8th-11th April 2023

Come and learn how to construct your own bender with expert Jessica Rost. Jessica has lived in many benders over the years, and will be assisted by Noel Cass who has built many benders on protest sites.

https://youtu.be/h_yADnEdD1o – Follow the link to see a video made by one of our participants of our last bender building course in 2023.

A bender tent is a simple shelter made using flexible poles such as those of hazel or willow. These are lodged in the ground, then bent and woven together to form a strong dome-shape. The dome is then covered using tarpaulin. The idea is that the whole lot can be dismantled and moved to another location easily on a simple hand cart. Benders can also be more permanent living spaces. They can be heated during the winter using a woodburning stove and are capable of withstanding very strong winds so long as the covers are well weighed down.

The origin of the bender cannot be ascribed to any particular ethnic group. The mat tents used by Tuareg nomads are very similar to them, and like structures are commonplace throughout sub-saharan Africa. They were used by Romanies in Europe until very recently, and in the UK were revived by the protest movement from 1960’s onwards.

Workshop leader:

Jessica also has lots of bender building experience. She is a sculptor and deviser of outdoor arts. She lives in her bender full time on site so you will get to see it during the workshop.

On one of the evenings we will be joined by the excellent Pete Linell from the Grow Your Own Home Project who will be presenting his talk ‘Where have all the benders gone?’ with time for a Q&Q afterwards. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FeKt2rae8/

What we will be covering:

We’ll be learning where and when to source suitable poles. There’ll be discussions around sustainability and off-grid living and we’ll take you out on a walk to cut and prepare some hazel. We’ll show you how to level the ground and we’ll aim to get the frame/structure built, with window frames in, by day two.

At the end of the four days you’ll have helped to build a completed bender with windows, ground sheet, flooring, lining, insulation, and final tarp covering. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to talk about many other considerations too, such as ventilation, wood burners, solar power and more.

The workshop is a residential and will include shared meals. There is camping on site (free for people on workshops), and some limited accommodation in the farm house (first come first served basis).

Cost
£200 per person for the full four day workshop.
The fee includes all refreshments for all 4 days, DIY breakfast provided and 2 delicious shared meals each day.
Meals will be vegan – please let us know dietary requirements on booking.

Accommodation is available in our 17th Century farmhouse for £15 per night.
Park-ups or camping in the orchard also available for £5 per night

Booking: To book a place or ask for more info please email: admin@ashbankart.com