Lanterm procession this Saturday – 7pm.  Bring all your snowdrop lanterns or just bring any that you have!  The procession is being led by a giant pig!

Saturday and Sunday 25 & 26 February
Mobile Foundry Workshops
FREE EVENT  Practical Workshops with demonstrations by artist/sculptor Roddy Mathieson using his Mobile Foundry.
Cast your own design in pewter using a cuttlefish mould and Roddy’s bellow furnace.  Help to operate it and take home your unique work of art!
Only 12 per session - advance booking required.  Suitable for everyone, but children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Three Sessions each day from 12noon.  Book now!

Wednesday 1^st February

Jesse lit the fire for our Kelly Kettle using a firesteel but it took a bit longer today as it was difficult to find dry material to light. Last time we made it easy by using wire wool which burns very easily. This was Jesses last session with us as he was of to the Outer Hebrides at the end of the week.

After coffee we headed off to harvest the willow growing near the house. We cut several bundles and this will be used in the lantern making workshops later this month. It is always difficult to decide when to cut as the stems provide bright colour in the winter  but leaving it late means that buds will have started to form. We then walked up to the willow arch that I made last year and cleared some of the growth around it. Some of the stems had grown so we carefully wove in where possible and trimmed back others. Afterwards we  had time for a little footpath clearing work.

Next meeting Wednesday 10.15am, 8th February. I will be at our room in the Stables from 10am hopefully with a kettle on. We will move our room to the other side of the Stables and then will either start making some willow lanterns for the Snowdrop Festival or carry on with our footpath work. Bring Wellingtons if you have them,  hope to see you.

Wednesday 18^th January 2012

We started the morning with a short introduction to green woodworking, splitting some Beech logs from a tree brought down in the recent storm. We used some traditional tools, a froe and mallet for the splitting and then used a shaving horse and drawknife to shape the wood. It is a relaxing and quick way to work, making things such as bench legs and tool handles.

We then walked up to the Coach House to work on the footpath along the burn. Some of the handrails needed mending and some parts of the path are very muddy. We dug drainage ditches and laid down logs to make the path easier to walk.

Next meeting Wednesday 10.30am,  25^th January.  I will be at our room in the Stables from 10am hopefully with a kettle on. We will have a short session on green woodworking and then carry on with our footpath work. Bring Wellingtons if you have them, hope to see you.

Update 1

The first meeting this year of Cambo Green Gym was on the day after the storm had passed through. Quite a few trees had come down, several pines and a large beech and oak in the snowdrop woods and limbs of all sizes were scattered around. I had planned some willow lantern making but it seemed more useful to start clearing the paths so people could walk around without climbing over fallen wood.

Come and join us next week, activities will depend on the weather but may include more path clearing !

Green Gym

We meet every Wednesday morning to carry out a range of activities in the woods such as clearing and maintaining paths, trimming trees, checking tree guards and removing ivy, making bird boxes and harvesting and planting willow. There may also be time to learn simple green woodworking and woodland skills such as coppicing, charcoal burning and bench making. If it is really wet or windy we may work indoors but please come prepared with warm outdoor work clothes and strong boots, gloves are useful.

Meet at the Stables every Wednesday 10 – 1.30pm, tea and coffee provided and stopping at 1pm for lunch, bring your own.

Contact  Jon Warnes, Woodland Educator
Cambo Institute mail@camboinstitute.com  01333 450 054

The long awaited events list has arrived.  If you need any more information or would like posters about the events  just give us a call 01333 450054!

1 February to 13 March
Snowdrop Spectacular
Open Daily 10 am to 5pm
Thousands of snowdrops carpet the woodlands – National Collection of Snowdrops (over 350 different varieties) – Feed the Piglets – Environmental Sculptures -  Free Drop-in Workshops – Snowdrop Gift Shop -  Visit the Snowdrop Tea Room – Bulbs & Plants for Sale – Lantern Procession

