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The Orchard Barn project is run by an innovative and forward thinking Community Interest Company (CIC) called OBee. They are a unique social enterprise who organise hands-on, low-tech courses, events and a volunteer program in traditional building skills and rural crafts.
The pioneering folk that manage OBee CIC are passionate about showing what can be achieved using locally sourced building materials and traditional skills. They are keen to see a more substantial move towards sustainable low impact buildings within society. Their main focus to date has been the repair of a derelict C17th century barn at Ringshall in mid
In 2009, OBee CIC ran courses in Green Oak Timber Frame Repairs. Their tutor was the first class carpenter Rick Lewis of www.traditionaloakcarpentry.co.uk During 4 one week courses, 17 participants came from nearby villages and as far a field as Dublin. Using hand tools and locally sourced green oak they repaired all 4 bays of the barn from photograph 1 to photograph 2. Many of the trees were milled in the woods where they grew and each tree was an absolute joy to work with! One log made its journey to the barn in the back of a pick-up truck and was hewn into a wall plate see photograph 3 and 4.
Prior to the Green Oak Timber Frame Repair Courses, OBee organised a Tree to Timber day at their local village hall. 120 likeminded people gathered to watch woodwork demonstrations and to listen to the insightful lectures. Perhaps the highlight of the day was the delivery of local oaks by Moonie the shire-horse. Moonie and his owner Jason Roberts work local woods and can be found at www.greenmanhorseloggers.co.uk see photograph 5.
2010 promises to be the most exciting year yet! OBee are organising yet more hands-on courses having been granted Listed Building Consent to reconstruct a C17th style roof on the barn and to clad it with oak-cleft shingles. Rebuild an Authentic C17th Roof and Learn how to make a Shingle-covered roof by hand courses offer unique ways to experience how carpenters in the 1600's worked.
Additionally, the CIC is helping to organise a one-day conference called Rediscovering the Vernacular - the role of traditional skills and materials in the C21st. This green based, society conscious company are carving out a niche for themselves in rural
For more information check out:
OBee Community Interest Company - Building Traditional Skills
Gallery of the Orchard Barn Project
(click on them for a slideshow)
Before repairs
During repairs
Local log
Preparing to hew
Transporting logs
Shingle Making
Traditional carpentry tools
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