Newsletter

Issue 7: December 2005

Dear Reader,

Happy New Year! Greetings to all who have taken, or enquired about, my courses. I hope 2006 will be a prosperous and rewarding year for you.

I have been busy again this year – the best in 24 years self-employment. As you can see from the above, the strain is taking its toll. Ninety-eight students attended twenty courses. In March I will be celebrating ten years of running the School at Redhills. So many people and from such varied walks of life. I learn something new from each one of you and my life is enriched. I enjoy meeting people – for a short while anyway. Please don’t let the picture put you off, I am sure you would benefit from a Course at the Cumbria School of Saddlery.

You keep learning in this trade (until you ‘pop your clogs’) and I learn something every day. If you think you have some difficult project ahead or need to revisit a certain aspect or technique why not try one of the Revision Courses in February or October? On the first of these courses last April there was an immediate appeal for help on sharpening!

Re-flocking is my favourite subject and I have lengthened the Course to four days even though everyone, including me, is flaked out after three.

Please call in anytime you are passing.  It’s only one minute from Junction 40 M6. You may find a biscuit which takes your fancy. Tea always on.

David May

Course dates for 2006

The Lion man's Camera Case

NOTICEBOARD

Fees for 2006
During this year the fees will be as follows:
For each individual 5-day course -  £395.
A £45 discount applies for Combined Courses or any two five-day courses taken in a 12 month period.
The Re-flocking Course is now four days in length and is £295;
The Box & Casework Course and the Revision Course is £235. 
Payment can be made by cash, cheque, Visa or Delta cards. There is a 3% charge on credit cards.

The C.S.S. Forum
The Yahoo Newsgroup is still proving a useful tool for those involved.  A new Forum has been started up by a small group who have been here on courses. It’s a great place to chat about leather, tools, repair problems or look for a diamante browband! Interested? You can get to it by clicking on “CSS Forum” on my website menu. Click on “Register” and follow the guidelines. Look forward to finding you there. The more we use this resource, the better it gets.

Green Apron?
You can become the proud wearer of this cool item of apparel. Dark green with a posh CSS logo in colour. Send a cheque for £18.50 (including p.&p.).

Change of address or email?
Please let me know if your address or email changes or if you would like to be removed from this database.

Cumbria Business Environment Network
In November I qualified for the Silver award which means I have reached a certain standard in environmental practice. Now I am going for the gold which will mean leaving the car at home and cycling in to work!

The Bridlework Measurement Book is available priced at £23.50 inc. p&p.  The pattern book is  (I like to think) a rare collection of diagrams of horse and dog requisites that I have jotted down over 29 years.

Tools for sale
The tools can be found on the website menu. They are very well made and it is good to think we are giving work to local craftsmen.

Sewing Machine
I have always recommended the Singer 45K but as these are now rarer than hens’ teeth we need to look further afield. The Winsew 3300 is a new machine capable of stitching leather and rugs. It has a walking foot and I am told it runs very smoothly and quietly. The firm selling them is M.R.Taylor of Kenilworth, Warwickshire. (01926) 859990. The price is £550 including VAT and Mr. Taylor will deliver it, set it up and show you how it works. One of our students has already purchased and two are considering doing so. If you want to chat about this machine go to the CSS Forum or email me.

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