The Course
Are you interested how traditional skills can shape a better future?
Have you ever wanted to pick up a road kill but didn't know if it was safe or legal?
Join us, in the heart of the Forest of Dean to learn the traditional skill of processing whole deer including hide tanning.
Using an entire intact deer you will first learn how to create a connection with the spirit of the animal, honouring and giving thanks for the animals life.
We will then discuss picking up roadkill and other ways to safely, ethically and legally source wild meat.
You will learn about various skinning and butchering techniques then looking at the anatomy and the organs to fully utilise for not just cooking and eating but also for tool making and other ancestral implements.
We will then move onto butchery and different ethos of cooking and eating and ways of preserving and you will even be able to take some delights away with you.
There will be discussions and demonstrations on the use of the skins and organic tanning methods,
You will have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the processing: grallocking, skinning, butchering and cooking.
We usually cook up a medley of delicious fresh organ meats and there will be an opportunity to take some fresh meat home with you - please bring cash or c ard.
About Scott
Leading this day is our skilled and experienced tanner and project Co-Director Scott Baine.
Scott has travelled across the world exploring, learning and practicing earth based ancestral skills.
He has learnt in the wilds of Scotland, Canada, USA, Sweden and Norway.
Being in contact with First Nations and Sami peoples brought him to a spiritual realisation. From this he joined a collective of likeminded people and formed a tribe living in the wilderness in Scandinavia. From here they organised DIY wilderness gatherings creating a unique environment for learning to happen.
Scott’s main focus on traditional tanning came from his time at renowned handicraft folk school in Sweden, which taught him to be resourceful not just with animal skins, but the whole animal being used as a means for surviving and thriving in the wild.
On his return to the UK, some 15 years ago Scott set up one of the UK’s only Ethical Organic Tanneries:
Teaching people in the Forest of Dean, and at festivals around the UK how to make use of waste from road kill, hunting and the food (waste) system. Sine then many others have followed suit - growing and reviving this fantastic, lineage and symbiosis with wild and domesticated animals
The Venue
This course is set at our off-grid 3/4 Acre Forest Garden / Permaculture Allotment. Here we have a fully kitted outdoor kitchen, uncover space, warm space and compost toilet.
The site may not be suitable for some people with physical disabilities - please get in touch if you are concerned.
Profits
The Rewild Project is a Not for Profit, Community Interest Company, and Social Enterprise. It is our mission to support local craftspeople and promote heritage craft skills.
We Rewild People by teaching skills in self reliance and resilience for an uncertain future.
After the craftspeople are paid, and costs are covered we put any profits back in to the community with our ‘weekday sessions for disadvantaged groups’ a lifeline for many local people who we pick up each day and bring to Kensley Sheds and others sites to build community, skills, and share nutritious hot, locally produced food.
Families & Children
You are welcome to bring well behaved children to this workshops, although we cannot guarantee you will have the same experience we will do our best to accommodate you all.
Children aged 9-12 will need a half price child’s ticket (add below) and will need to be accompanied by a full paying adult. 13 and over will need a full priced ticket, and will also nee to be accompanied by a full paying adult.
Sliding Scale Payment
We trust that you will choose the payment level that feels most appropriate. We aim to keep all our courses affordable, and the bursary places are subsidised by the full price places.