FEI PARTNERSHIP FUND PROJECT REPORT

FEIPF Project code: 2012/304:Sc12:F

Project Summary

This was one of three mini-projects comprising the Tayside FEI Cluster Group ‘Building Capacity’ submission. The purpose was to build capacity/skillswithin the Cluster Group. Also, to create a resource,that can be used by group members for events and/or teambuilding activities; or to inspire people to build their own.

A series of 3 days training was offered, during which the materials for a finished dome were created – from trees to poles, and the third day, as part of the Open Action event enabled practice in constructing and taking down the dome framework, and allowed community participation – public, teachers, families etc. This raised awareness of the purpose and power of geodesic domes as shelters/ spaces, as well as benefits in working with the local FEI Cluster Group.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Title

/ Building Capacity for the future – Part 2
Building a Geodesic Dome

Key words

/ Geodesic, Dome, Teambuilding, Woodworking skills

Project start & finish dates

/ August 2012 – October 2012 – cascading in progress

Project location/s

/ 2 days – Community Treecycle Woodyard, Alyth
1 day – FCS Kinnoull Hill Big Shed, Perth
Lead organiser/ organisation / Lynnette Borradaile, Tayside FEI Cluster Group
Other people/ organisations involved (non-funding) / Community TreeCycle – Clive Bowman
Domeworks – Paul Henry
Tayside FEI Cluster Group members
Wolf Glen Tipis – Johnny Morris
Other useful contacts/links / Forestry Commission – Forest District staff

PROJECT FUNDING

Project Funding

/ TOTAL INCOME: £4,956.00 (between 3 projects)
grants: £4,956.00
raised/ donations: none
in kind: larch poles (FCS)
SHARE TOTAL – Estimated £2348
Real spend £2515
Key funding partners/sources / FEI Partnership Fund
Contract partners (if any) / Domeworks, Paul Henry
Wolf Glen Tipis, Johnny Morris

Expenditure profile

/ TOTAL EXPENDITURE: £2,515.23
Admin/Tuition Fees & travel expenses £1,596.55
Materials (incl canvas cover [£800]) £918.68
£2,515.23

PROJECT OUTLINE

Target audience/s

/
  • Tayside FEI Cluster Group (TCG) members – expected 12, actual 7 for 2 days (3 dropped out on the day); 3 for 1 day (4 dropped out );
  • Public – expected - a few; actual 1 TCG member and 2 leaders heavily involved; 3TCG members, xx adults, aa children/young people observing/taking part

Purpose of project /
  • Build capacity within group to build and use Geodesic Domes – from living tree to dome; for events or activities promoting FEI/forest education.
  • Create a mobile resource for TCG members to use
  • Act as a focus for TCG members to come together on a joint project – doing something together, and producing something useful.
  • Encourage new activity within the group.

Detail of activities /
  • Background to Geodesic Domes – history and uses; look at structure
  • Choice of wood, selection of stems on site, felling, branch stripping of ‘poles’. Loading/unloading trailer.
  • Choice of tools, safe use of tools, care of tools
  • Organisation/storage of poles
  • Woodworking skills – using shave horse, drawknife, billhook, bow saw, pruning/pull saw.
  • Sourcing alkathene pipe and positioning & number/drilling holes
  • Positioning/drilling holes for split pins.
  • Stages in construction
  • Organisation for purposes of team building exercise
  • Covers – alternatives and effects

Outputs /
  • Materials to make a 16 foot diameter dome:
  • 65 dome poles (short and long) plus 6 spares
  • 26 alkathene rings with 4,5 or 6 holes
  • 100+ stainless steel split pins
  • 1 canvas cover for a 16’ diameter dome
  • 7 group members trained
  • At least 19 from public (including children , adults & leaders) at Open Action event with ‘hands on’ experience - putting up/taking down/being in a covered dome; other passers by.

Resources produced /
  • A mobile shelter and a resource – parts for a 16 foot diameter geodesic dome with canvas cover.
  • 2 illustrated DIY guides on creating materials and building a geodesic dome for use by FEI members across Scotland.

Outcomes /
  • 7 TCG members more competent in using tools, skills and with capacity to create/ build own geodesic dome in the future; or use the group’s dome for events.
  • TCG members more familiar with each others skills and potential in using domes, and improved potential for future partnership working.
  • Members of the public introduced to domes, and the work of TCG – gained 3 new members through their interest in woodworking skills and building a dome.
  • Capacity to cascade skills to other members of the TCG – focus for a future meeting.

Evaluation / Mainly anecdotal, and using pre – and post-course evaluation forms – completed by participants and trainer, before and after event.
4 returns – key points:
  • People are more confident in using/demonstrating use of tools and techniques.
  • People are more confident in how to use the dome.
  • 2 people are keen to construct their own.
  • Everyone is keen to see the Cg make use of the dome now available.
  • 2 people are happy to organise a CG gathering to demonstrate/practice constructing & taking down the dome and putting on & off the cover.
  • Suggestion for an annual gathering to maintain dome materials.
  • Locations for storing – Inver, Alyth, Kindrogan seem most favoured.

Key actions /
  • Identifying a facilitator and a suitable site
  • Ensuring availability to necessary tools, shave horses and timber source.
  • Information to participants beforehand ensuring all understand purpose of project.
  • Ensuring a site where the resource can be stored, maintained and use monitored.

Advice to others /
  • Ensure access to tools – sharp saws, drawknives and billhooks; shave horses.
  • Better to harvest poles in autumn or early spring, when sap not rising.
  • Think carefully about choice of cover – look at e bay for parachutes, choose a high quality canvas cover maker locally in Scotland.
  • Charge those who don’t turn up for all free sessions for any good reason – public money.
  • Keep numbers to 6-8 if only one facilitator.

RESOURCES

Image Library

/ Yes – images taken on all 3 days
Media Library / N/A
Press Library / For Open Action Day as a whole

Project Report

/ Yes

Please return this form to your national FEI co-ordinator by email, or visit , for contact details.

Please also send a copy to the FEI Partnership Fund manager – Rachel Lucas - )

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