Teaching new students some old trade skills

'Those skills are a big part of our heritage and our history'

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Caption: Tristan Campbell learns the art of being a blacksmith. (Stephanie Kelly/CBC)

Keeping the tradition of old trades alive is the intent of a new project in Summerside, P.E.I.
Wyatt Heritage Properties Inc. has organized workshops that are being held a few times a week.

Image | old trade skills

Caption: Lori Ellis and Gordon Jenkins look at the old wood turning lathe. (Stephanie Kelly/CBC)

Interested students get to try their hand at old trades such as blacksmithing and wood turning.
"Those skills are a big part of our heritage and our history...and I think there's a resurgence certainly in some of it in terms of blacksmithing," said board member, Lori Ellis.

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Caption: Blacksmith is one of the old trades that can be learned at a new program in Summerside. (Stephanie Kelly/CBC)

"You know, you see a lot of contemporary programming on TV these days done, you know in the world of blacksmithing, so it's an opportune time to put some classes together and try and instill a new passion."
There are 16 students taking part in the program.
Ellis said the workshops will last a few more weeks.

Image | woodturning

Caption: A number of items made on the woodturning lathe sit on the pile of wood ready for turning. (Stephanie Kelly/CBC)