Bushcraft Magazine May Meet 2011
Written by Phil Brown, Badger Bushcraft Blog Wednesday, 04 May 2011 10:03
One of the highlights of a series of annual events we attend each and every year is the “Bushcraft Magazine May Meet”. We are always glad to attend, share ideas and meet friends old and new – and this year the weather was amazing in our little corner of Kent!
We have attended the Bushcraft Magazine May Meet since its conception and the event has always been a tremendous success in a variety of ways. Organised with passion and enthusiasm from the very start these occasions are regarded very highly by those that attend year in and year out.
This year at the Bushcraft Magazine we have seen some changes with Huw Woodman taking a step back from the frontline and now the magazine is run by Steve, Cathy, Bardster and Sarah. Huw was still at the event running his ever popular “Fire and Forge” classes and it is great to see him still involved and supporting the progress of the magazine.
We arrived early on Friday 28th April to get set up and establish our camp area and to re-rig the parachute shelter I had left up at the fire area, as both Badger Bushcraft and The Bushcraft Magazine occasionally share the same site.
Friday was a laid back affair with a lot of good friends arriving including Richard and Jake H., J.P., Pablo, Ray, Chris, Vince, Tracy and George. In the evening we went for a bimble along the Greensand Way looking at plants, trees, animal tracks and sign, the sunset and just generally lapping up the atmosphere of a wonderful May evening complimented by the beautiful views we are so blessed with here in our small village. We concluded our bimble and nature walk with a visit to “the local”, The Egerton George, where we discussed many topics and we enjoyed an ale and a superb meal. We departed the pub in the dark and had a outstanding walk back via the footpaths, lanes and fields without the use of torchlight. Thanks to Pablo and JP for taking the extra time to teach Ben some valuable night time tracking skills and give him the confidence to lead the party without using his torch!
Food and drink was always available with the sterling efforts of our good friends Vince and Tracy who prepare and cook the most delicious foods. Their chicken curry was a superb dish and one I could not resist eating for breakfast as it smelt so delicious.
We were due to deliver a fire class for the children on the Saturday but due to the number and popularity of other courses it was decided by Cathy to roll this over to the Sunday. There was, however, one little girl who was really looking forward to our class and would not be able to attend the Sunday session as she was going home, we were able to provide her with a hands-on demonstration of all the methods of making flame which was then complimented by the Bushcraft Living lads, Jason and Scotty, who were running fire by friction sessions throughout the weekend.
The morning soon merged with the afternoon and we went to our camp area to build a fire and slow cook a beef stew in Guinness. The Dutch oven was put to good use and we enjoyed sharing a meal with friends.
Saturday evening was rounded off by a most excellent al fresco concert delivered by Kent folk legend and our good friend Martin Ledner who entertained a hoard of bushcrafters with his music around the central fire point.
Sunday saw another bright yet breezy day with yet more courses. Badger Bushcraft delivered a Children’s Firecraft Session at midday under the central parachute which was then complimented by an excellent Knife Safety Workshop delivered by one of our good pals J.P.
It was lovely to see so many families having a wonderful time and sharing being in the outdoors, enjoying not just the courses, bushcraft stalls, amazing food, etc. but enjoying the genuine and interesting company of others that always attend this event.
There were, of course, some very funny moments. Some of which are captured below:-
There are lots more pictures of the weekend on the Badger Bushcraft photobucket site avialable here
Sadly the Monday came around far too quickly and it was time to pack and leave as we had to set up for another course based in a local school the following morning.
If you have not been to the Bushcraft Magazine May Meet we would recommend getting the dates in your diary and your tickets bought well in advance as it really is an event not to be missed!
