‘The Gathering’ at Clayfest 2025: Hands-on Practicals
The Gathering will be full of hands-on workshops, demos, shared meals, and meaningful conversations, including follow-up those perspectives opened during the Conference. It’s where we learn by doing, build together, and explore the many sides of natural construction.
The main activities will take place on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday will be a more relaxed, reflective day to wrap up discussions, continue the community project for those who want, and celebrate our collective achievements, preparing to depart and continue collaborating for the rest of the year.
Within The Gathering:
Workshops – Learn practical skills from experienced builders and craftspeople.
The Community Project – A collaborative piece that will stay as a lasting symbol of our time together
The Discovery Stage – Space for participants to bring your own project, idea, or challenge
The Exchange Stage – Join and bring thematic discussions and connect around shared interests.
Full Event Tickets include The Gathering
Your Full Event Ticket and The Gathering Ticket include camping.
We will offer a space to camp, some spaces for campervans, showers and compost toilets.
Standard Admission and Concession* tickets on general sale NOW! … and selling fast!
NEW! Already have your ticket to attend ‘The Gathering’? Save hassle, buy a food ticket for £39 BEFORE 31st AUGUST* for
Lunch on Friday and Saturday
Dinner on Friday
(* For caterers’ planning)
…and be in the draw to win an EBUKI hoodie!
The Community Project
A collaborative structure that we’ll design and build together on site – something that stays behind and marks our gathering.
Check back here as the exciting Community Project emerges..!
This year, we’re trying something new: everyone running a workshop is also a participant. These brilliant, skilled people will be sharing their expertise and energy to shape a part of Clayfest while also joining in the experience like the rest of us. It's about co-creation and everyone giving to the development of earth building and the collaboration network.
Workshops will include (in no particular order):
Is it Clay?: Testing Foraged Soils
Join us for a relaxed workshop where you’ll learn to identify clay-rich subsoils and how to work with them into your own earth-building recipes. Together, we’ll explore simple, interactive tests to uncover the secrets of your soil and learn to celebrate your soil’s gifts—and tackle its challenges—with curiosity and know-how. There will be a variety of subsoil samples to explore or bring your own!
Total Beginners – no prior experience, Early Learners - know the basics
Explain the difference between clay, silt, sand, topsoil, subsoil
Cover different clay tests like sausage, disc, hand wash, etc. NOT jar test
Teach techniques to test own recipes for cob, light earth, plaster such as trying out different ratios
Goal is to have fun and feel empowered and connected to each other, talk about upcoming projects
Iza Thomson
In 2024, they relocated to the British Isles to study a Master’s in Sustainable Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology. Since working in the UK, they have realised that Aotearoa’s smaller building industry had been a blessing in disguise. Because there wasn’t the luxury of buying affordable bagged clay, you had to source and test subsoils yourself. This workshop will teach others to do the same.
Iza Thomson is an earth-builder, designer, and artist who is passionate about making natural materials more accessible for the greater well-being of Mother Earth and the many beings she sustains. After completing their Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Aoteaora (New Zealand), Iza spent four years travelling the country to engage with real building projects and fell in love with the mud.
Repurposing waste and earth / trash to treasure
Humans have created an excess of unused resources or waste, which does need to be addressed at source. Even when there are better solutions and it stops piling up, there’s a lot to use up. This workshop supports creativity and action on landfill materials.
Total Beginners – no prior experience, Early Learners - know the basics, Practitioners – competent, basic tool skills, Intermediate practitioners - comfortable with tools, want to extend knowledge, Skilled pratitioners - comfortable with tools, want to extend knowledge, + additional: skilled practitioner in conventional construction, Long Experienced Practitioners - long experience in trades, want to skill up
We will explore alternative foundations, building with tyres, construct wall sections using a cob mortar with ecobricks and glass bottles and discuss roofing methods.
Lizzie Wynn - Incredible Edible Porthmadog
Current PhD research: Waste as a construction material; reuse of single-use plastic and tyres, with earth. Workshop leader/visiting lecturer at the Centre for Alternative Technology. MSc Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment. Award winning waste material structure at Incredible Edible Porthmadog, North Wales
Making Natural & Traditional Paints
We will get to the basics of paint making, be it for arts, houses or crafts. From making pure colours from minerals to what paint medium / recipe to use on specific materials. Extracting pigment from local/foraged minerals, looking at various binders and paints recipes, and making casein paint / tempera paint / linseed oil or Scandinavian flour paint
Total Beginners – no prior experience, Absolutely anyone is welcome!
