Kerrie's story
Cob
building is a technique that has been used for centuries in many different parts
of the world. Its favour waned in Western societies with the advent of
industrialisation and the increased availability of timber and bricks, however
in third world countries cob has remained a traditional building medium to this
very day. It is only recently that western society has started to re-use the cob
techniques as we become more aware of its low impact on the environment and its
high availability, low cost, ease of use and aesthetic appeal.
On
arrival at The Old Schoolhouse on Sunday evening I was greeted by Jet and
Carole. After getting my gear settled into the bunk style accommodation that was
to be my home for the next week, I was shown to the main schoolroom that would
serve as our meal area come recreation room, where, thanks to Carole’s mum and
daughter, Rene and Simone, the best meals were served, catering for all dietary
persuasions.
Supper
on the first night helped to break the ice as I tried desperately to remember
names and faces. There seemed to be literature on cob building and variety of
other eco-friendly building techniques and earth saving devices on every
available surface. How could I have never heard of cob in more than just
passing?
I
could sense the excitement as others talked of what lay ahead, and felt inspired
by the knowledge of Becky Bee, who had come to turn us into cob junkies. We
stayed up late that first night trading stories and ideas, and making
connections. It was hard to get to sleep with the anticipation of what lay
ahead.
The
week was structured to a certain extent to allow for those yummy meals to be
served on time and to make sure we fitted in all that we needed to know, but
there were always a few stragglers and time to ‘stop and smell the roses’,
making it all seem more like a group of friends doing some fun things together
than a workshop.
Everyone
was a little tentative at the start, not being sure of the quantities and ratio
of the mix, but it didn’t seem long before we all got the hang of it and could
feel with our feet the makings of good cob. This process was aided by the
relaxed approach of Becky Bee, who never criticised our work, but managed to
gives positives at the same time as telling us where we went wrong.
A
strong bond was formed between the group as the days passed and by the week’s
end, it felt as if we had known each other for a long time, but then again,
it’s much easier to get to know people when the only sounds on the building
site are talking, laughing and singing.
As
for the cob building itself, well it didn’t get finished. But enough work was
done to get a good idea of how it will look and how to make cob seats, put in
doors and windows, add fireplace, benches and embellish it to make it
personalised. We embedded a time capsule into the cob so archaeologists will
have something to ponder in time to come—that’s how confident we are of the
staying power of this truly versatile building material.
© Earthwise Women and the author (reproduced here with consent)