Susan Hagan has trained in Cob building with Ianto Evans at both the Cob Cottage Company in Oregon and more recently in Ireland at The Hollies Eco Teaching Centre.

She has also trained in Strawbale building in the UK and will be a participant on the following Straw Bale build in July/Aug Hotnitsa, near Veliko Turnovo in Bulgaria.  This build is being hosted by Eileen and Allan Sutherland and the workshop is being led by Barbara Jones of Amazon nails.

This summer Barbara Jones of Amazon Nails is leading a straw bale building course in rural Bulgaria.  Barbara is one of the world’s leading strawbale builders and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn strawbale building techniques and skills.  We will be building a small house and eco-centre, which will act as a home and focal point for eco-building in the region.  In subsequent years, we hope to build more strawbale homes on this site, so this is your chance to be in at the start of this exciting development.

The build will take place in Hotnitsa, a small village near Veliko Tarnovo (VT).  VT was the capital of Bulgaria at one time and is built on the steep slopes of the River Yantra.  It’s a lively student town with lots of museums, galleries and restaurants.  The area is rich in history and wildlife, with plenty of quiet trails for walking and cycling.  

You can travel to Hotnitsa using a variety of transport.  Cheap flights to Sofia are available online via EasyJet, WizzAir and Bulgaria Air.  There are regular buses from Sofia to VT, which take approximately 3 hours.  We will meet you in VT, after which it’s a 15 minute journey to Hotnitsa.  If you prefer to use trains then the nearest mainline station is Gorna Orjahovica and we will collect you from there. Two years ago, we cycled here from the UK so can recommend that as an alternative but do allow a couple of months!

There are two price bands: one for camping on site (bring your own tent) and the other for hostel style accommodation.  The price for camping is £295 for the full course, five nights accommodation including three meals per day.  For hostel style accommodation the price is £320.  The cost of flights, buses etc will be in addition to this and should be arranged by participants themselves although we’re happy to advice.  Anyone wanting to stay longer can do so at an additional cost of £14 per person per night (camping) or £19 per person per night (hostel).

Please note that the course will only run if there are 12 participants. If it doesn't recruit we will be building the house ourselves at that time and you are very welcome to come and stay as paying guests and participate in the build but there will be no training.  The cost will be £14 pppn camping & £19 pppn hostel, which includes all meals.

 

To book a place with £50 deposit, ring: 00359 6128240 or email: contact@hotnitsa.com

For more information about our place in Hotnitsa, see www.hotnitsa.com

For more information about Amazon Nails, see www.amazonails.org.uk

Cob Houses in Hotnitsa, Bulgaria

I have purchased a plot of land with an old cob Bakery on it that needs partially dismantling and then repairing. There is also a smaller house that will be a storage shed that is presently being repaired and will be finished this year. Both projects are excellent opportunities to experience all aspects of cob building in a relaxed and beautiful environment.

I am a member of HelpX and accept volunteers via this source.  Please see   http://www.helpx.net  if you wish to register for my posting.

If you are interested in attending a workshop based on this project please initially register your interest by contacting me personally through this website.

For Cob building information on Ianto Evans site please see www.deatech.com/cobcottage 

To contact Su Hagan on either subject please call either 00441252 811369 or 0044(0)7952 986504

In Bulgaria phone numbers are 00359(0)895724164 and  00359 6128263 or email: su.hagan@hotmail.co.uk