Driving to the test centre on sunny spring morning (7am) through the idyllic Derbyshire Dales was an absolute delight!
Test dates had been delayed due to Covid, not this time though.
In Autumn 2021 I enrolled on the Dry Stone Walling Lantra Level 1 course at The Eco Centre in Derbyshire.
Travelling from Fife to Derbyshire for each session (5 in all) might seem as a quite the mission. However, the staff and tutors made it a pleasant experience and was well worth it.
The Eco Centre in Wirksworth, Derbyshire has great facilities and has a number of courses available if you are interested in furthering your own skills or craft.
Each session is tailored to develop each individuals skills and focuses on getting each person up to speed. I managed to have time working with both limestone and gritstone working with both Trevor Wragg and Sally Hodgson. The opportunity to learn from both of these experienced wallers was invaluable.
We were blessed with a sunny clear day for the test itself. Everyone on the course completed the session with time left to spare. All participants passed.
I return to Fife delighted, with a pass at the initial level of the DSWA craftsman certification scheme. This is now my third discipline in walling with different stone walling types (flint, sandstone & dry stone) and look forward to achieving the intermediate level with the DSWA.
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