The Cotswolds Branch of the DSWA has been about for 30 years+, back in the 1990’s the Branch was really active and ran loads of training courses every year. During the early 2000’s the branch started to slow down its activities as people moved away, changed jobs, left with just a handful of members willing to run the branch, it went dormant for a while.
A few from the branch continued to support shows and help train others that were interested, but it was a bit quiet socially.
The Cotswolds AONB started running rural skills courses and took over running courses at this point, there is actually quite a lot of organising these weekends away, so for at least the last decade, DSWA approved courses were run by the Cotswolds AONB with qualified instructors, when that closed down a few of us decided that we had enough enthusiasm to start the Branch up and running again, that was then, this is now.
We are all passionate about Dry Stone walls, we love the look of them, some of us get our income from building and repairing them, we are a group of friends that get on famously together and want to do what we can to promote the craft, share the skills and have a good time as well.
If you come along to one of our courses or socials I can assure you of a very warm welcome, It will be good to see you.
Courses
If you are interested in attending one of our courses you will spend the weekend with likeminded people learning about dry stone walls, how to take them apart, look for faults in a wall and rebuild. We will have a laugh along the way, we will talk about tools, types of walls, stones and some history, there might even be a rubbish joke thrown in for good measure.
You will be in safe hands on a Cotswolds Dry Stone Walling Association Course as all of our instructors have years of experience. The weekend stats at 9.30am on Saturday and finishes sometime after 3.30 depending on how much energy everyone has. 9.30am again for Sunday morning unless you are staying at a local B+B and breakfast isn’t served until then, dont worry, we will wait for you. Finishing mid Sunday afternoon for those of you that have a bit of a journey home. Bring a packed lunch, plenty to drink and appropriate clothing for the weather.
A Branch of DSWA-GB
Cotswolds DSWA is a branch of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA–GB) which was founded in 1968 and which seeks to ensure the best craftsmanship of the past is preserved and that the craft has a thriving future.
DSWA-GB works to improve knowledge and understanding of the craft. It produces a series of information leaflets, practical books on the craft and promotes walling competitions. There is also a national, graded, craft skills certification scheme and members all receive a lively magazine the Waller & Dyker.
The Association has 1200 members throughout Britain – many belong to local branches. The branches organise a range of activities including training courses open to all and practice meets for their members. The Association also encourages surveys of walls and promotes its Pinnacle Award for projects of excellence.