BORDER
STICK DRESSERS ASSOCIATION
Royal Patron:- HRH The Prince of Wales
Patrons:- The Duke of Northumberland, The Duke of Buccleuch, The Earl of Dalkeith
Viscount Ridley, Lord Joicey
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President Mr. J.A. Creighton Maidens Hall Farm Pigdon MORPETH Northumberland 01670 512638 |
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Secretary:- Mr. W. Laidler 18 Crumstone Court Killingworth NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE12 6SZ 0191 2682224 email:-wilf@wlaidler.freeserve.co.uk |
The Association was founded on the 9th. of May 1951, at a meeting held in the shadow of Cheviot, just on the border of England and Scotland. Its main objective is to provide an organisation to encourage the making of Shepherd's Crooks and Walking Sticks as a personal craft and to give help and advice to its members.
Members are now drawn from all walks of life, not just the rural community, who have taken up the craft as a hobby. The skills required are passed on both at regular evening classes and on a one to one basis. There is also a brief description on the process at www.wlaidler.freeserve.co.uk/webpage
The timber used for the shank is mainly Hazel, but a number of other woods such as Holly, Ash, Blackthorn and Cherry are used. The horns used to make the handles are mainly from rams, but buffalo, goat and cow horns are also utilised. However due to the increasing scarcity of horn, decorative wood such as Burr Elm, Ripple Sycamore and more exotic timbers are being adopted.
Sticks made by some of our members have been presented to various members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries. However the sticks are primarily made to be entered in competitions held at Agricultural Shows throughout the region, and increasingly across the entire U.K. In addition the Association holds an annual competition at which there are now 16 classes and in the region of 250 individual sticks entered, there is invariably a similar number of sticks being displayed by some of the more experienced members.
If you are interested in any aspect of the craft we shall be happy to help you, if you wish to become a member the subscription is £10 for Life Membership, this entitles you to a lapel badge, car sticker and an Annual Newsletter plus a list of local show dates, for further information please contact the secretary.
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I wish to become a member of the BORDER STICK DRESSERS ASSOCIATION
(BSDA)
NAME:-_________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:-______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
POST CODE:-___________________
Please find enclosed Cheque/P.O., Payable to the BSDA, for £10 for Life Membership
SIGNED:-__________________________________________
