ONE-DAY BEGINNERS CLASS

 A one day class in the basic skills involved in making your own sticks. No experience needed but minimum age is 18 (because of insurance limitations). Most of the people who come have never made a stick before - like those pictured below - but everyone goes home with a complete stick they have made! Anyone with a bit of stickmaking knowledge who would like to improve and learn some new tricks is also welcome.

Everyone who attends learns how to straighten a stick, make a "proper" traditional peg joint to fix the handle to the shank and use simple tools to work the handle and shank to a finished stage. No power tools are used by students - all sawing and drilling is done before the class. There is a choice of seven or eight different handle types in wood and antler to be had - many people come back more than once to make different sticks.

Classes start at 9.00am and finish around 4.30 to 5pm.
Maximum of Three people only in each class.

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ONE-DAY HORN CLASS (Experienced stickmakers only - not for beginners!)

One day class in the use of Black Buffalo Horn to make a crook or market stick handle.
You will heat, bend and rasp the handle into shape. You will take THE HANDLE home with you to finish in your own time! Some experience of making sticks is essential for these classes as you will need your own tools etc. to finish the stick on your own at home.

If we have time I will show you some ways of working Ramshorn as well - including flattening and bulking with my presses. You are welcome to bring along your own horn if you wish! If you ONLY want to use Ramshorn and not Buffalo horn then bring your own and we'll see what we can make with it in the time we have available - ramshorns are so variable that there are no guarantees of success and I often don't have any in stock!

Classes start at 9.00am and finish around 4.30 to 5pm.
Maximum of Three people only in each class.

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If you require accommodation for a stay in Helmsley there are several hotels, guest houses etc in and around the town. Within Helmsley itself I can recommend The Carlton Lodge and Stilworth House B+B or if you prefer a traditional pub/hotel why not try The Feathers Hotel. If you would prefer traditional Farmhouse B&B you might like to try Carr House Farm just a few miles away near Ampleforth. I have negotiated a discount of around 10% for all my class students with these establishments so please be sure to inform them that you are attending a class and ask for the discount. If you require any advice on other places please look HERE or e mail me.

Classes are only run in the autumn and winter - there are NO SUMMER CLASSES!

STICK MAKING CLASS

ONLINE BOOKING

Buy your friend or loved one a place on our stick-making class - or simply treat yourself! A class makes a wonderful surprise present. If you require a class gift card posting please ask for one.

You may e mail to check available dates before you book or select the one you prefer and I will confirm it with you. If you are unable to book online then email me and I'll post you a booking form.

IMPORTANT
FULL PAYMENT OF £105 (Inc VAT) IS REQUIRED BEFORE A BOOKING CAN BE CONFIRMED AND NO REFUND IS GIVEN IF YOU FAIL TO TURN UP!
We have had to introduce this because the "deposit only" system was abused several times and we ended up with empty places and people who could have filled them if we had known!

If you have to change the date of a class after we have confirmed it with you it may be possible - but only if we can allocate the place to someone else. We can't afford to have empty spaces!

If you prefer to buy Gift Vouchers for a friend to spend for themselves then click the link.

Choose the Beginners class or the (advanced) horn class below, then type your preferred date in the blank box (if your date is not available another will be confirmed with you before the booking is taken - please check your e mails in the next few days!).

If you do not select a date we will book you in on the first available one - it may not be possible to alter this once the booking has been made!

FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE WORKSHOP and our private car park click HERE

Dates for 2010/11

(Places available as of 20th July 2010)

Correct as of 1pm - 14th Decemberdates occasionally become available again if people One-day Beginners/improvers classes,

October
Sunday 3rd FULL
(0 place available)

Saturday 16th
(1 place available)

November
Saturday 13th FULL
(0 places available)

December
NO CLASSES

January 2011
Saturday 8th
(3 places available)

Saturday 22nd
(3 places available)

February
Wednesday 2nd
(3 places available)

March
Wednesday 2nd
(3 places available)

Wednesday 16th
(3 places available)

One-day Horn Classes using Buffalo Horn will be held on:

October 2010
Sat 30th FULL
(0 places available)

November 2010
Sun 28th
(3 places available)

February 2011
Wed 16th
(3 places available) 

I thought I would share with you this email I received from one of my "students" following his attendance at a beginners class:

"Keith,

When I arrived home last night I was greeted by 3 little people enthusiastic to see my 'efforts' and a wife who was thrilled with the end product.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would thank you for your patience, sharing of knowledge and opportunity to learn a lovely skill which I hope to improve in time. It was one of the most thoughtful presents I have ever had and I found the day to be very theraputic indeed (perhaps slightly different from your perspective!!).

I now have the confidence and desire to learn and do more. There will be use of the website in time I hope for placing orders.

Great to have a laugh over LJS etc.

Thank you for a fabulous day and for your kind hospitality.

All the Best

Chris."

(LJS is a reference to the secondary school which we discovered we both attended, though at different times!)

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