Orchard Barn Environmental Education Centre

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Orchard Barn Environmental Education Centre

Nature based traditional skills hub. Learning from the past - building a greener future at www.orchardbarn.org.uk. Environmental Education Centre

19/06/2026

Solstice celebration 2-4pm tomorrow 20th June at Orchard Barn, music and the making of cob Dragons Eggs! Come and join us. RSVP

02/06/2026

🐉 Come and Help Us Build an Earth Dragon! 🐉

Join us at Orchard Barn for a (FREE to attend) hands-on community sculpture project as we create a magnificent 12-foot Earth Dragon from cob (clay, sand and straw).

We'll teach you the basics of building with cob while you enjoy:
🌿 A great Green Gym workout
🌿 Creative, muddy fun
🌿 Learning natural building skills
🌿 Working alongside friendly volunteers
🌿 Helping create something magical

Sessions run 10am–1pm: (not 9am-1pm as original post)
📅 Tuesday 16 June
📅 Wednesday 17 June
📅 Thursday 18 June
📅 Friday 19 June

FREE to attend – but please book your place in advance so we know numbers.

The project will culminate in our Summer Solstice Celebration in the Old Orchard:

☀️ Saturday 20 June, 2pm–5pm ☀️

Come and meet the dragon, celebrate the longest days of the year, and enjoy the orchard with friends old and new.

Everyone is welcome, but please let us know you're coming.

No experience needed – just bring enthusiasm and clothes you don't mind getting muddy!

28/05/2026

🦆 Peace Duck at Orchard Barn 🦆

Places are still available for this Saturday’s cob sculpture workshop!

📅 Saturday 30th May
🕙 10am–12pm
📍 Orchard Barn, Ringshall, IP14 2LY

Together we will be creating a Peace Duck from cob.

Yes — we know this would traditionally be a peace dove… but the sculpture base sits beside the spot where Mrs Mallard patiently incubated 12 ducklings earlier this spring. We were all slightly in awe of her calm dedication and peaceful presence, so it seemed only right that this sculpture should become a Peace Duck instead 🌿

The base is almost complete (and if anyone fancies helping finish it, do come along this morning - 9-1 Thursday 28th May!)

Saturday’s session will focus on the sculpting itself, whilst also explore how clay-rich subsoil and straw can be transformed into an incredibly durable, versatile and creative natural building material.

No experience needed — just curiosity and clothes you don’t mind getting muddy in. And plenty of your own drinking water!

Places cost £11.55 and can be booked via Eventbrite (link in comments), or alternatively DM us and pay cash on the day.

🦆 Mud, sculpture, ducks and community building — what more could one want?

27/05/2026

🌿 This Week at Orchard Barn 🌿

A gentle invitation to join us for practical skills, community, creativity and quiet connection with nature here at Orchard Barn.

Whether you fancy learning traditional building skills, helping in the organic garden, making rag rugs, or simply sitting quietly beneath the trees — there is something happening most days.

🌱 WEDNESDAYS

🪵 9am–1pm Volunteer Working Party
Including informal tuition in timber framing.

🌳 2pm–3.30pm Under the Trees
Quiet time in nature for rest, reflection and connection.
Suggested donation £8.

🥬 THURSDAYS

🌿 9am–1pm Organic Gardening for Volunteers

🧶 2pm–4pm Rag Rug Making Group
A relaxed and friendly afternoon of making together.
Suggested donation £6.

🔨 FRIDAYS

🪚 9am–1pm Volunteer Timber Framing Session

🌿 This Friday 29th May | 1.30pm–3pm
Deadwood Screen Construction Course
An informal hands-on session exploring natural building with deadwood materials.
Suggested donation £10.

🦆 SATURDAY 30th MAY | 10am–12pm

✨ Peace Duck — Cob Sculpture Workshop ✨

Come and help create a beautiful cob sculpture together.

Places available @ £11.55 via Eventbrite - link in comments

As always, Orchard Barn is a place of shared learning, muddy boots, tea breaks, practical creativity and gentle community. New people very welcome.

Please message for details or directions 🌿
(We are delighted that the volunteer training is currently funded by Mid Suffolk District Council)

17/05/2026

Come and join Emmie for a morning of traditional making at Orchard Barn!

Using natural materials and simple heritage techniques, we’ll be creating beautiful wattle and daub bird boxes together — perfect for gardens, hedges or quiet corners where birds might like to nest. 🐦

🪵 Wattle & Daub Bird Box Workshop
📅 Saturday 23rd May
🕙 10am – 12pm
📍 Orchard Barn, Ringshall

Family friendly • hands-on • creative • nature connected

And yes — you’ll take your bird box home with you afterwards!

Spaces are limited, so please DM to book. 🌱

12/05/2026

Mallet Making this Saturday 16th May at Orchard Barn 🌿

Drop in anytime between 11am–3pm and make yourself a handy wooden mallet using simple hand tools:
🪵 saw
🪓 axe
🔪 knife
🔨 and of course… a mallet!

We’ll be using homegrown wood in our greenwood area and sharing some wonderfully satisfying traditional skills along the way.

Suggested donation: £8–10

Please let us know if you’re hoping to come along — it really helps us prepare materials and tools.

A lovely practical way to spend a Saturday under the trees.

06/05/2026

Rag rug making - weekly 2-4 Thursdays in our new Education Room in the reinstated Long House. Starting 14th May. We will have hessian for a starter piece, fabric and hooking needles. Bring fabric and/or wool if you have any. Basic instructions given to get you started. Suggested donation £6. Here are a couple to give you some ideas of what you might make, and an image of the venue. Please book yourself a place by messaging us.

23/04/2026

Beltane Sound Wave with Louise Carpenter. Come and join us - 3.30 pm Friday 1st May - we're celebrating the greening of spring, the fertility of the earth and potency of the life-force bringing new beginnings.
The quest of the Sound Wave is to find out what is needed? What wishes to come into being?
Weaving a stream of possibility with lovingly handcrafted instruments and voice, Louise works intuitively with the place and all life present. What wants to happen at Orchard Barn? practically, and for well-being for all and aligned evolution.
This is a time to leave behind what no longer serves, honour relationships and listen deeply.
Come along, enjoy the sounds, relax and receive and see what arises.
Practical matters: you can sit or lie down (space permitting); bring warm layers, cushions, blankets.
This event is offered by donation. PLEASE BOOK YOUR PLACE AS SPACE IS LIMITED.

20/04/2026

A hands-on, family-friendly workshop where participants build a bug hotel and learn how to support local wildlife.

Join us for Nature Lab: Create a Bug Hotel, Family Workshop

Get hands-on with nature at Orchard Barn in this fun, family-friendly workshop!

Join us on a mini beast safari around the orchard and learn about the important role that insects play in our ecosystem, and then make and take home your own bug hotel to support local wildlife. Perfect for curious kids and grown-ups alike.
Please book your place via Eventbrite just £11.55 for one adult and one child. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nature-lab-create-a-bug-hotel-family-workshop-tickets-1986101699648

Address

Orchard Barn, Bildeston Road

IP14 2LY

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10:00 - 16:00
Thursday	10:00 - 16:00
Friday	10:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+447766054042

Website

http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/

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