willow garden structures (obelisks) course – 1 day
| date: | Fri 12th April 2024 Sat 22nd Mar 2025 |
| overview: | A day to make functional, beautiful garden structures. Obelisks, sweet pea frames, mini-hurdles, ‘sunflower’ plant supports… learn some strong, reliable weaves to shape your structures |
| start time: | 9.30am tea/ introductions for 10am start |
| lunch: | approx 1pm – 2pm please bring a packed lunch. Hot drinks will be provided. |
| finish time: | approx 4.30pm |
| cost: | £110 per person (2024) £120 per person (2025) |
| tutor: | John Waller |
| cancellations: | we will provide a full refund if you cancel your place more than 14 days in advance of the course start date. Please note that we will be unable to refund your course fee or transfer you to another course if you cancel your place less than 14 days before the start of the course. |
| what to wear: | wear sturdy shoes or boots at all times. Please also wear warm, comfortable clothes that are suitable for the current weather conditions. You will be outside for most of the course. |
| course size: | maximum of 8 participants |
| what to bring: | all tools and materials will be provided, but please feel free to bring along any interesting tools! |
| how to book: | Booking Form |
| location: | Courses and volunteer days are held at Bore Place, between Edenbridge and Sevenoaks, Kent. Bore Place is an environmental and educational charity on a 500 acre organic dairy farm, set in beautiful low weald countryside. Converted farm buildings and a Jacobean Manor House offer accommodation if required, with walks and local pubs to enjoy when you’re not wooding! Directions will be sent to you once you’ve booked on a course and can also be accessed from the Workshop Directions Page. |
| accommodation: | Depending on availability, there are cottages to rent on site for £185 per night (minimum of 2 nights). It is essential that you contact Bore Place in advance to book accommodation. Please call 01732 463255 or email bookings@boreplace.org. There are also two beautiful yurts and two cosy shepherds huts on site - see Free Range Glamping for more information. |
Submit your review | |
I had an absolutely fantastic day learning both a basic strong weave and making a garden obelisk for climbing plants. John is a great teacher, explaining and demonstrating the techniques clearly. Johns friendly manner set everyone at ease instantly and the atmosphere throughout the whole day was relaxed and supportive.
I suffer with anxiety but not once did I feel uncomfortable, anxious or under pressure at all. Great day and I can not recommend it enough.
I had a wonderful day along with my friend. The weather was freezing cold, but that didn’t matter because everyone was so friendly and we all had a lot of fun. John’s teaching was perfect to enable me to achieve a beautiful garden structure. We even managed to fit two of them in the car without too much difficulty. Thank you.
To be recommended! John's teaching skills and ability to spot the errors and get you back on track ensured we all came away pleased with our creations. Lots of amusement and fun as well as learning lots. A great day indeed.
Thank you John for such a happy and enjoyable day!
Lots of laughter, endless patience and a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement to go home with a huge obelisk and sunflower.... yes we did get both obelisks in my car and didn't have to cut off the fluffy bits!
Thank you, and we will be back!
Had a very enjoyable and informative day, learning how to weave willow into something to be proud of for the garden! Relaxed, helpful teaching and endless patience. Many thanks John.
Despite the bitter weather, it was a great day. Good teaching in a very laid back style and I came home with 2 things for the garden which looked like I meant it! Amongst like minded people in beautiful surroundings. Highly recommended. Thanks John
Thank you Steph - sorry about the weather! It certainly was a bit chilly....
What a wonderful day! The weather was perfect – brilliant sunshine and so warm a hat and sunglasses were needed. Not bad for the end of March! John gave an interesting
introduction to the types of willow and the superiority of English willow to overseas plants.
After that, we made a willow flower to practice some of the techniques that we would be using to make a willow obelisk. Throughout the day, John was clear with his instructions and was patient with those (like myself) who were not so dextrous with their hands or following instructions. He responded quickly to those who got themselves into a pickle.
At the end, through John’s teaching skills, we produced an obelisk and a flower that we are proud of and now we are thinking of other things, we may have a go at producing for the garden.
The small group of 10 was an ideal sized group with a mixture of couples and individuals of varying age. It was certainly a fun day with plenty of light hearted banter throughout which belied the concentration that took place.
A huge thank you to John for a wonderful and memorable day.
Just to say thank you for a brilliant day yesterday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill and taking home a great piece of work to show for it. You have a great way of creating a relaxed and informative atmosphere, I am sure we will be back for more.
Very enjoyable day. Excellent tuition – John has a very relaxed style. Lovely to be able to bring away something that
looks so professional (Ok a bit wonky) after just a few hours. I might even be able to recall the procedures well
enough to create another at home. Very happy I got onto this at the eleventh hour. Thank you!