Volunteer Opportunities
To assist teaching of Iron Age and Celtic metal forming and repoussé work during the summer months around England. This is a Work Experience placement for archaeology students and practical, creative and artistic people. No experience is necessary as training will be given.
Events and Festival Dates & Locations 2024
INTO THE WILD SUMMER FESTIVAL.
Location: Chiddinglye Estate (near Forest Row), West Hoathly, West Sussex, RH19 4QS
Roles available: Event Crew >>> (Ideally 6 X 4 hour shifts in exchange for 1 X ticket to Into the
Wild festival + 3 meals per work day)
Dates: Arrive: PM 20th August, - Latest AM on 21st August
Leave: PM - 26th August
*Note lower down you will see additional dates for the build and break!
Copper workshop assistants
- Finishing touches to the set up of our camp/ forge
- Set up/ pack down teaching space each day
- Team training run through of teaching
- Teach children and adults copper craft including handling payments.
Front of house
- Talking to the public about & promoting our exciting work
- Showing people available workshops
- Taking sign ups and bookings for courses and camps, including handling payments.
Chef and assistant - £50 payment each
- Plan menu and shopping list
- To cook 2 meals a day during setup (1 day before event) and during event
- Fire maintenance and management
- Washing up
Build, pack down and rebuild >>> (Ideally 3 X 5 hour shifts in exchange for 1 X ticket to Into the Wild festival. Meals not provided - unless you work overtime.)
Build dates: 17th - 19th August | Break/ Pack down and rebuild dates: 27th - 29th August (We will ask you for a deposit - just for the break crew)
- Load and unloading and assisting in assembling of large A frame viking longhouse style
structure + Dis-assembling, moving and re-assembling in another location (onsite) after the
festival
- (Applicants need to be reasonably physically able to do this role as it involves lifting and
carrying. It is a creative & fun job!)
- There will be a camp fire and access to kitchen equipment for your meals. You will be camping
in the general crew camping field.
Copper craft teaching applicants
Must be committed, physically fit and able with a patient, calm, helpful and friendly nature. The Archaeology student must have a strong interest in Iron Age / Celtic culture and crafts, be practical and have some artistic or creative ability.
Volunteering with OakClan Forge
Simon Summers began teaching the ancient crafts of the Iron Age Smith 15 years ago and then went on to form OakClan Forge. The forge is a portable period repoussé workshop that travels around the country and is set up within the craft field areas of events and festivals. Our workshops teach the ancient skills of the La Tène culture using Celtic artwork fashioned in copper, bronze, silver, gold and iron metals.
As a volunteer you will be part of a teaching crew of between 4-8 depending on the size of the event. You will be trained in basic techniques by Simon to then go on and assist in workshops.
Your Role as a Volunteer
You will assist in building and disassembly of a portable structure that reflects the culture and period. You will help set-up and pack-down the forge workshop and make camp ready for the event. All volunteers will come together and create a shift rota working a 4 hour day. In exchange you are given a ticket into the main event. The shifts are split over the day from 10am – 5 or 6pm so you get plenty of time out in the festival to enjoy it, or when off shift you can work on your own project in Celtic metalwork. Simon will help and guide you when he has time once the festival is up and running. You will no doubt make new friends with the other crew members as we are all earthy craft makers!
Once OakClan is set up and ready you will take part in an induction into how we operate, followed by training in basic Iron Age metal forming, chasing and repoussé works in copper. During this time you will make your own items to take home with you. Thereafter during the event you will go on to teach basic skills of a Celtic Smith, in cold metal works, to the public, supported by Simon.
When on shift you will be expected to make ready the workshop space and assist in engaging with the public about what we do, and teach the basic skills you have learnt. When off shift you are free to do as you please at your own leisure in the event however if you prefer to work on your own project within the forge, you are most welcome. There is therefore the potential to learn more advanced skills during the event if time permits.
Meals
Three meals are provided each day during the event and during set up and pack down. Please note that if you need any special dietary foods, it is advisable to bring them with you as it is difficult for us to cater for some special diets while travelling on the road. We will have a chef cooking our meals on the hearth in the forge. There will also be a selection of teas always available.
