Bodger
Image credit : © Copyright Peter Trimming and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
A Bodger is a craftsman, although in modern English the term has come to relate to bad workmanship as in 'bodge', however this may have developed through confusion with 'botch' which is likely to have originated in the late 1400's from bocchen which meant to repair and later by the 1500's meaning to repair clumsily, or to spoil by unskillful work.
However the original bodgers were wood turners from the Chilton forests in Buckinghamshire. The bodgers set up temporary workshops in woodlands, often using bent trees and frames to carry out turnery on branches or logs of beech coppice wood.
A bent wood tree acted as a spring to turn wood on a spindle allowing the use of a blade to shape the length of roundwood into different forms. In particular the bodgers would produce specifically shaped rungs, stretchers and legs for the Windsor chair (also known earlier as the Forest chair) which was manufactured in large numbers in High Wycombe.
This rare film footage from the 1900's records some of the original bodgers working in the chilterns, click on image below.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Beech coppice.
- Best Woods for Wood Carving.
- Carpentry.
- Chip carving.
- Physical Properties of Wood.
- The Art of Pyrography.
- Timber.
- The history and techniques of woodturning.
- The Differences Between Hardwood and Softwood
- Timber species
- Types of rapidly renewable content.
[edit] External links
Featured articles and news
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Preserving, waterproofing and decorating buildings.
Many resources for visitors aswell as new features for members.
Using technology to empower communities
The Community data platform; capturing the DNA of a place and fostering participation, for better design.
Heat pump and wind turbine sound calculations for PDRs
MCS publish updated sound calculation standards for permitted development installations.
Homes England creates largest housing-led site in the North
Successful, 34 hectare land acquisition with the residential allocation now completed.
Scottish apprenticeship training proposals
General support although better accountability and transparency is sought.
The history of building regulations
A story of belated action in response to crisis.
Moisture, fire safety and emerging trends in living walls
How wet is your wall?
Current policy explained and newly published consultation by the UK and Welsh Governments.
British architecture 1919–39. Book review.
Conservation of listed prefabs in Moseley.
Energy industry calls for urgent reform.