BLACKSMITHING

February 25 – 27,    March 4 – 6,   November 11 – 13 2005

This popular course will be run on the above three weekends by expert Blacksmith, Roger White.

 

The course should give people the confidence to set up their own small forge to make and repair simple tools, using low cost equipment and recycled materials where possible.

 

Roger has been running this course at CAT for over 20 years.

It is suitable for beginners.

Friday February 25, March 4, November 11 2005

 

1600            Arrival. Please ask at reception or in the Restaurant for directions to your room

 

1800        Supper in the Restaurant

 

1900        Introduction to the Course and the Centre

 

Saturday February 26, March 5, November 12

 

0830        Breakfast in Restaurant

 

0930        Fuel Safety. Lighting up. Drawing down, controlled bending, fullering, flatting in mild steel ( Continued after coffee)

 

1100        Coffee

 

1300        Lunch

 

1400        Change to carbon steel. Stock preparation. Forging a chisel. Hardening and tempering.

 

1600        Tea

 

1630        Continuation of above

 

1800        Supper

 

Sunday February 27, March 6, November 13

 

0830        Breakfast

 

0930        Upsetting, punching, shearing, case hardening. Introduction to a fire weld. Questions and project awareness.

 

1100        Coffee

 

1130        Continuation of above

 

1300      Lunch

 

1400        Fires available until 16.00          N.B. Whilst details of shoeing may be raised, this is not a farriery course.

COURSE TUTORS

Roger White Roger is an expert Blacksmith and Engineer who has worked at CAT for many years. He is now based in Scotland where he is working on electricity generation from sawdust. He was a lecturer for VSO and as well as running courses at CAT he also helps maintain our water balanced cliff railway.

 

COURSE FEES

£295 – High waged                              £210– Waged                       £150 -  Non waged              

(10% discount if booked together with either the November Hydro Electric Systems of Foundry courses)

As a Charity we have to charge a realistic rate for our courses, but we do not want to exclude people because of cost. We have therefore designed a tiered price structure. Please assess yourself as to which rate to pay and indicate on the booking form when you send your deposit. If we do not have this information you will be automatically be invoiced for the high waged rate

 

TO RESERVE A PLACE

·          Send a £50 non returnable deposit (cheque made payable to CAT Charity Ltd) to the Course Co-ordinator, CAT, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ

·          Ring with your credit card details 01654 70 5981

·          Book online on the courses section of our website www.cat.org.uk

 

The course fee covers full board accommodation at CAT, tuition and course materials. Food is vegetarian.

We are usually able to cater for health related special diets with advanced warning. We have a ‘no smoking’ policy in buildings.

There are a small number of single rooms available at an extra cost of £10 per night. Please indicate when you book if you would like a single room.

 

PAYMENT OF BALANCE

The balance of the course fee is due 4 weeks before the course. Approximately 6 weeks before the course you will receive an information pack and an invoice for the balance. If the balance is not paid when due, we reserve the right to offer the space to another.

 

CANCELLATION FEES

We regret that except in cases of illness supported by a doctor’s note, we will make the following cancellation charges.

·          More than 6 weeks before the course – half the fee is forfeit

·          Less than 4 weeks before the course the full fee is forfeit

CAT reserves the right to cancel any courses. Should this be necessary, deposits and fees will be returned in full. CAT also reserves the right to modify the published programme.

 

JOSH BROWN BURSARY FUND

We have a Bursary Fund for people from ‘less developed’ countries. Details are available on our web site.

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

If there are practical workshop sessions on the course, you will be required to provide steel toe capped boots or shoes and overalls. The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment is obligatory. Boots can be bought from www.screwfix.com 0500 414141 or Arrow County 01743 860959. Prices range from £13 upward. CAT will provide other PPE.

 

ACCOMMODATION FOR NON PARTICIPANTS

Depending on course numbers it is sometimes possible to accommodate friends / family. The cost for a non-participant is £32 per day. Please contact the Course Co-ordinator about availability. We are unable to offer crèche facilities.

 

DIRECTIONS

CAT is 3 miles north of Machynlleth on the A487 and is clearly sign posted. To arrive by train you need to come via Shrewsbury to Machynlleth. You can walk to CAT from the station (about 45 minutes) or take a taxi. A single journey costs about £4-50. There are infrequent buses. CAT is registered on www.liftshare.com as a public group. If you require or can offer a lift, please check the website.

 

WHAT TO BRING

 We provide bedding but you will need to bring a towel. A torch is useful for moving between buildings at night. It is also advisable to bring wet weather gear and strong footwear as we are based in an old slate quarry.

 

COURSE OFFICE (courses@cat.org.uk) 01654 705981

Joan Randle Course Director (joan.randle@cat.org.uk)

Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ (www.cat.org.uk)