Derbyshire branch novice and improvers courses take place in most weather conditions. However, if snow or severe frost is forecast please phone the training co-ordinator or instructor to check.

Level: Novice and Improvers Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm Cost: £80 per person per two day course

• Ample parking at all sites
• Toilet facilities are available near the walling site
• First Aid equipment is kept by instructors
• Derbyshire DSWA training courses have public liability insurance to cover course members
• Tools, pins and lines provided

During a dry stone walling training course you will:

• Be taught by accredited DSWA Instructors
• Learn the basic principals of dry stone walling
• Increase your understanding of the need to conserve dry stone walls
• Enjoy working in the countryside alongside others with similar interests

Derbyshire DSWA offers structured tuition in an informal atmosphere. At the beginning of the course you will meet your instructor at an introductory welcome and briefing. The course teaches the basic principals of dry stone walling, which will involve taking down (stripping out) a derelict or damaged section of wall and rebuilding it to DSWA standards. You can work at your own pace and are not under pressure.

The courses are open to anyone from 13 to 80+, provided they are reasonable fit and well. Serious injuries in walling are rare, but care is needed when handling and working with stone to avoid back, hand, foot and eye injuries. Your instructor will give safety instruction and guidance.

• Packed lunch, snacks and hot/cold drinks
• Hat and sun block (if hot weather)
• Durable clothing
• Waterproofs
• A pair of strong protective gloves
• A pair of safety glasses
• Strong boots or suitable footwear, preferably with toecaps

Mulino Lodge is on Agnes Meadow Lane, Kniveton. Look out for the DSWA signs at the turn off Kniveton Lane. Postcode is DE6 1JR. The stone here is Limestone.

Brundcliffe Farm is near Hartington. It is on the east side of the A515, just south of the turn to Hartington. Look out for the DSWA sign. Postcode is SK17 0BA. The stone here is Limestone.

Biggin Hall is in the village of Biggin-by-Hartington. Take the turn west from the A515, just south of Newhaven. Look out for the DSWA sign. The stone here is Limestone.

Cowley Knoll Farm is in the village of Birchover. Look out for the DSWA sign. Postcode is DE4 2BH. The stone here is Gritstone.

Bushey Heath Farm is on Tideswell Moor. Look out for the DSWA sign. Postcode is SK17 8JE. The stone here is Limestone. http://busheyheathfarm.com/

All of our instructors are working wallers, certified by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and with decades of experience. They are also all qualified instructors and have been taking these courses for many years. Apart from Mulino Lodge which is new for 2012, all of our sites have been used previously and hundreds of people have enjoyed their time there. Our sites are 'real' walling environments where your work will remain and contribute to the landscape for many years to come, not just be re-built by the next course.

Adrian Walker 07854 795357 www.walkerwalling.co.uk

Trevor Wragg 07702 925309

Edd Smith 07941 624075 www.eddsmithwaller.co.uk

Ed Scrivener 07967 739734