There's a great opportunity for you to get closer to life in Kadugli when students from Weymouth College take part in a building project for Grace at the new Dorset Construction & Training Centre for Weymouth College at Poundbury. A traditional Sudanese mud hut will be built with the help of local school pupils. Although Grace Secondary School will be a less traditional construction, the bricks have been made by local people using the same methods.
School parties are invited to spend the day at the centre where they will be able to make bricks and learn more about the Sudan. There will also be a public open day - with a date to be announced shortly.
Alan and Bob working hard to off load the Hazel and Elm for the start of the project.
Bob weighing up the odds of getting this tree to the log pile in one throw? He made it!
Richard stands behind the camera until most of the work is done, is rumbled and must help more on the next trip! Thank you guys.
Hazel and Elm cleared from a local “Restoring Ancient Woodland” project supported by IPP
The boys enjoy a cold beer to celebrate, stage one complete.
Thanks to Alan, Bob, Paul and Mark.
These timbers will make up the main structure of the huts, a central upright and conical roof. The plan is to thatch the roof and infill the walls with the mud bricks (next stage). If you want to help with this stage please get in touch – we would love you to come down and roll your sleeves up with us to help the charity.
Stage 2. - Collecting the Straw.
When they said lets go and collect the straw I didn’t think it was a bale the size of Alan!
This is just a shot for Alan’s wife! Nice lighting.
Team building, one bale, one trailer, 5 grown men what could go wrong?
Saying that he could still move it with one finger. Whilst the rest of us looked on in amazement.
Bob says “follow me” and off we go into the woods. Not sure what the canoes about, but I had my wellies just in case.
Paul digs a hole, perfect sides and a level bottom! Perfect.
To let people know all about those nice people at IPPJOULES we put up a sign.
Stage 2.1 - The Sand Arrives.
Next stage was to find 4 tonnes of sharpe sand to make the bricks from. J.C. Phillips & Son Ltd the Grit, Sand and Gravel merchants from Bridport – helpfully sponsored this. Building materials are now coming together.
David Weston arrives on site to deliver the sand
he truck backs up to the “construction bay” where the mud bricks will be made.
Tipping the 4 tonnes of sand ready for the children.
A proud Mr Weston stands for a quick moment, whilst we say thank you to J.C.Phillips & Son Ltd
Big thanks to Sue at SCATS Dorchester Branch for supplying the twine to secure the roof timbers! We hope.
Big thanks to Pat and the boys at Dorchester Timber for supplying the bow saw and work gloves to keep the volunteers happy and enable them to work for longer!
Stage 2.2 - the A-Team dig the first test holes and make some test bricks.
Bob mixing the mud and straw and sand to make bricks
Paul and Richard dig a hole to support the thatch roof
Mark tests the MIX for the brick making to ensure all is good for the volunteers on Saturday
While Paul tests the end of the ram-rod to see how hard it is. A&E maybe stitches?
Mark explains what we’ve done and how the brick mix is going to work.
Mark, Bob, Paul, Poppy (standing in for braces Alan) and Richard. Due to the amount of meetings we have had planning this event in the local curry house (sponsors welcomed) we should call this the “Balti Diggers Team". Well done guys the work has begun.
Iain James (Working with Rod Miller) Thatcher’s from Dorset come to donate some thatch and help by sharing advice with Bob (our thatching student!). Thanks also to Ian Gay Thatcher for his help, support and advice.
Bob from IPP Joules gets questioned by our own Claire Budd, whilst BBC South Today Camera Man get the latest tips on thatching mud huts. www.IPPJoules.com
A quick cuppa and time for a group photo. Thanks to ALL our volunteers today you did a wonderful job.
"Well done to all the volunteers (too many to mention!) thank you so much for your time and support. Have a look at the photos to see the progress. We finished working at 6pm and everyone cleared up and went home for a long deep bath! Slept like a log!” Richard Budd
Bob the super star thatcher! After a 10min induction into the theory of thatching with Rod Miller, Bob pulls this little number out of the bag! Whilst we, just stand looking in amazement. Has this man no end to his skills. www.IPPJoules.com
Stage 3.Volunteers help make the bricks and wooden frame structure.
The "first hut" construction days are Saturday 29th August and Saturday 5th September 2009. 9am to 5pm - but do what time you can offer.
Volunteers help make the bricks and wooden frame structure. If you would like to volunteer please contact: Mark Woodward, D.C & T.C. Manager, Units 1&2, Parkway Farm Business Park, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3AR (see map below) or telephone 01305 266511
Here's the map showing the Business Park. Swing by the B3150.
Stage 4. Thatch the roof (Bob is the man for this!)
Stage 5. Toucal (traditional African hut) is ready for guests
Stage 6.Open day for schools 1st, 2nd - 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th October 2009 (to book telephone Mark Woodward on 01305 266511)
At IPP we aim to make a difference to the environment, not only through the thoughtful planning of international print and production, but by also being directly involved in the restoration of ancient woodlands..
Thanks to J C Phillips & Son Ltd for the sharp sand.
David & Rachel Weston and the crew for all the help.
Telephone: 01308 422179 www.jcphillips.co.uk
Big thanks to Sue at SCATS Dorchester Branch for supplying the twine to secure the roof timbers! We hope.
Big thanks to Pat and the boys at Dorchester Timber for supplying the bow saw and work gloves to keep the volunteers happy and enable them to work for longer! Also the braces for "Braces Alan"
