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This is a great opportunity with 5 separate programmes (participants can sign up to three out of the following):

Wind Workshop
with Neil Stoddart

A whirlwind introductory day into the Renewable energy technology of Wind Turbines.

You will learn about:

• siting
• how the machines work
• how to design a system

Things we will do:

• Build parts of a wind turbine
• put up a wind turbine  

About Neil
Neil has run DIY wind turbine building courses many in conjunction with Hugh Piggott, UK's leading small wind expert. Neil has experience of a wide range of renewable technologies and runs a small company in Fife.

Low Impact Living
with Rob Brodie and Anna Kinross

The low impact living course will cover practical skills and techniques in fossil fuel-free cooking, herbal medicine and low energy living. It will have a strong DIY emphasis and aims to inspire and empower so that people will leave with renewed vigour and the confidence to continue experimenting themselves<

About Anna and Rob
Anna and Rob both have a wide range of green living skills gained from work and travel throughout the U.K. living on croft's, smallholdings, farms and city homes. They are both experienced growers and permaculturists and are experimentalists in the art of fossil free living. Anna is an artist, teacher and medicinal herb grower. Rob is an experienced gardener, shelter builder, recycler and fire keeper.

Introduction to Beekeeping
with Janice Furness and Enid Brown

About Janice
Formerly a teacher of German and French, Janice Furness has been a beekeeper in and around Boarhills, Fife, for over 20 years, and since retiring from teaching in 2003 has been secretary of Fife Beekeepers' Association. At present she has about 10 colonies, three of which are at Pillars of Hercules and will be used - weather permitting - for part of each day's course.

About Enid
A retired policewoman whose father and grandfather kept bees; she has been a beekeeper now similarly for about 20 years, and is President of FBA, and Vice-President of DWFBA. She is also much involved with the SBA.

Living with Plants
with Elspeth Killin

The workshop will involve exploring herbs in their various habitats around the Centre, advice on developing a herb and wildflower garden at home, and collecting - where appropriate.  We will make a variety of simple and effective home remedies, and discuss the ingredients, their properties and their uses.

About Elspeth
M.A., B. Sc (Hons), ITEC (Arom), Member National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Elspeth's work combines together a deep love of all things green,; her training as a Medical Herbalist; over twenty years' experience in training and education and a love of stories and folklore.  She works with all ages and abilities to help people learn and grow with their plants.

Baskets from Found Materials
with Liz Balfour

Platters and frame baskets.  Make a useful and beautiful basket with simple techniques and tools.  We will look round the local countryside first to find materials we can use in combination with prepared willow.

About Liz
I have been making and teaching for 20 years now.  I am particularly interested in traditional basket making and have made a number of replica baskets learning a new respect for the craftsmen of the past.

Arts Programme for Children and Young People
With Jodie, Mona Keeling, Kate Robinson and Alan Bryden

Over the 3 days we would like to invite 5-16 yr olds to take part in a variety of workshops involving Drama, Art and Music Making.  On each day there will be opportunities to make friends, share stories and escape in to the green unknown. We will be doing a wide range of activities, from finding materials and making sculptures to creating an instrument and using your imagination. On the last day we will share some of our ideas to families and friends.
We hope you can join us to explore.

How to book

To book visit http://www.bigtentfestival.co.uk/summer-school.htm