LOCATION: Goonown Barn, Goonown Growers CIC, Goonown Lane, TR0 5UX, Cornwall

DATES: 9th - 10th March 2024, 9.30am - 5.30pm

THE WORKSHOP: The two days workshop aims at providing a broad understanding of hemp and lime application in construction. Weaving theory and practice, we will learn about how to make hemp blocks, and how to apply hemp lime in timber frame construction, shuttering, mixing and pressing. Working on prototypes will allow you to familiarise with the material before engaging with the live scale construction in the barn.

THE BARN: The barn is a space aimed at supporting the organic agricultural work on site. 

The site is run by Goonown Growers CIC, a community market garden that not only grows food, but also educates people on sustainable growing and welcomes them to connect with nature. 

The building was designed by Social Designs CIC and built by an all female team over the summer of 2023. The construction site was opened to the contribution of the community throughout the summer months, allowing many women to put hands on tools for the first time, improve their existing skills or change their careers. 

The barn was designed with sustainable principles in mind, sitting on ground screws, using second hand materials and timber from sustainably managed forests. 

This workshop provides the opportunity to learn about and showcase a traditional construction technique of agricultural origin, framing the northernmost field of the farm.

ACCOMMODATION: Participants are welcome to camp on site, or find their own accommodation; St Agnes is recommended as it is within walking distance.

FOOD: Vegetarian/vegan lunch is provided on both days, cooked with site-grown organic vegetables. 

ACCESS: The site is accessible with vehicles, although we request participants to only drive to site if strictly necessary, as parking is available on the main road. Please let us know if you have any access requirements. We will also organise a WhatsApp group to encourage the group to coordinate lifts sharing. 

PRICE: We have 10 spaces available, full price for those who can afford the course, reduced fee for low income or free for no income.

Full Price: £85.00

Half Price: £42.50

Free ticket

NB: There will be a social media give away ticket.

If you are asking for a reduced price or a free ticket please write us a paragraph explaining why you would like to do the workshop. We have a limited number available, so we request you do this before the 21st of February. Full price tickets will be assigned on a first come first served basis. 

TO APPLY: Send us an email at fran@socialdesigns.org and we’ll send you a subscription form.