SWEDSWA Basic Dry Stone Walling Courses 2024
Our basic dry stone walling courses are suitable for both beginners and improvers and are run by qualified DSWA instructors who are also professional wallers. The courses will introduce you to the fundamental structure of a dry stone wall and how to construct the wall by applying this new found knowledge. Over the two days of the course you will take down and rebuild a section of dry-stone wall under the supervision of an instructor. The course is a hands-on experience and will involve a lot of physical activity. You can work at your own pace and there is plenty of opportunity for discussion and demonstration of the techniques involved in building the wall.
SWEDSWA are now offering places on a new Devon ditch/bank course available for the first time this year. We have DSWA qualified, experienced professional wallers who are available to instruct the courses to promote the craft of Devon ditches built in the traditional methods using local stone. See our course dates for more details and an application form.
Places on courses are usually limited to 12 participants per instructor and this ensures that you get some individual attention when necessary. Please note that if there are insufficient numbers on the course, there has to be a minimum of six per course, then the course will not go ahead and other arrangements will be made as necessary.
Each basic course is run over two days from 9:00am – 4:00pm and costs £100 per person.
The course will cover:
Health and safety
Use of tools
Preparing the site
Laying foundations
Building the walls
Availability will be regularly updated on the website, however for a more up to date check on course availability please make contact via e-mail at swedswacourses@gmail.com or via mobile 07736 419685.
Payment
Download the Basic course booking form here:
Confirmation of a place on your chosen basic dry stone walling course can only be upon payment in full of the current course fee of £100 per person. The payment method and bank details are on the booking form.
SWEDSWA course fees are non-refundable. If given sufficient notice we can reschedule the course to later in the year subject to availability.
SWEDSWA Basic Dry Stone Walling Course dates for 2024
23-24th March Nailsea
20-21st April Mendips (Priddy area)
11-12th May Woolacombe North Devon (This is a Devon Banks course)
25-26th May Ham Hill (Yeovil)
8-9th June Marshfield (nr Bath)
13-14th July Nailsea
20-21st July North Devon nr Barnstaple (This is a Devon Banks Course)
14-15th September Mendips (Priddy area)
21-22nd September Marshfield (nr Bath)
Due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 regulations, when booking a place on a training course, candidates must provide an emergency contact name and number.
If you wish to further your walling skills after attending the beginner’s course, we recommend becoming an open member of the DSWA at
www.dswa.org.uk/membership for an annual fee of £45. Once an Open member of the DSWA you may attend all subsequent course dates and members practice days within our region to join current members to practices and improve your skills.
If you wish to pursue the only official internationally recognised and industry standard certified LANTRA Craftsmen Certification Scheme qualifications in dry stone walling or need any further information regarding LANTRA qualifications, financial assistance to obtain the necessary qualifications or bursary schemes, please contact the branch secretary of SWEDSWA or go to https://www.dswa.org.uk/
Gift certificates
Gift certificates are available to those who wish to give their partners/spouses/friends the perfect outdoor experience.
The gift certificate is valid for three years, during which you may choose from any of the available basic courses listed within SWEDSWA. Pay the standard basic course fee of £100 in full and you will get a certificate to present to your loved one to surprise them on whatever occasion it may be!
Once all the contact details are received along with payment in full, the gift certificate will be sent to you in an e-mail attachment to print at your leisure.
Download the gift certificate form Here: