Learn to use different traditional woodworking skills to create a sheep hurdle.

As part of the Lavender Festival at FARMERS’ Lavender we will offering our popular Hurdle making workshop.

Riven ash gate hurdles were traditionally used for folding sheep and pigs. Learn how to use a shave horse, handling a billhook and draw knife to de-bark, riven and cleave timber and construct the gates from prepared timber.

Your ticket will grant you free access to the rest of the Lavender Farm and Festival! They are celebrating their 21st year of growing lavender by holding the very first Lavender Festival. You can sign up to tours of the farm and distillery demonstrations. You are welcome to enjoy a swim in the wild swimming pond, hot & cold drinks & cake in the cafe, or bring your own picnic to enjoy on the farm and take in the spectacular views.

You will learn:

• Gain an introduction to ash timber products
• Discover the billhook, an essential tool of a coppice craftsperson
• Learn how to sharpen your green woodworking tools
• Use the draw knife and shaving horse
• Learn to cleave the wood into beautiful and sturdy product
• Assemble a riven ash gate hurdle and finish

Who is this for?

This workshop is for people who are interested in sustainable woodland management and would like to know how to make useful products from coppiced and other woodland material.

Age limit – Minimum age – 8 years. This course can be adapted by our tutor for children aged 8+ but parental supervision and control is paramount. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

This course is rated as 3 (least accessible) on our scale of accessibility (See our accessibility policy here)

Course instructor

Jed Needs is the tutor on our FE course Coppicing and Greenwood Trades at Black Mountains College. He is also chair of the Talgarth Community Woodland Group and a director of The Green Valleys CIC. Jed has a wealth of experience in Allotment Management, Woodland Management and Community Engagement.

Key Information

Date: Wednesday 7th August

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Location: FARMERS’ Welsh Lavender, Cefnperfedd Uchaf, Maesmynis, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3HU

What should you bring? Wear suitable, weather-dependent clothing including gloves and boots.

We operate on a ‘pay what you can’ structure, and offer tickets at different prices.