School for handy skills

Summer school co-ordinator Phill Kay. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
Summer school co-ordinator Phill Kay. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
Nearly 70 courses are being offered at Transition Oamaru and Waitaki District's 2015 Sustainable Skills Summer School, to be held throughout the district from January 24 to February 8.

The first summer school was held in 2011, as the group recognised the wealth of artisans, crafts people and permaculture enthusiasts in the district.

They decided to focus on the fostering and continuation of these skills.

This year's courses include riding electric bikes, time banking, renewable energy, illusion knitting, making pallet furniture, keeping a cow, street photography, worm farming, bookbinding, arranging a funeral, cost-effective organics and making your own food and wine.

The number of courses had doubled since 2014, co-ordinator Phill Kay said.

The emphasis was on self reliance and sustainability and anyone who registered for a course would come away with skills to improve their life, Mr Kay said.

The ''vast majority'' of course tutors were locals, but a notable visiting tutor was ''world class'' photographer Tony Bridge, who is holding a five-day street photography course.

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