This year we will be building a 50m cartlodge at the traditional brickworks, Bulmer Brick & Tile, which is south of Sudbury and some 20 minutes away from Assington Mill by car.  This is a marvellous place, where bricks are still made by hand.  It looks just like the drawings in contemporary literature of a medieval brickworks.  Peter Minter, the owner, will give you a tour of the brickworks after work one evening.  Several members of the Minter family work and live on the site, and your main host will be Tony Minter.  Yana Young will be providing lunch every day.

The first three days will be primarily concerned with construction; the last two with plastering.  Click on the ACCOMMODATION button on this website for contact details for local B&Bs and camping.  When booking, don't forget to say which days you want to attend and whether you have any special dietary requirements.

The course will be led by Barbara Jones, Britain's leading authority on strawbale construction.  She was behind the strawbale buildings that many of you will have seen on the TV programme Grand Designs.  Click on her name above to read more about her.

This course is now full, but please ring Anne on 01787 229955 if you would like to be put on the reserve list.

Comments from past participants:

Thank you for providing the opportunity, setting and support for such a wonderful course over the past few days.  And thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for being such perfect hosts.  All the extra touches made the experience very special.  Tristan

This was a really well run course - such a privilege to meet and work with such an interesting, diverse and lovely group of people. 

Overall experience very very good.  Really liked the way the group was managed.  You brought us all together and gave us shared ownership and a common cause.

This building with strawbales course went far beyond the benefit of techniques and principles which I learned personally.  Being brought together with a dozen individuals I had never met before - learning with them socialising and sharing meals with them - gave a valuable and very enjoyable extra dimension to the process.  The setting, and Anne and Bobs' hospitality, were so special and will stay with me a long time.  I feel I have learned new skills and more new friends.  I feel inspired, exhilarated and exhausted!  Thank you.

Exceeded our expectations - great fun - lots of ideas - hardly a thought of home or work.  Thanks again for fabulous hospitality.  Bill & Jean

The week was absolutely wonderful.  Really good for the soul, met wonderful people, learnt some great new skills.  Most of all, the food was excellent.

Great course, well presented and explained, course leader and hosts were very patient.  Dave