Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
21st September 2024
Wonder Walls
One of my passions has always been dry stone walling. As kids, when Dad was doing any walling at home, me and my brother would always build our little dry stone walls alongside him. They were always knocked down at the end of the day and rebuilt the next day. It kept us occupied and tired for many a school holiday and I suppose was the cheaper and rural version of Lego. Either way, it stayed with me and developed into a passion.
Years ago I spent some time with a Master Craftsman learning the basics, and since then I have rebuilt many a stretch of dry stone wall for a client and in my own piggy field – all of which have stayed up – the ultimate test of a wall.
Recently I decided I want to get my certificates and so went on the obligatory ‘Stone Wall Taster Weekend’ in the wilds of the Brecon Beacons. It rained. The whole time. But despite the traditional Welsh summer weather, every single – very muddy – person had a big grin on their face for the whole weekend. It was fantastic. Twelve people from very different backgrounds, and who wanted to learn more about dry stone walling for several different reasons, worked almost shoulder to shoulder to strip out and rebuild a section of ‘wayward’ wall.
Instrumental to keeping the group morale high (and Health and Safety) were the instructors, Simon and Richard (and part-time Pip), with their impeccable teaching style and welcomed wit. Common sense, years of combined experience and banter prevailed.
The south Wales ‘Wonder Wallers’ are just one of 18 regional branches of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain (DSWA), whose Head Office is in Cumbria. Established in 1968 and a registered charity, they endeavour to advance education in the craft and heritage of dry stone walling for the public benefit.
For more details on Taster Weekends, certification courses, becoming a member and much more visit www.drystonewalling.wales or email David Cope at information@drystonewalling.wales
And I have to say a huge congratulations to 25 year old Barney Murray from Denbighshire, who has recently reached the prestigious status of Master Craftsman dry stone waller. I would love to get that far.
I actually booked the Taster Weekend through a company called Craft Courses, who were very efficient and helpful. On completion of the weekend, I left a review, which ‘won’ me Reviewer of The Week Award. I emailed founder Kate Dewmartin to thank her and discovered that Craft Courses is actually based in Pembrokeshire. It is an absolutely fantastic way to experience ‘that thing that you’ve always wanted to try’.
Kate explained, “We are a UK community of independent makers, craftspeople and artists who teach (around 5,100 are currently registered with more signing up every day). We started in 2011. We are a B Corps company (global ethical certification). We are female owned (me!) and a small team of 5. We are based in Pembrokeshire. We build all the tech ourselves, bespoke for our makers. We’re basically passionate about getting people making!”
Rather impressively they offer gift vouchers redeemable against 6,400 (yes, 6,400) ‘odd creative experiences’, so there is definitely something for everyone. And with Christmas less than 100 days away (I am reliably informed), it’s just the easiest and most enjoyable way to find that perfect present for the person who has everything – or who doesn’t! You can also join up as a teacher. More details at www.craftcourses.com or call 01239 805080.
Not surprisingly, I already have a list as long as the stretch of stone wall we rebuilt a few weekends ago!
And as an unusual footnote, whilst at Rockfield Recording Studios recently I was shown the impressive stone wall, which Noel sat on to record Wonder Wall for (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. It was April and he characteristically recalled it being ‘****ing freezing’.
Berry Nice
Berry season is well and truly upon us. As well as the edible type – like blackberries and autumn raspberries – the decorative type are lifting my spirits and pushing back the ‘dread of winter’. In gardens, some of the most reliably decorative berries definitely hang from the Sorbus trees. There are a wide variety of Sorbus, most of which are popular additions to smaller gardens, and can be seen lining avenues and pavements.
Commonly known as mountain ash or rowan trees, they are no relation of the Ash tree but, a bit surprisingly, belong to the Rosaceae, or rose, family. As always, I think plant families are even more complex than human ones!
There is virtually a Sorbus suitable for all gardens and they come in a wide variety of ‘berry colour’, most of which are loved by the birds – although red ones seem to be eaten first and the yellow and orange ones tend to be left to last. Sorbus cashmiriana has eyecatching pearlescent white berries, November Pink, as the name suggests, has clusters of soft pink berries, Sorbus aucuparia has bright red berries with S. aucuparia ‘Autumn Spire’ boasting stunning, vibrant yellow berries and the more common Joseph’s Rock offering more ‘buttery yellow’ berries.
Whilst beautiful to look at, if eaten the Sorbus berries can cause gastrointestinal problems for pets. Technically considered toxic to dogs and cats, the problem lies in the seeds. These seeds have to be crushed before being swallowed to release the cyanide-like stuff in the seeds, and which cause the problem.
Although some will argue that your dog is unlikely to actually crush the seeds, I am a great believer that your beloved pets shouldn’t be allowed to eat berries at all – it’s a far safer option. Several dog owners have told me that their dog eats blackberries from the hedgerow and while it might sound ‘cute’, it could pose problems if they choose berries that are toxic. And too many blackberries could also cause an upset tummy – as a small child will tell you (from memory).
Rose hips and hawthorn berries are adding splashes of colour to hedgerows and every now and then the translucent, bright red berries of the honeysuckle will undoubtedly catch your eye. They are stunning and last well in a vase indoors too. I recently took Mum a ‘wild bouquet’ of blackberries, hypericum berries and honeysuckle berries from my garden and they were a ‘berry’ good topic of conversation for sometime.
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