News/Events
Dorset Coppice Group is running a number of one day courses over the next six months on subjects related to coppicing, woodland crafts and sustainable woodland management. These are open to members and non-members alike.
Details of the first two courses are provided below. For more information, or to book a place, please contact David Ewers on naturalwoodcraft@btinternet.com
Hedgelaying
13th January 2018
Goldhill Organics Farm, Child Oakford
Learn the skills of hedgelaying including the art of pleaching, tree/shrub identification & hedgerow management. Food and hot drinks included. £25 per person.
Spoon Carving
10th February 2018
Living Classroom, Bonsley Wood, Durweston
Learn how to take a piece of round, coppiced wood and turn it into a beautiful & functional piece of kitchenware. All tools and materials are provided, along with hot drinks & biscuits (cake if you’re lucky!). Please bring your own lunch. This course costs £40 per person for a full days’ tuition.
Mini Hazel Hurdles
10th March 2018
Living Classroom, Bonsley Wood, Durweston
Come and make a couple of mini-hurdles for use around your garden. You’ll learn the foundations of weaving & splitting hazel which can be used in the future for making full sized wattle hurdles. The cost is £40 per person including tool, materials & refreshments. Please bring your own lunch.
When: Saturday 7th October 2017. 9.30am to 5pm
At: The Living Classroom, Bonsley Wood, Hillcombe Coppice, Durweston, nr Blandford A357 at Durweston – Grid Ref; ST 833 086
What???
This “taster” day is a chance to learn the basic techniques of some traditional coppice crafts either to satisfy your curiosity, or as a prelude to a more in-depth course. There will be refreshments available but you may prefer to bring a packed lunch. There are toilet facilities & drinking water on site.
The activities available are:-
+ Introduction to coppicing
+ Hurdle Making
+ Charcoal Burning
+ Hedgelaying
+ Walking Stick Making
+ Rustic Hazel Furniture
+ Basket Weaving
+ Pole lathe turning
+ Pyrography (burning on wood)
+ Shrink Pots (greenwood storage pots)
+ Powered lathe turning
The cost for the day is £40 and you can choose four different activities from the above list.
Each session will last an hour and a half and will give you a taster of the craft. Many of the instructors also run day or two day courses, so you may want to put your name down for one.
Places are limited, so it is essential to book early. If you have any queries, please contact:- David Ewers on email:- naturalwoodcraft@btinternet.com
The Dorset Coppice Group Woodfair will be held at Bonsley Wood, Durweston on 6th May 2017.
Click below for map
map
Free entrance with entertainment.
Competition entries 50p for non-members.
Food available.
See flyer for more details. WOODFAIR 2017
The Dorset Coppice Group Taster Day will be held on 7th October 2017
More details to follow.
Please contact David Ewers for more information.
Email: naturalwoodcraft@btinternet.com
Bobbin Wood will be holding several courses throughout the summer.
The course dates for 2017 are:-
MAY 20/21st.
JUNE 10/11th and 24/25th
JULY 13/14th
AUGUST 5/6th
SEPTEMBER 7/8th and 16/17th
I now also sell course gift vouchers, that are ideal presents.
I will also shortly be listing Woodland Ways Days for parents and children to take place in school half terms and holidays.
For more information please visit www.bobbinwood.co.uk where you will also find a link to their Facebook page.
The Dorset Coppice Group Craft Taster Day will be held at Bonsley Woods on 22nd October.
A chance to try your hand at some traditional woodcraft either to satisfy your curiosity, or as a foretaste of a more in-depth course.
More details to follow but last years activities were :
Hurdle making, charcoal burning, willow baskets, pole lathe turning,
walking sticks , spoon carving, trug making, pyrography,
rustic furniture making, shrink pots, hedgelaying and of course coppicing
The activities take place amongst lovely woodland at our Living Classroom. You will be able to choose 4 different activities each lasting 11⁄2 hours.
We have toilets and catering facilities and there are lovely walks for anyone not taking part.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential, do let me know if you would like a booking form.
All materials supplied
Food and drink available all day to purchase
If you are interested in signing up please contact Dave Ewers on 01202 621508 or 07588 432812 or by email: randalls.farm@btinternet.com
National Beanpole Week 9-17th April 2016
Search members products for suppliers of locally coppiced bean poles and pea sticks.
National Beanpole Week calls on gardeners to support Britain’s coppiced woodlands by choosing eco-friendly, locally-grown coppiced beanpoles instead of imported bamboo canes.
By switching to British-grown coppiced beanpoles, gardeners and growers will be doing their bit to support the environment, wildlife, rural jobs, ancient skills and traditions – and their beans.
Traditionally managed coppiced woodlands are a really important part of our countryside because they supply us with truly sustainable wood, provide an incredibly rich wildlife habitat, support hundreds of rural jobs and keep many ancient skills and traditions alive.
Britain lost 90% of its coppiced woodland during the 20th century – and to protect what remains, we need to support the coppice workers who manage these woods by buying their excellent eco-friendly coppiced beanpoles.
The Dorset Coppice Group will be holding their Open Day on 14th May 2016 at Bonsley Wood.
Come and see our members demonstrating their crafts.
November 7th
Come and spend a day at Bonsley and build your own Shave Horse. All materials supplied including tea and coffee.
Cost for the day is £80 – this includes everything.
Contact David Ewers on:
01202 621508
07588 432812
Email: randalls.farm@btinternet.com
Spaces limited. Couples can make one between them if they wish.
The Dorset Coppice Group Craft Taster Day will be held at Bonsley Woods on 10th October.
A chance to try your hand at some traditional woodcraft
either to satisfy your curiosity, or as a foretaste of a more in-depth course
Activities available are :
Hurdle making, charcoal burning, willow baskets, pole lathe turning,
walking sticks , spoon carving, trug making, pyrography,
rustic furniture making, shrink pots, hedgelaying and of course coppicing
The activities take place amongst lovely woodland at our Living Classroom. You will be able to choose 4 different activities each lasting 11⁄2 hours.
We have toilets and catering facilities and there are lovely walks for anyone not taking part.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential, do let me know if you would like a booking form.
All materials supplied
Food and drink available all day to purchase
The cost for the day is £40 per person.
If you are interested in signing up please contact Dave Ewers on 01202 621508 or 07588 432812 or by email: randalls.farm@btinternet.com
