Carving a Piece of History

To carve a spoon, for me is heaven, and this summer I want to share my joy for this simple pastime, and invite you to have a go at learning the ancient craft of spoon carving at Stanton Park. With simple, but finely crafted tools, you’ll carve your own spoon and master the skills to practice on your own, safely and efficiently. What could be a better way to spend a lazy day?

It’s my antidote for the ills of a manufactured world, where our microwave meals come in a plastic bowl, our trainers last six months, and they all go home in a plastic bag. They’re here to make our life easy, disposable items that we use once and throw away without a care, and it’s all well and good that we can leave these things behind and get on with our busy lives, but it all costs money, and the environment, and dare I say, it’s difficult to treasure any of it in the slightest. Put it this way, I can’t see many iPhones becoming a family heirloom!

Is it because there is no skill in creating these things? Not really. I’m certain I could never build a smartphone. I believe the cause is that they lack the human touch. No craftsperson’s signature found upon them, no tool marks telling the story of their creation, and none of the personality that only emerges from a unique piece of work, a one off.

Believe it or not, there was once a time when the everyday things we used were built to last. Our shoes would get new soles, our clothes would be repaired, and our saws would be sharpened by the saw doctor, and all kinds of things would be reused and recycled as a part of everyday life.

Of course, this wasn’t because previous generations were worried sick about global warming, or the laid awake at night, worrying about the destruction of the rainforests. No… It’s simply that often it was too difficult and too expensive to keep replacing worn out tools and clothes, and instead we learned to take more care. This meant that our most useful possessions also became our most treasured. Full of character, personal, and loved.

When I carve I feel this strongly, creating a thing that will be used and treasured. Not to mention that it’s great fun! So get in touch now for your chance to learn a new craft, and create your very own wooden spoon.

Spaces on this day course are £25 each, only available via advanced booking with the Rangers. Please get in touch on 01793 490150, or email us at swindonrangers@swindon.gov.uk

Article written by Swindon Ranger, David Boase