11 to 19 February
Snowdrops by Starlight
Daily from 5.30pm  – Booking essential!
Enjoy the mesmerising light effects as these unique snowdrop woods are transformed by light and sound. An inspiring and artistic spectacle!
New for 2012 – Story telling with Lizzie McDougall, Snowdrop lantern workshops with Jon Warnes.
Prebooked tickets and car park voucher available online at www.snowdropsbystarlight.com or phone 01333 450054/450313

Saturday 11 February – 10.30 to 4.00pm
FREE EVENT – Drop-in Adult Workshop with Willow Weaver Jon WarnesHelp make snowdrop lanterns and the giant pig lantern which will lead the free Lantern Procession on Saturday 25 February

Sunday 12 February – 10.30 to 4.00pm
FREE EVENT – Drop-in Adult and Accompanied Child Workshop with Willow Weaver Jon Warnes.
Make snowdrop lanterns for the free Lantern Procession on Saturday 25 February

Saturday and Sunday 18 & 19 February – 10.00 to 4.30pm
FREE EVENT Drop-in Workshops for all with sculptor Kevin Blackwell. 
Help Kevin make a willow and wood Cambo pig and piglet or create your own to take home.

Saturday 18 February – 10.30 to 4.00pm
FREE EVENT – Drop-in Adult and Accompanied Child Workshop with Willow Weaver Jon Warnes.
Make snowdrop lanterns for the free Lantern Procession on Saturday 25 February

Saturday and Sunday 25 & 26 February – Three Sessions from 12noon.
FREE EVENT  Practical Workshops with demonstrations by artist/sculptor Roddy Mathieson using his Mobile Foundry. Cast your own design in pewter using a cuttlefish mould and Roddy’s bellow furnace.  Help to operate it and take home your unique work of art!
Only 12 per session - advance booking required.  Suitable for everyone, but children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 25 February – 7pm
FREE EVENT for all the family.  If you’ve made a lantern at one of the workshops, come along and take part in the Lantern Procession through the snowdrops and see them by the light of the moon and stars.  Or bring your own lantern and join the fun. (Instructions to make your own available at Cambo or online)  Refreshments will be available and Gift Shop will be open.

Sunday 4 March – Afternoon and evening.
FREE EVENT with Dark Skies
By day - comet making demonstrations, meteorite handling, rocket making and launching.  By night – stargazing with an astronomy presentation.  Planetarium show if the sky is not clear. Advance booking required.

Saturday and Sunday 14 & 15 April
Dry Stone Walling Course
For more information and to book visit www.dswa.org.uk

Sunday 15 April – 2.00pm
Introduction to Propagation with Ruth McHutchon Assistant Head Gardener
A run through of all the basic propagation techniques and equipment needed.  Includes practical demonstration.
Tickets £15  -  Friends of Cambo & RHS Members £12.50 (Coffee and Shortbread included)

26 April to 7 May
Cambo’s 3rd Tulip Festival
Sponsored by Bloms Bulbs
Thousands of tulips to see in the garden and a wonderful display of cut blooms. There will be an exhibition of environmental sculptures and tulip photography and art workshops will be taking place throughout the festival.  Representatives from Bloms Bulbs will be on hand to give advice 26 to 30 April.

Friday 27 April – 6.30pm (Gardens will be open from 5.00pm)
Growing for Gold – with Helen Elliott  – Horticulturist and Nursery Manager at Bloms Bulbs. 
Tulip talk -  a fascinating insight into how ‘Bloms Bulbs’ grow their tulips and prepare for Chelsea Flower Show where they have already won 61 Gold Medals for their wonderful displays.
Practical advice and tips on growing your own tulips, and other bulbs/plants.
Tickets £16 -  Friends of Cambo & RHS Members £13 (Wine and nibbles included) 

Saturday and Sunday 12  & 13 May – all day
Huts, Hideaways & Sheds with Jon Warnes
A two day course for complete beginners.
If you have never, or hardly ever, used woodworking tools but want to make a small hut or shed for your garden, then this is the course for you.  £95.00
Huts available for sale at end of course.

Sunday 27 May
Willow Workshop with Jon Warnes
Learn how to make decorative and functional plant supports for your garden.
Details to be confirmed.   

