An introduction to Captain John’s world at Smugglers Hole, The Courtyard Centre, Dorset…
Complete with Piratey Antics, Jokes, Games, Pictures, YouTube Footage and Workshop Details, you are sure to be Hooked!
Enjoy…
After a long time in the development, Captain John has set sail to build his new hands on education resource in the heart of Verwood.
Smugglers Hole is now located at the Dorset Heavy Horse Centre, where during the term time, John will be running education courses for Schools, Brownies, Cubs, and private individuals by appointment.
Not only that but he is still making traditional craft goods to order from silverware to re-enactment goods, all using period tools.
During the summer holidays it will be open as a hands on museum for you to try your hands at different crafts and skills.
You can find out more or download a brochure by visiting:
www.smugglershole.com
Our temporary education site while the new settlement is being built
WELCOME ABOARD…You have navigated your course well… Now set sail for Education and Adventure with Captain John…
Learning and activities have never been so much fun…
My passion is expanding the inquiring minds of new crew members by involving them in themed sessions, covering Science and History, and bringing the real lives of 18th century Pirates and Sailors to life….
Piratey Reinactment…
So whether it’s Pirates, salty tales, sea shanties, hand made goods, 18th century crafts, nautical goods, exciting demonstrations, in-school visits, workshops or courses that you are intersested in; look no further and set sail for adventure!
The Courtyard Centre for Education and Crafts…
The home of Smugglers Cove…
Deep in the Dorset countryside lies the Courtyard Centre, my chosen location for making learning activities exciting.
I have created a themed area for Crafts and Education which works alongside and compliments the other onsite crafts.
Smugglers Hole…
Why not visit my Pirate Ship…?
Neptunes Lament and Her cannon…
This is the base for my Demonstrations, 18th Century Crafts, Outdoor Activities and Workshops.
Aboard Neptunes Lament…
Imagine… Neptunes Lament (an ex training schooner), residing in a little piece of the Caribbean, with Exotic Palms and the faint sound of Sea Shanties on the breeze…
Captain John at Smugglers Hole…
From Thursday to Sunday each week, I can be found here with my Treasures and Handmade Wares.
The Captain’s Hand Crafted Wares and Treasures…
This Magical Haven is designed to excite and inspire the minds of all ages.
In The Summer Time…
During the summer months I spend my time telling Salty Tales, listening to Sea Shanties and putting on regular Displays of genuine and Historic Artefacts. (many of which may be handled), As well as giving passers by the opportunity to witness or try their hand at Piratical Skills.
During School Term time, Neptunes Lament itself becomes a fine stage and activity area for would be Pirates and Parents of all ages.
Captain John’s stage (Neptunes Lament)…
As we don’t live in the Tropics however, in the case of inclement weather, be it wet or blustery, I will either raise the Deck Tent on the Pirate Ship, or retreat away from the weather completely, by utilising the Courtyard Centre’s spacious Medieval Themed Hall. Complete with armour, shields and banners it’s just the place to get the creative juices flowing.
There is Free Entry and Parking for the whole centre.
If you would like to show your support, voluntary contributions are always welcome to help fund the extensive Educational Projects at Smugglers Hole.
Click below to view…
YouTube Smugglers Hole video… ( 1.40 mins)……..
A brief introduction to Smugglers Hole…
Sign Aboard
Get ready for Adventure…!
This summer I have included a whole range of Fun activities (which are closely linked to the National Curriculum), for all budding Buccaneers, from Powder Monkey, to the older would be Sea Dog.
I endeavour to keep numbers small, to encourage a Challenge by choice ethos and Encourage Team Skills in a Controlled and Safe Environment.
Everyone can now experience true hands on learning and Fun. New course titles and activities listed below…
Become a member of the crew
A Pirates life…
This offers the opportunity to sign on board as a pirate, learn about the Ships Articles and make your own, learn about the food, the lives and the diseases of the most notorious of sea dogs.
Experience fun 18th Century Pirate Games.
Finally sign aboard, by making your own ink and quill to take home with your letter of the Marque and Ships Articles.
Navigation at sea…
A salty crash course demonstrating the ways in which Buccaneers navigated the vast oceans.
Learn how Pirates navigated and sailed across the Seven Seas and how to use real and replica 18th Century Tools.
The daring Privateers will make a Compass, a Quadrant and their own Log.
It’s Not Just Pirates…!
