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A real crowd-puller was Matt Oliver from Stoatwood Bushcraft, (Pembrokeshire’s answer to Ray Mears!!) who set up a bush camp for the weekend. He gave classes on making rope from nettles, fire by friction, fish trap weaving and camp craft and cookery.
We have lots more of his skills planned for next year!!
Coppicewood College set up a large working area demonstrating rural crafts with materials from their woodland near Cilgerran. Their traditional skills were inspiring and they gathered a large group of enthusiastic onlookers throughout the weekend. They are always keen to encourage visitors to their woodland
Visitors were also able to try their hand at weaving and spinning and see how to colour materials with dyes from plants. Willow weaving was also a new skill for people to try. Helen Campbell, who holds basket-making courses locally, was encouraging everyone to help her make a life-size surfer, complete with surf board. At the end of the festival it looked magnificent, and has been found a permanent home in St. Davids!!
A Really Wild Quiz was held over the weekend and 11 people got all the questions correct. The two winning entries (from Devon and Pembrokeshire) were drawn out of the hat, (or box in our case!) and received a copy of Edible Wild Plants & Herbs by Pamela Michael donated by Grub Street Publishing |
Here are just four of the questions
- What are Irish Dabblers, Hairy Marys, Okey Dokey, Buzzers and Red Hoppers?
- What bulb keeps the Devil away (and your friends!)?
- What plant was used by the Ancient Britons to colour their skin blue?
- What are elvers?
(Answers further down the page!)
Carreg Las, a Morris Dancing group from the local area, added a huge amount of colour, energy and musical entertainment on the Sunday.
We were pleased to welcome more environmental groups this year. This is a very important part of the festival, enabling visitors to find out, join up or join in with those that share a common interest.
Last, but definitely not least, there were marquees full of food and craft exhibitors, from walking sticks to cider, nettle cheese to slate engraving and game pie to soap!!
(Answers: - 1. Fly fishing flies, 2. Garlic. 3. Woad. 4. Baby eels) |
