These are some of the exciting new events and activities scheduled for the 2011 Gathering: |
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Pete Christie lives on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and has been performing his melodic and lyrical songs for over 30 years. Audiences enjoy his crafted songs, acoustic fingerstyle playing, 'acoustic, folk, blues, rock, country and back again’ and general great entertainment value.
Pete Christie has been called the 'epitome of modern folk music' 'mesmerising' 'one of the finest pickers of an acoustic guitar around' 'a charismatic guitarist' 'intense and passionate' and 'has crafted a sheer masterpiece of his latest album Frank'. "I quite enjoy being “under the radar” (great expression). I get a massive amount of fun walking on stage for the first time at a new venue knowing that not everyone is aware of what I do. And then watching their reaction!! That’s all part of the fun of touring and being an itinerant balladeer! It’s what keeps me on the road – it always has!” Check out his music on his website:
Pete is one of the few professionals on the English scene whose repertoire consists almost entirely of traditional English songs and ballads. The bulk of his material comes from the south of the country, as he does, and includes a number of songs from his native Kent although he has spent most of his adult life in the Midlands. (This choice of material is not for any deep philosophical reason, it’s just what he feels at home with.) He likes to include a few short stories in his set too. |
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New for 2011 we are creating a Den Building area off the main arena into the woodland where all children are welcome to come and build their dens using a variety of materials that the Gathering will supply. This area will be monitored by the Gathering Staff to ensure the safety and well-being of your children. Den building helps children to expand their knowledge of the natural environment and promotes social interaction, team-building skills, imaginative play and reinforces their sense of self. .......so bring your young Bushcrafters for loads of great woodland fun and play. |
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Prepare to have your Bushcraft skills tested to the limit, for the 2011 Woodcraft School is once again hosting the National Bow Drill Competition. Remember you will need to bring your own kits but you will be provided with the tinder. So how quick are you at bringing an ember to fire, last years winner - Paul Grant - did it in 1 minutes and 10.38 seconds. An impressive target for you all to aim for. The winner will receive a shield. PLEASE REMEMBER THE BOWDRILL HAPPENS ON FRIDAY ONLY AT THE WOODCRAFT SCHOOL STAND IN THE MAIN FIELD |
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As part of our continuing committment to creating a greener and more eco-friendly event, we are re-introducing Recycling of all materials for the duration of the Gathering. We'd appreciate your assistance with this and ask that you place your waste in the appropriate containers which you'll find at various collection points over the site. You'll find further evidence of the eco-organic theme we're adopting throughout the site including wooden signage, canvas and natural materials used for traders and demonstrators stands where possible. We also encourage you to adopt one of the unwritten codes of Bushcraft - Leave it as you'd wish to find it - in other words leave your camping area as if you'd never been there, this includes any trace of fires. |
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We consider the Gathering to be the event where you get interactive, each year we look to make your experience more hands-on so you can develop an understanding of what bushcraft and outdoor living skills are all about. 2011 will be no exception as we strive to move bushcraft out of the classroom and into the natural environment that surrounds the site........so, for example, if your workshop is about wild food then expect to get out into the woodlands and hedgerows, if its water purification then we'll meet you down by the lake or maybe its shelter building you'll find your classroom in the middle of the woods now.........and where possible you'll get to have a go to! |
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At previous Gatherings we have hosted the Extreme Baking competition which acknowledges your Baking Skills and last year Woodcraft School added the Bowdrill competition, this year we intend to develop this and will be giving awards for other Bushcraft and Outdoor Living Skills. Acknowledgment not only for the adults but also for the young up and coming Bushcrafters under the banner of the Coyote Kids Club which will agin be organised by Ian Cresswell of Lonescout Bushcraft Further details of which skills we'll be awarding will be posted in due course, so get out there and start practising and honing those skills |
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