fee includes all refreshments for all 4 days, DIY breakfast provided and 2 delicious shared meals each day.
Meals will be vegan - please let us know dietary requirements on booking.
Accommodation is available in our 17th Century farmhouse for £15 per night.
Park-ups or camping in the orchard also available for £5 per night
To book a place or ask for more info please email [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Ashbank Farm, ST7 3QL, Bank Farm Livery, Mill Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 3LD, United Kingdom, KidsgroveEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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