Links
Visit the Turners Cabin website

Arnold Squire's birdhouse, modelled on a local church, and held together with No-SqueakTo demonstrate its wider uses Norbord have enigmatically found a maker of birdhouses. Arnold Squire is an engineer by trade, and had begun making birdhouses from a neighbour's leftover cedar when he discovered No-Squeak. "It all started when one of my neighbours showed me an old birdhouse that he no longer wanted. I thought, 'I could make that better myself.' Another neighbour was tearing down his cedar conservatory, which is ideal for birdhouses as it weathers well." He uses No-Squeak because it is waterproof and gap filling so that it can cope with movement. Norbord say that it stays flexible once cured, and will not crack.

Arnold now creates more challenging birdhouses, most recently modelled on his local church, St Mary's in Broomfield, where his daughter was married. "I have also branched out," explains Arnold, "and am making houses for insects and mammals, such as ladybirds and bats, still using No-Squeak."

Links
To find stockists of Norbord's No-Squeak visit norboard.com



The development of independent schools like this, offering something between fine furniture and on site joinery is an exciting prospect. We have been saying for a long time that City & Guilds should be looking to amalgamate Joinery with Fine Furniture, rather than with Carpentry, as is currently the case. But the sort of courses The School of Woodwork can offer mean that there are even more flexible options for aspiring woodworkers, or people who just want to do something practical from time to time, and don't have a full-time workshop.

We hope to visit The School of Woodwork as soon as possible, and then be able to comment about what they are doing here and in the magazine. Earlier this year we helped with a academic study into the provision of local practical courses, like night school but more flexible, in London. A key issue was location, whether that is close to home or close to work. Timing was also critical for courses, and making full use of the premises all day for maximum return. Meeting Greg Miller from Australia recently, it was interesting to learn how successful his party days are, where a group of women or men (so far more often women) make something to celebrate a birthday. Parties are also very successful for woodland enterprises, with groups of children spending a few hours in the woods.

Links
The School of Woodwork
Greg Miller's Joy of Wood blog

Visit The Hot Spot to find out more, at www.hotspot.co.uk or call 01889 565411.