Follow on U-Tube the brickmaking and the architecture of the Dor Kemmyn building

Luda Smith has very kindly assembled these two videos of Matt Robinson, Dor Kemmyn’s Architect, telling us all about the architecture of the building, followed up with Matt describing step by step how to make the bricks.

Video 1 – Dor Kemmyn – Model of the Building

Click here:  https://youtu.be/02EWhm5ljZk

 

Video 2 – Brickmaking Project in Cornwall

Click here:  https://youtu.be/qIqsA7q3rZU

The steps are:

1. Find the right subsoil
2. Sieving the subsoil
3. Mix the subsoil with water and straw
4. Making a dough ball
5. Throw the dough ball into a brick mould
6. Remove the mould carefully

Place the brick and board on one side …. and then let them dry out for 2 weeks

If you would like to have a go at brickmaking see our page of brickmaking session dates https://dorkemmyn.org.uk/future-cob-brick-building-dates-may-june-2015/ or contact Matt [email protected] Tel: 01326 221130.

See how the cob bricks are made

Here’s the opportunity to see how we make our cob bricks together.  BBC Spotlight visited our site and very kindly allowed us to use their video.

The process starts with initially sieving the soil of the land taking out the large stones leaving behind the soil and small stones. This is done over the wheelbarrow.
A large plastic sheet is placed on top of plywood (this is called the ‘dancing floor’ you’ll see why shortly!) and onto this is poured the sieved soil and stones.
Next comes the water which we poured in the centre of the soil – much like making cement.

Now the interesting bit, handfuls of damp straw are liberally thrown over the soil and water. The straw now needs to be bedded into the rest of the mixture and dancing floor now takes shape as wellie power is required. Two to three people then stamp in the straw and mix up with the soil and stones. The plastic sheet is then pulled up so that the mixture is turned around. More stamping is required!

From this stage we continue by taking large lumps of the mixture and kneading it rather like making bread. This is then placed onto another board for further kneading.
Now for the brick shape! Each large pile of cob mixture is then thrown into the mould and squashed into the corners. Squashing into the corners of the mould is crucial. There are five bricks in each mould. They are then gently wriggled at each end and come out of the mould. They actually look like bricks and very professional. They are put to one side to rest. These will take approximately 18 months to dry out.

The process is then repeated to make more bricks!

So if you fancy in joining us to make your very own brick, get in touch with Matt and sign up: Email Mat  tel. Matt 01326 221130.

Many thanks to BBC Spotlight.

Completion of the weaving project

Cornwall Faith Forum and the Inspiring Womens Network have been busily finishing off their contribution to the Weaving Women’s Wisdom project by the Touchstone project in Bradford Weaving Women’s Wisdom

The rug will now be part of a travelling exhibition in a yurt with other rugs made in the UK.  We have really enjoyed the weaving and have spent times together sharing stories of women in our lives who have been inspiring and have made an impression on us.  Our design of our woven rug is abstract and comes from conversations whilst weaving of some women and a child coming out of water and reaching up for some fruit in a tree.  There is also a big shimmering sun woven into the design.

We have so enjoyed making the rug that we want to make another, perhaps when we go back into the Autumn with the dark evenings.  If you would like to take part please email [email protected]

We will keep you posted when the travelling yurt is in Cornwall.

Women Weaving Wisdom …. How the project is progressing

Rosey Sanders reports ……… Rita has been busy with the weaving project. She has taken the rug around to 2 children’s centres attached to Truro primary schools, the Inspiring Women’s Network film night as well as the rug being passed around women to work on in their own homes.

A great design has been created. It involves the elements of fire and water, together with a tree bearing fruits with women reaching up to pick them. A variety of materials have been used including wool, netting, ribbon and cut up cotton fabrics. Some of the fabrics have a special attachment to individuals some including pieces of bridesmaids dresses and alike.

The ‘weavers’ together have shared stories about faith, important people in their lives, and just generally sharing time together. The weaving has proved to be a therapeutic time together, taking time getting to know one another and being creative.

It is hoped that the rug will be part of a travelling roadshow with other rugs which will be included in a yurt. Time is short as we have get the rug finished by the end of February. If anyone would like to take part please contact Rita at [email protected]

You can read more about the project which was started in Bradford – Weaving Women’s Wisdom

Dome of Human Kindness

Build your dome and ponder on the way that everything is inter-related and raise funds for the Cornwall Faith Forum too!

“It’s not every day that a piece of art I made more than forty years ago takes on a new lease of life. This however is exactly what has happened for me through being involved in the Faith Forum”, writes Tom Henderson Smith.

“The fact that I’d rediscovered a student art project that has faith themes at its heart during my move from St Just to St Columb in 2013 and wanting to help raise funds for the Dor Kemmyn project recently came together in the creation of a model kit, The Dome of Human Kindness. The original piece was something I made while studying art in Italy in 1972. The wonders of the digital age we now live in mean that I’ve been able to put together this six page kit, now beautifully printed by Monkey Puzzle printers of Porthtowan on 100% recycled locally milled drawing cartridge in an initial edition of 250 copies.

The eighteen triangular mural panels that make up the whole dome, inspired by historic fresco paintings in Tuscany that I had seen while studying there, use interwoven elements from the tales of St Martin and the beggar, the good Samaritan and the prodigal son to explore the way that everything in life is inter-related.

Making up the model can be an intriguing experience of exploring these themes for yourself and all the proceeds from sales of the kit will go towards funding Dor Kemmyn!”

The Dome of Human Kindness kit is now available for £4.95 with a special price of £2.95 each for schools. You can order the kit either from Cornwall Faith Forum [email protected] or from www.hendersonsmith.co.uk . Cheques are to be made payable to the Cornwall Faith Forum.