Photo log of cob training in Tiverton 20th June

A cob pizza oven and a cob bench were made for the cob workshop in Tiverton

on 20th June.

A base was made for the workshop prior to the

day. This was made by a member of staff and

maintenance operations students.

A platform of three sides of 9” block work, 2.5

blocks x 2.5 blocks and 10 courses high (on their

flat) was built. Then the outside was rendered.

The block work was topped with some concrete

lintels 900 x 140 x 100 and shuttered up, and

about 3” and screed/concrete on top and a polished

finish added.

Brick arch was built for cob oven entrance.

Cob was mixed with straw, sand and

water and stamped down to mix

thoroughly.

The cob mix was rolled in the tarpaulin

First layer of cob being laid on the

plinth for the bench.

First layer being tamped down by foot.

The edges of the cob are being

pared with a paring tool to neaten

edges and give shape.

It was decided to wrap the cob

around the wooden supports and to

add drinks holders. This was to

demonstrate the versatility of the

cob. The shape of the drink holder

was prepared separately and then

the sides were scored to create a key

so it would stay in place.

A drink holder being fixed to the

arm rests of the bench.

Water was added to the bench

surface and shaped and

smoothed by hand to give the

cob a smooth even finish.

The finished bench.

The pizza oven was started by building a

base of bricks and stones covered with

wet sand to make the mould for the

oven.

The sand mould was then

covered in layers of cob by hand

and patted down firmly, and

smoothed.

A flue for the chimney was

added by using a discarded

piece of flue which was lying

around after some building

work. This was used to create

the shape needed. It was then

removed, leaving the vent hole

in place.

The completed oven.