Natural Straw Crafts and Corn Dollies - Mansfield Woodhouse Library - Adult Learning

Key details

• Date: 6 - 20 June 2023
• Sessions: Tuesdays: 10am - 12pm
• No. sessions: 3
• Venue: Mansfield Woodhouse Library, Mansfield
• For ages: 19+
• Group size: 5 - 10
• Cost: Free

About this course

This course is for anyone with an interest in straw work, and no previous experience is required.

Working with straw is part of our cultural past, however it is something few people are aware of. This course will give you an introduction to working with straw, covering three different techniques across three weeks.

We will start from scratch, from a sheaf of corn (wheat), and will look at how corn is prepared for straw work. From this, we will work with three main straw-working techniques: plaiting, making corn dollies and making himeli.  

Additional techniques will be referred to as something that can be explored after the course.

By the end of this course you will:

• Understand how to sort, prepare and store straw
• Know different techniques for weaving plaits
• Be able to make a simple corn dolly
• Know about making himeli
• Have an appreciation of other straw techniques
• Understand the heritage of straw work
• Will have the resources and knowledge to take the skill further

Please bring:

• an apron and a tea towel
• scissors
•  an A4 folder, for paperwork and handouts
• reading glasses if you need them

This course is programmed as part of the Miner2Major Landscape Partnership scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course  please visit our webpage for further information  https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

• Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING.
• Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking.  If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas:

• Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater London
• Greater Manchester
• Liverpool City Region
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
• Tees Valley
• West of England
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire

Any questions?

Check the FAQs page, or get in touch:

• By phone: 01623 677 200
• By email: learning@inspireculture.org.uk

Book your place

Visit the Inspire website for full details and booking options

Organised by: Inspire Culture | Learning | Libraries