We will go through the basics of paint making, be it for arts, houses or crafts. Extracting pigment from local/foraged minerals, looking at various binders and paints recipes depending on what the surface to be painted is... We will focus on making making casein paints from milk, simple tempera paint, linseed oil or Scandinavian flour paint, and have a look at using clay for paints or wall finishes.
The aim is for everyone to understand how the majority of modern paints are plastic and fossil-fuels based, and harmful to the environment, human health AND buildings... Though we hear very little about it. Making your own paints is simple, efficient, beautiful, cheap fun and safe - once you know where to start, there's no end to the variety of finishes you can make!
Caroline Nicolay - Pario Gallico
The more historical, the better. She works on showing how archaeology can inspire more sustainable practices in crafts and construction.
From an archaeology background, Caroline has dived into historical and traditional paints, then wall construction, floors, roofing... Now an eclectic mix of vernacular building techniques, from reed thatching and turf walling, to chalk and cheese floors!
Listen to Caroline talking with Jeffrey Hart on his podcast!
Additives for Clay Plasters
A collaborative workshop where clay plasterers discuss and experiment with additives in plasters.
Practitioners – competent, basic tool skills, Intermediate practitioners - comfortable with tools, want to extend knowledge, Skilled pratitioners - comfortable with tools, want to extend knowledge, Long Experienced Practitioners - long experience in trades, want to skill up
The goal is to pool knowledge of additives and additional materials to improve functionality, robustness, workability and aesthetic of clay plasters. We will look at the varying additives used traditionally and in modern clay plasters. Discuss their uses and reasoning for using in plasters. Experiment with making some mixes, apply and discuss. Observe over the weekend and touch back in about findings.
Simon Lovatt - Calch a Chlai Cymru
Calch a Chlai has been running since 2022 and have completed a number of projects nationwide but primarily based in the Bristol and Ceredigion areas (as seen on my socials and website.)
Calch a Chlai Cymru is a specialist Lime and Clay plastering company run by Simon Lovatt. Simon is a natural plasterer for 6years.
Intro to Earthen Floors
This hands-on, 3-hour workshop introduces the fundamentals of earthen flooring, covering practical techniques and key advice for laying your own natural floor. Ideal for beginners, you'll gain the skills and confidence to start your own project using sustainable materials.
Total Beginners – no prior experience, Early Learners - know the basics, Practitioners – competent, basic tool skills, Intermediate practitioners - comfortable with tools, want to extend knowledge, + additional: skilled practitioner in conventional construction.
This practical workshop is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in creating their own earthen floor. Over the course of three hours, you’ll learn the essential techniques for mixing and laying an earthen floor using natural, sustainable materials. We'll cover the tools you'll need, how to prepare your subfloor, and how to build up the layers to create a durable and beautiful finish.
Through demonstrations and hands-on experience, you'll gain an understanding of the materials involved—clay, sand, and fibre—and how they work together to form a solid, breathable surface. We’ll also discuss common challenges and offer practical tips to help ensure success in your own project, whether you’re flooring a single room or a whole house.
Jeffrey Hart - The Earthen Floor Company
Jeffrey says, “I've been laying earthen floors for 15 years. Clay, timber and natural fibre are my speciality.... But, would describe myself as a general natural builder. I host the Building Sustainability Podcast to keep me always learning.”
Beginners clay plaster workshop
I will talk about the characteristics of earth or clay, the importance of sands, fibers, and additives.
We'll also cover the role of water and the proportions of all the ingredients in the mix.
We will apply a fiber-reinforced base coat with additives, followed by two finishing coats.
Each layer will be smoothed. Participants will learn how to handle and use the tools correctly.
Syrka Helmdach - Okambuva Coop - @Syrka_Tierra_de_Colores
With 20 years of experience, Syrka works in Spain as a craftsman plasterer, interior designer, and educator, specializing in natural lime and clay plasters. Syrka is a co-founder of the cooperative Okambuva, where she continues to develop her work. Through this project, she has carried out numerous ecological construction and renovation projects, and she regularly leads workshops and trainings to share her knowledge about natural materials and sustainable building techniques.
