SHED BUILDING SKILLS

WOMEN AND MEN, COMPLETE BEGINNERS WELCOME - OVER 18'S PLEASE

ESCAPE TO THE HILLS? Whether you want to build a forest refuge or convert a van for breaks away, these woodworking skills are some of the most helpful that you could learn. If you have some woodworking experience you'll find it helpful but it's no problem if you are a complete beginner, we'll be going over the basics of cutting accurately and square, and screwing things together with cordless drill/drivers.

HAND TOOLS ONLY We'll be using a range of simple hand tools, saws, measuring equipment, cordless drills and jigsaws. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can achieve without tons of expensive machinery.

SAFETY FIRST Our top priority is working safely, there's a couple of things to be careful of, especially when you're working on a larger project with a group of people.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING AT PERTH COMMUNITY FARM, A LOOK AROUND THE FARM There's lots of different sheds at the farm, so it's a great place to see lots of different designs. You'll see the various problems that crop up with different ways of doing things and also how everything fits into the bigger picture of our environmental/permaculture work at the farm.

WORKING OUT YOUR DESIGN Do please bring along sketches, photos or plans of anything you're hoping to build or convert. (Start with what's fixed and keep it as simple as possible…) Working out where your door and windows will go, space for services etc. We'll have a look at how to make a scale drawing and work from a plan. We'll be working on a building for the farm so you'll have plenty of hands-on practice.

MATERIALS We'll be working mostly with new wood: plywood, OS board and lengths of CLS building timber. Find out about the different specifications and working out your quantities so you know what to ask for when you're ordering stuff from the timber merchants. Some wood can be reclaimed but it's often not worth the extra bother and may not give you as good a result.

BASES FOR SHEDS the pros and cons of using slabs, concrete and posts in the ground. (We're using charred posts for foundations at our sister project, Inverquiech Farm - it's a simple method that's been used successfully for thousands of years - you do need to have somewhere to have a good fire though...)

FLOOR, WALLS AND ROOF We'll be using a frame and sheet construction for these and look at different options for insulation, also different options for cladding and roofing.

DOORS AND WINDOWS - making and fitting doors and windows

PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL We won't be covering plumbing or electrical work on this course but will have a discussion about different heating options.

FOOD AND DRINK ETC

Please bring what you need with you, there's no kitchen facilities at the farm - but there is a basic toilet block.

DIRECTIONS TO PERTH COMMUNITY FARM

Take the track down from Jeanfield Road between houses number 29 and 27, through the gates that lead to the cemetery - small sign says "Commonwealth War Graves".

Then take another track through the first gates on your left, sign to Perth Community Farm.

We'll be based in the big polytunnel right at the far end of that track. You can park right down towards the tunnel, or there's some space just inside the gates.

That's it! see you on the day. Ian

Host or Publisher Ian Watt