Hand Powered

Danny Hodgson Hand Powered Traditional Land Based Skills

Newchapel, Llanidloes

We use traditional skills to help people manage their land in an ecologically friendly way. This means using traditional hand tools and age old techniques, including scything, hedge laying and drystone walling. We offer both contract work and tuition for those looking to learn these ancient rural crafts and manage land in a sensitive and sustainable way.

Learn to Scythe!

23rd & 24th September 2023: Cleft Hurdle-Making Workshop

Newchapel near Llanidloes
Make a cleft hurdle with us, all by hand

30th September 2023: Rake-Making Workshop

Newchapel, Llanidloes
Make your own rake for hay-making and raking leaves in the garden using only hand tools

28th October & 4th November 2023: Wattle Hurdle-Making Course

Belan Bluebell Campsite, Cwmbelan, Llanidloes.
This course will take you through all the stages of constructing a wattle woven hurdle from either willow or hazel.
The Belan Bluebell Campsite is an ideal location for this course, nestled in the hill of beautiful mid-Wales

29th October, 5th November 2023: Wattle Hurdle-Making Workshop

Newchapel, Llanidloes
Learn to make a beautiful hazel hurdle using only hand tools

18th November 2023: Spoon-carving course

Newchapel, Llanidloes
Learn to make a beautiful spoon or spatula using only hand tools

25th & 26th November 2023: Scythe snath making course

Newchapel, Llanidloes
£245 per person for both days
Learn to make your own steam-bent scythe snath using only hand-tools

2nd & 3rd December 2023, 16th &17th January, 10th & 11th February, 24th & 25th February, 9th & 10th March 2024: Hedgelaying Course

Newchapel, Llanidloes
Learn to hedge lay on a range of different types of hedge using only hand-tools.

18th December 2023: Coppicing Course

Newchapel, Llanidloes
The skills and knowledge required to coppice a woodland sustainably have been passed down for generations.
Come along and have a go and you can then pass on the knowledge to others