Category: News

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Making space News

Making Space

Making Space will return for February.


Thursday evenings 19.00 to 21.00

 
This is a club not a led workshop.

Think of it as an excuse to get round to it, especially the things it would be unwise to do on your kitchen table. Bring your own materials and projects. You could also try something new with the donated materials and tools we have accumulated – or turn junk into raw materials ready to be used.

From time to time regulars are willing to share their skills and materials, and so some evenings will have a theme. Information about that, and any costs, will be posted on this site.

We ask for £5 a time to cover overheads,

or you can contribute in kind if you are short of cash, chat with Simon.  

Make a candle holder on the 6th!

Thursdays 19.00 to 21.00Wordsmithcrafts Studio,
3 James Avenue, DG2 9AU
 30th of January
Making Space
6th of February
Simon – Blacksmithing intro
Make a candle lifter/lamp
£15
13thMaking Space
20th NO MAKING SPACE
26th Perhaps with added stories?

If you’d like to support what’s going on in a more regular pattern then you could become a Cluaran member.

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News

Hidden Gem

Here is a hidden gem from the recent past, introducing people to a hidden gem from centuries past.

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News

Merry Christmas

Be courageous, Valiant!

May your faith take you places that challenge your beliefs, and give you the strength to transform with mirth.

Categories
Making Christmas 2024 News

Making Managed

Five volunteers, Wordsmith Crafts props and tools. Add henerous handfulls of members of the public wandering around the town on a saturday. Mix in a Stove Network space for one Saturday then cook.

Be careful not to overheat, and only use the finest volunteer ingredients and you can be sure of an excellent outcome (“Best day ever” – a weegie student).

Thanks to Galloway Longfhada for joining us, hopefully there will be more gigs and recruits on their way!

More photos will follow.

Categories
Events Making Christmas 2024 News

Making Christmas

St Andrews Day

(Nov. the 30th)

Final preparations are underway!

We will be setting up in the Loreburn Centre on Saturday. Come and drop in to say hi and make something!

More info here

https://www.cluaranhaven.org.uk/making-christmas-2024/

Categories
Events News schools storytelling

Autumn travels

In Dumfries and Galloway there are two weeks of school holidays in October. Traditionally this was to free up young people to help howk the tatties from the fields. For Cluaran it meant that we could run a story and crafts session for kids on hokiday at Annan museum. It also meant that we could be joined by Kate for a school visit in Oban, taking time off from being a teacher to volunteer at a school! Perhaps it continues the time of from work to work of the Holidays.

A medieval cross in the celtic style, near Oban
Researching Clan MacDougal at Kilbride

Then it was off even further north to tell stories of St Columba on the shores of Loch Ness with History Matters. Cathbad joined a collection of historical characters in the orchard of castle Urqhuart. We helped visitors catch a glimpse of the past in a stunning setting.

Cathbad standing under a picture of Columba
Fabulis vivere per vera veritate

Perhaps one year we will bring the boat! But until then we will continue to give people the opportunity to find a fragment of the past and hear the story that goes with it.

Hopefully this will act as an appetiser, and they will seek to find a place at the table where the feast is in full swing.

Each fragment holds a story
Categories
boat building News

2nd Nith Skiff meeting

After a successful first meeting those who gathered have decided that it is time Dumfries had it’s own St Ayles Skiff.

The plan is to build the craft in the town centre, where people can see what is going on.

We will be doing it as a community build. This means the project will involve things like using the build as a focus to give people hands on experience using tools. We will also arrange activities and events to involve people who might be interested in rowing and boats in general – and those who have never really thought about it.

We are aiming to get the boat on the water for the Skiffieworlds event in Stranraer July 2025

We have been offered support from Annan and are building a network of builders, rowers and interested supporters. We all went away with tasks to manage and WhatsApp group set up if you would like to keep in touch that way.

The Second meeting will be on the 6th of August, Tuesday evening, in the Dougie arms from 18.30

We will be discussing things like:

  • A place to build it in
  • The overall costs
  • Training and technical advice
  • Communication and keeping people informed
  • Community events

Sign up here!

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News

Dumfries Coastal Rowing

Nithraid 2023 from "The Stove" Facebook Page

Invitatiation

Everyone is invited to the inaugural meeting of the Dumfries Coastal Rowing club!

  • Where: The Dougie, Friars Vennel Dumfries
  • When: 6pm Tuesday the 23rd on June (2024)
  • Why? We are starting a coastal rowing project in the town and want you ideas, interest and involvement!

Here is a quick reminder of when Cluaran got in the water in 2023 at the Nithraid festival for a spot of cattle rustling. The river was also full of Ayles Skiffs.

This is not a Wordsmith Crafts project, but anyone who is familiar with the history of Cluaran will understand why we want to support it and help make it happen!

Some background info which might be useful –

This is the website for more information about coastal rowing clubs. There is a gap waiting to be filled in Dumfries!

Home
https://scottishcoastalrowing.org/
Categories
News

Rope and Boat Launch

This article introduces some of the many finds of nautical interest from Birka

https://www.sea.museum/2016/04/29/maritime-archaeology-at-the-viking-age-site-of-birka

A very interesting length of rope that would have been tied round a stone to anchor ships in place.

and if you are interested in a boat to go with tou anchor – Whithorn Rebuild with Gail McGarva will be launching this one in a few weeks time. Get yourself along to Whithorn!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JGGyVQkqEwoCazpH

If you can’t make it for the Launch on fridag, there is a whole weekend of fun at the Whithorn trust where you will be able to get close to the boats.

Categories
News

Welcome to the new site!

Welcome to our new WordPress site. Historical entries from the Skippers log will be uploaded here – as well as all the new things which are happening.