Exploring sculpture in cob and plaster
Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with cob and plaster freely and with guidance. Relief, found objects, modelling, carving are some of the techniques we will explore. We will be exploring mark making with various tools including our fingers as well as learning about building on simple forms. The importance of ratios in mixes will also be touched on. People will be encouraged to come with found objects and small scale ideas to realise in the workshop.
Jue Sota
Jue is an artist, craftsperson and builder from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, living in the UK since 2007 and currently based in South Devon and West Sussex. “Been doing natural building since 2011 and sympathetically repairing ancient buildings since 2020. Currently working on repairing a slightly younger than medieval cob extension in South Devon. Im fascinated by materials and processes (especially old ones) of all sorts… experimenting is my thing, getting muddy is my thing. I’m delightfully feral and all my workshops are safe spaces, fascist free and autism/ ADHD/ Neurodivergent friendly. “
Japanese plastering
Japanese Plastering workshop is held by Riikka from Rouhis Oy (Finland) in collaboration with William Stanwix (UK) and Kyle Holzhueter (Japan).
The goal is to get Japanese plastering tools and basic plastering techniques known, so that natural plasterers would have more tools to play with and understanding of more fiborous plasters and how to apply them with traditional japanese trowels. Some of the tools can be ordered beforehand so you could have your own tools to practice with, or bought from William Stanwix during Clayfest.
Riikka will explain the differences with the trowels and tools that are handmade in Japan. There is going to be chance to try out very fiborous clay plaster mixture with the tools and during the event there will be a possibility to buy a collection of tools from William Stanwix.
After the event Japanese plastering tools can be bought from William Stanwix website: https://www.clay-wall.co.uk/
More about Kyle Holzhueter: https://japaneseplastering.com/aboutus
Riikka Mäkelä / Rouhis Oy
Riikka is an experienced natural plasterer and builder. She is a respected instructor from Finland who combines traditional techniques with the demands of modern construction. She has extensive expertise in clay and lime plasters, clay floors, and surface treatments, and she knows how to guide both beginners and professionals in a clear and inspiring way. Lately her passion has been in japanese traditional plastering techniques which she is eager to share to others even not a master in it yet.
Building a Cobbague wall
Hands-on learning how to make a cobbauge wall. Understanding the technique, discussing its pros and cons and practicing.
Glen McDonald - Global Generation
Glen is a building, plasterer and earth specialist. Glen kicked off his love of using earth and natural materials in Australia 1986. From then he has worked across the world including, Spain, Australia and Bulgaria honing his craft. Glen has worked with Global Generation for the last 10 years working on community build projects including the skip garden, championing the cordwood wall build at the Paper Garden and most recently building Global Generation’s CobBauge wall at The Triangle Site.
Fire & Earth
A short introduction to the materials which will include sourcing, selecting & mixing suitable materials.
Step by step process to construct the different layers of the oven.
Demonstration of firing and cooking in a cob oven (the following day).
Discuss the theory of how a rocket stove works.
Why cob works well for stoves/heaters.
Demonstration of firing up an existing cob rocket stove.
Alan Cameron-Duff - The Roundhouse Company
The Roundhouse Company, based in Runcorn, Cheshire, was founded by husband-and-wife team, Annabel and Alan Cameron-Duff.
Alan is a designer and natural builder with over 20 years experience of building with a variety of natural materials.
"Working with earth, timber and stone is always a humbling, joyful and meditative process and has provided me with a vehicle to bring together the creative, spiritual and practical elements of my life".
From outdoor classrooms and bird hides to art studios and guest accommodation, Alan has co-created a variety of innovative buildings with spirit; grown from nature, using the materials from the ground beneath our feet. Inspired by the cyclical rhythms of nature, he has been involved in making meaningful spaces that engage the mind, body and soul.
Tickets
Full Event Tickets include The Gathering
Your Full Event Ticket and The Gathering Ticket both include camping.
We will offer a space to camp, some spaces for campervans, showers and compost toilets.
The Elgiva Theatre (‘The Conference’) is not accessible with Gathering Only tickets
Gathering Only Tickets are SOLD OUT! Get your Full Event ticket to make sure you don’t miss out!
Arrivals
Full Event - Wednesday: 2pm - 8pm
The Gathering Only - Thursday: 6pm - 9pm
*PLEASE NOTE: There are a limited number of Concession tickets and eligibility requires specific criteria to be met. Proof of eligibility is required. See ticket links for details.