22 June to 7 July
Rose Festival
Over 100 climbers and ramblers scramble through trees, over ropes, along bridges etc Historic Rose Collection.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 18, 19, 20 July – 10 am to 1pm
Art Workshops for Children. Advance booking required. Contact Cambo for further information.

Saturday and Sunday 21 & 22 July – 10am to 5pm
Intensive Art Weekend
Saturday - Expressive Life Drawing with  Judith Heald.
Sunday - Printmaking without a Press with Lisa Gribbon.
Materials, tea and coffee provided.  Bring own lunch.
Advance booking required.    Over 16s only – £40.00 per session

Sunday 22 July – 2pm
Designing the Small Garden with Elliott Forsyth – Head Gardener
An in depth look at the key elements of designing a small garden.  Includes ideas on planning the layout, advice on plant selection and arrangement.
Tickets £15 – Friends of Cambo & RHS Members £12.50  (Coffee and shortbread included)

Wednesday and Thursday 25 and 26 July -7.30pm
Deadly Dilemma
A Victorian Drama by the Byre Writers by Red Wine Productions.  Promenade theatre in Cambo House. For more information and to book visit www.crailfestival.co.uk

August
Heartwood Artists will be exhibiting throughout the woodlands.  Not to be missed!

Sunday 26 August – 2.30pm
The North American Prairie Design, Construction & Management
Talk by Elliott  Forsyth – Head Gardener
An insight into how to make a North American Prairie, based on the one at Cambo. Tickets £15 – Friends of Cambo & RHS Members £12.50 (Coffee and shortbread included)

Thursday 30 August
The Rabbit’s Eye View with Dr Noel Kingsbury
This garden-based workshop aims at encouraging participants to observe garden plants, focussing on their growth through the year, looking at how they compete with each other, how to assess prospects for their longevity and their suitability for a variety of garden locations.

Saturday and Sunday 29 & 30 September
Dry Stone Walling Course
For more information and to book visit www.dswa.org.uk

Sunday 14 October 12 to 4pm
Octoberfest
A Harvest Festival for all the family
Gather apples for the pigs, or yourself, make Halloween lanterns, press apples for juice amid wonderful autumn colours.  Cookery demonstrations – Learn to make a corn dolly – Seasonal stalls and crafts. 

November – every Wednesday
Cambo House Uncovered
In support of Cambo Institute
Tour of Cambo House with a member of the Erskine family. 
Ticket £9.50 includes coffee and shortbread.

Sunday 18 November  – 11 to 4pm
Christmas Food and Craft Fair
In support of Gardening Leave
www.gardeningleave.org
Local crafts and delicacies
Seasonal music and entertainment
Admission £1.00 – Children free

Only a few weeks remain until Snowdrops by Starlight.  The event transforms the already stunning Cambo Woodlands into a magical wonderland!  It’s just so exciting!  Preparations are well underway to make the 3rd year the best so far.

In addition to the spectacular Snowdrops by Starlight Cambo Estate is open every day (10am to 5pm) during the Snowdrop Festival.  You can see thousands of snowdrops carpet woodland walks to sea,  see the National Collection of Snowdrops (over 350 varieties), feed our hungry Piglets, visit our Snowdrop Gift Shop, see the environmental sculptures around the estate or join in with one of our many workshops.  New for this year is our first lantern parade!  Come to one of our free workshops to make yours or just bring your own
Our Tea Room is also open and we have a large variety of bulbs and plants for sale including some of our very special snowdrops!

Yes, it’s that easy.  All you have to do is click on the  button on our Facebook page to win tickets to Snowdrops by Starlight.  Each week we will randomly select a winner… go on give it a go!
http://www.facebook.com/CamboEstate

Ticket, ticket, tickets……. get yours now!  You can book by telephone or visit www.snowdropsbystarlight.com  Don’t leave it too late!
In addition to the magical illuminations there will be lantern making and story telling workshops for you to enjoy.

Great news.  Snowdrops by Starlight will run for nine nights commencing 11 February 2012!  Tickets will go on sale soon so keep your eyes peeled!  Click like to keep up to date on Facebook
PS Start looking out your photographs from last year as we will be running a photographic competition to win free tickets to next years Snowdrops by Starlight!