Situated here in the centre of
France surrounded by beautiful unspoilt countryside, we are south of
Bourges, between Saint Amand-Montrond and Sancoins in the very heart
of the Berry.
Here you will find plenty to
discover if, for instance, you are planning a combined holiday, or
perhaps an afternoon and evening out after a pleasant day
woodworking.
My professionally equipped
workshop is a converted barn typical of the area and nestles close
to our old traditional farmhouse. Both are stone built and look
out over uninterrupted views across meadow and woodland. We also
enjoy the sights and sounds of abundant wildlife as well as the
cows, which roam the surrounding meadows, their occasional calls
punctuating the quiet tranquillity. The overall ambience of
rusticity belies the creativity and work we accomplish here. In
fact in 2005 we were awarded a laureate “ Prix Départmental SEMA
des Métiers d’Art” - one of only four presented that year in our
department - for one of our chairs.
Barry in his Workshop in France
Click to enlarge photos
The course
details are below, but firstly some of the activities and places you
can find in the area.
Activities such as fishing, golf,
riding, swimming - local lakes with beaches, canoeing on the river
Loire (the part of the river Loire in our region is the wildest
part, full of exceptional fauna and flora), cycling along the canal
de Berry. There are many places to visit and, as a bonus, we do not
have the crowds here as in the more “touristy” parts of France.
There are plenty of interesting Chateaux, such as Ainay-le Viel,
Meillant, Mentou-Salon, including le chateau de Bannegon, which is
in the next village to us. Aubigny sur Nère, home to the Stuarts
for 3 centuries. Gardens are a “must” here too. Visit the gardens
at Orsan, Drulon, Ainay le Vieil, Apremount-sur-Allier - one of the
100 most beautiful villages in France, Limeux and plenty more.
Bourges is the capital of the Berry and was the medieval capital of
France and is a beautiful city to visit with its magnificent
cathedral and “Nuits Lumiere de Bourges”. We have the Forest of
Tronçais – the oldest and largest oak forest in Europe - on our
doorstep. The “Route Jacques Coeur” and “ Route de Porcelain” run
near us too. The Berry is the land of “Witches” and even has a
museum devoted to them too. Being France, there are many good
things to eat and drink and we have our own specialties such as wine
from Sancerre, Mentou, Côteaux du Giennois, Chateaumeillant,
Quincy, goats’ cheese from Chavignol…… to name but a few. Look up
www.berrylecher.com for more information on our region.
Students proudly displaying their boxes
Students proudly displaying their
work.... and Heidi, who does not like to miss a photo opportunity!"
Our farmhouse
The workshop is fully and
professionally equipped which may cause you to think about other
wood working topics; these we can discuss during the course and if
we find we have time I shall be happy to help iron our any
woodworking problems you may have come up against in the past.
Click to enlarge photos
Summer Workshop Course
Details:
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Course:
Chair Making Course 2008
Students: Maximum 2 students.
Duration: 5 days
Course dates: Monday
28th
July to Friday 1st August (inclusive)
Price: 495 Euros
At the end of the chair making
course you will be the proud owner of a “Shaker Windsor” style
dinning chair as attributed to Brother Micajah Tucker of Canterbury
New Hampshire. We shall be using locally grown elm, oak and ash for
different parts of the chair. The different qualities of these
woods and why they are used will be explained during the course.
This course will focus on the care, sharpening and mastery of hand
tools. Skills you can take away and reuse at home. Then maybe you
will go on to complete a whole set of dinning chairs. All Materials
and use of tools included in price, as is morning coffee/tea and
lunch.
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Course:
Shaker Box Making Course 2008
Students: Maximum 4 students.
Duration: 4 days
Course dates:
Friday 4th
July to Monday 7th July (inclusive)
Price: 350 Euros
You will be
making a very practical and useful nesting set of three shaker boxes
#3, #4, #5 from locally grown walnut or cherry. As well as the use of
sharpening of hand tools, you will learn to steam bend and to lay
veneer. All Materials and use of tools included in price, as is
morning coffee/tea and lunch.
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The number of
students has been deliberately keep small so that I am able to give
everyone individual and personal attention. This way both courses
are made suitable for either beginners or the more experienced
woodworker alike.
Please write,
telephone or email if you would like more details, or to book your
course.
Accommodation is available nearby
with something for everyone, from a chateau, to camping on the
farm. Contact us for more information. We can recommend which
accommodation will suite you best and help with bookings.
Terms and
conditions:
25% Non-refundable deposit with
booking.
Final 75% 2 weeks before course
start date.
Contact
details:
Barry and Lesley-Anne Horton
Les Moussins
18210 Vernais
France
Telephone: From France:
024860-5640
(International): 00-33-24860-5640
Email:
info@barry-horton.com
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