‘Pirates’ is a theme which I use to link Primary and early Secondary School Curriculum subjects with Historical Crafts and Techniques, covering the eras before the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
Any questions, queries, thoughts or ideas…?
Please feel free to leave your comment below or send me a Personal Message or email at… explosive_education@yahoo.co.uk YouTube Channel… http://uk.youtube.com/SMUGGLERSHOLE
Thinking of popping down to Smugglers Hole or making a booking…?
You can find site location details, other course titles and Booking and Price Information below.
Alternatively, please call… (07905) 757 431
I will be pleased to hear from you…! Remember to mention that you have already visited Captain John here.
How to find Smugglers Hole @ The Courtyard Centre…
The Pirate Ship is located at The Courtyard Centre, Lytchett Minster, just off the B3O67.
The Full Postal Address is… The Pirate Ship, The Courtyard Centre, Huntick Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset, UK, BH16 6BA….
More Courses…
To the Stars – And Beyond
By far the most popular session,..
After a mission briefing the young Pirates will find themselves exploring the nature and limits of materials and forces, then regroup into smaller teams and design, build and test their own Rocket.
After gathering either qualitative or quantitative data, allowing the designs to be revised, the Rockets may be suitable for use in competition against other schools and groups.
Using a simple and safe engine design, the Rockets are capable of speeds reaching 100mph. Participants will gain a real sense of achievement by seeing their data published in the competition table on the internet.
The Observation of Materials and their Properties, Forces, Design Technology and an introduction to Trigonometry and Investigative Procedures, are some of the Academic subjects which are featured in this session Suitable for ages 8-13
Older age groups will enjoy a complete Rocket Design course, which also includes the Centres of Gravity, Centres of Pressure and Momentum and Inertia.
Rocket Fun Day
No holds barred Rocketry…
After being provided with the materials needed to create a Rocket, and being taught some basic design principles, the challenge is to work in small teams to create the craziest Rocket possible.
Before every launch, each Rocket is thoroughly inspected for safety purposes, before the fun can commence. Suitable for all ages
Mission coast guard.
By the Victorian era many Ships carried Rockets which were used for line throwing. With no prior knowledge, an introduction into the properties of Rockets will be given. To conclude the session, the final task is to create a line-throwing rocket. Suitable for ages 13-14.
Charting Treasure Island
Taking Navigation a little further into the realms of learning about maps and charts.
The crew will make and use tools to create surprisingly accurate charts to sail away with.
This session will also cover back bearings, keys, codes and more…
Sea gunner
The challenge is set to become the slickest gun crew on all the seven seas. Using special Actisafe Training Cannons (no explosives required) they will go through a real drill, to allow the safe and controlled use of the Air Cannon for supervised target practice.
Learn the Ropes
Making rope and learning knots is merely the beginning, leading into decorative knot-work and exploring the inner workings of the ropes and rigging onboard a Gaff Rigged Schooner.
Making treasure
Using traditional and natural moulding materials, several Artefacts will be made from personalised designs.
These will be filled with Pewter, by Captain John, to make the finished masterpieces suitable to take away.
The Black Flag flies
Learning the ways in which Pirates attacked, is the next part of the Pirate training. From Ship Tactics to Communications and many of the secret meanings of some of the most notorious Pirate Flags.
The task is to undertake the designing and making of a personalised Pirate Flag.
Shipwrecked
The Sailors arrive to find themselves wrecked on a distant shore, an old hand will teach them how to find water, build shelters and look for food.
The session is made complete with an Archery lesson.
Additional special event courses released throughout the summer. Check here for the news.
Booking Information and Prices
All sessions run for approximately Two Hours…
All sessions include Fun, Educational Projects to make and take home… Group and Multiple Booking Discounts are available (if families wish to book for three or more sessions)… Out of School and School Holiday Discounts are available (sessions are available at only Five Pounds each)…
A minimum of Three Pirates are required for a session to run (if you don’t have three, I will add your details to the register for the next session)…
Group and School Bookings
During School Term Time groups can book any course either to be held on site, or arrange to have Captain John visit Schools within the Dorset area.
All Group and School Bookings come complete with all activity pack materials and link in with current National Curriculum subjects including History, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Design Technology and more.
For Group events you can book Captain John for a day and can pick and mix the sessions to suit your learning needs.
. For more information, please use the contacts below… Email Captain John… explosive_education@yahoo.co.uk
Phone Captain John… (07905) 757 431 YouTube Channel… http://uk.youtube.com/SMUGGLERSHOLE
