Wilder Woods » Events

Basketmaking at Drayton Woods – January 2012

Hannah Aitken — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:49:25 +0000

Ten of us gathered together on one of the frostiest mornings of the year to be initiated into the ancient and traditional craft of basketmaking. Armed with gauntlets and old baked bean tins (?) we set about dethorning vicious bramble stems. The sound of a bramble being forced through a hole in a tin has to be heard to be believed! Once subdued we began to see our garden enemies in a whole new light. No longer were they stealthily attempting to slash our skin to shreds or attach themselves inexorably to our clothing. They underwent a total transformation, becoming instead sturdy green and purple frames and handles for our baskets.
Our teachers, Linda and Hannah, dealt patiently with all our queries, soothed us when willow rods snapped and introduced us to the vocabulary of basket making – ‘slyping’, ‘waling’, ‘tips and butts’ ‘upsett’ and ‘randing.’ Once every rib was slyped and in place we were off. We sat around the fire chatting, listening to birdsong (and from time to time the farmer inconsiderately cutting the hedges with something very loud!) totally absorbed by the rhythm of weaving the willow, ivy or bramble seeing each other’s our creations take shape. Everyone put their individual stamp on their basket design – some enviably neat, others of us going for a rather more rustic and airy look! It is hard to describe how relaxing it was just to simply be outside and thinking about absolutely nothing except getting the weaving right, choosing which willow to use next and seeing our work actually begin to look like baskets. The range of colours was amazing – acid green, deep red, olive green, saffron yellow and purply-green. We could hardly bear to tear ourselves away from our creations when it was time for lunch.
By the end of the afternoon we were admiring each other’s handiwork, all of us now the proud owners of our own unique handmade baskets. The sense of achievement from making something yourself from natural materials (which you could actually use!) was truly satisfying. The fact we had spent the day outside was an added bonus. Click on the basket photo in the Drayton Woods Gallery to see all our creations and get a flavour of the day.

Hedgerow Baskets

Deb Millar — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:32:38 +0000

Lynda Shaw and Hannah Aitken ran a wonderful hedgerow basket workshop on 20th November. Do look at the Hallr Wood gallery to see the photos. Some stages of the process were soothing, some utterly frustrating!

We all managed to finish our baskets except for Cee who was supposed to be cooking anyway!They will be running willow baskets in January at Drayton.

Horse Logger and Celebration of access opening at Hallr Wood

Deb Millar — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:17:36 +0000

Nearly 100 people of all ages (oldest was 97) called in to watch Charles and Rosalind Buckler at work with their two logging horses on Saturday. The sun shone and children played on the swings and in the dens. The horses Major and Suzy did a great job bringing timber from around the wood ready for planking on Rupert Furneaux’s mobile saw mill ( hopefully visiting us soon). The Woodland Cafe did a brisk trade serving hot soup, teas and delicious cakes, baked and donated by supporters (THANKS to you all). It was a beauitiful way to celebrate the end of the long battle we have fought for permission to continue our woodland activities. In the afternoon we all gathered around the access so that Juliet (Chair of our group) could cut the ribbon. We were also presented with a giant cheque from CHADS (Charlton’s Amateur Dramatic Society) who so generously contributed £500 from the proceeds of their summer producction to enable us to do the work required. There are so many people to thank for the access. S Morris donated the materials – stone for the car area and the concrete for the ramp. Vera Huxter gave money for us to buy new wooden gates, many people donated individually. SSDC gave £500 and Charlton Parish Council gave £40. We have worked flat out to get the access done as quickly as possible. Special thanks go to Tim Loosemore, Marty Fildes, Mike Whittaker, Mike Smyth and of course Martyn Huxter who built the concrete ramp only a week ago. Roger Cox has done a fantastic job with his digger – and will be back soon we hope to finish off by spreading a bit more stone on the edges of the car area. We still have landscaping work to do but hope to complete the planting by holding extra volunteer days through out the winter on Wednesdays. Do get in touch if you would like to know more. Thank you very much to the Forest Education Initiative Partnership Fund for funding for the horse logger. It aptly concluded the Somerset Twig to Table project.

Forest Family Sessions

Hannah Aitken — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:25:30 +0000

A friendly outdoor playgroup for 0-5 yearolds with Skills Share for adults. Children can explore woodland & play games with a qualified Forest School leader while adults take part in woodcraft, firelighting, wool weaving & felting, willow craft, drama games & wildlife awareness skills share sessions.

4 week course starts Wednesday September 7th, 14th, Sept 21st, Sept 28th

1pm-3pm

For bookings & details contact Hannah Aitken 01458 252 463

Course subsidised by Somerset Community Foundation

Forest School Fridays

Hannah Aitken — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:11:46 +0000

Drayton Woods After School Club for 8-12 year olds starts on September 16th and runs for 6 weeks until October 21st. 4.30-7pm
A chance to develop woodland skills over an extended period, exploration, denbuilding, whittling & tool work, crafts, campfire cooking

Booking Essential Contact Hannah Aitken 01458 252 463

Hallr Wood Open Day 19/6/2011

Deb Millar — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:41:11 +0000

We welcomed a steady stream of people – old friends and new faces to our Open Day at Hallr Wood on 19th June. Thankfully we dodged the showers and the afternoon was dry and even sunny at times. The wood looked enchanting and there was loads to do. There were woodland trails, chances to try out shave horses and spring pole lathe, a hammock challenge, crafty activities and plenty to eat from our beautiful Woodland cafe. We had a comfy seating area under our enormous cargo parachute and people could go and sit there and hear wonderful stories from Amanda and also Mark playing several tunes on his hammered dulcimer. Our raffle had attracted some great prizes – Sarah won the rocket stove (and can’t wait to try it out on their next camping trip to Exmoor) Azharah won the elm spoon, Jo Blunt won the lovely etching donated fron Nina Gronw- Lewis, Andy the chocs from Heather Barnes (healthy chocolate!) and Cherry won the bottles from Somerset Food Direct. Richard won the hammock challenge. We have raised nearly £200 towards the costs of our planning permision (works required). Big thank you to all our helpers- Ian & Torin, Azharah, Marty, Sarah, Jane, Lynda, Ed, Andy, Martyn, Amanda and her helpers, Juliet Lawn, our Wwoofers Ian, Colline and Matt and also those who came and ate cakes and strawberries. Do look at Ian’s photos which can be accessed via our Hallr Wood facebook page. Hopefully we will have some on our gallery soon too.

Volunteer Woodland Management Day

Hannah Aitken — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:23:52 +0000

We had a wonderful day in Drayton Woods on Sunday November 7th and lots of jobs got done.

15 adults and 9 young people helped. With 24 helpers this was the largest turn out at Drayton so far.

A new canvas shelter was put up with the expert guidance of Martyn Huxter This has created an outdoor wood craft working area.

The new shelter stood up excellently to the storm we had on Sunday night/ Monday- it went up just in time!

Over the day lots of people planted 200 bluebells, 50 anemone and 50 narcissi bulbs. We checked our bird boxes in the wood. Two nests were found and the identification of egg remains revealed that coal tits had been using the boxes. The boxes were repaired and strengthened and put back with some new additions to make them more waterproof.

5 ash trees and a small leafed lime were planted, compost and wood ash was the woodland garden put on the woodland garden and bulbs planted. Brush & brambles around the fire area were cleared and logs sawed for firewood. Young volunteers put down woodchip around the campfire area in preparation for the wet weather & mud. A vice that had been donated to the Forest School was cleaned & freed up ready to be set up in the new woodworking area.The weather was sunny all day! As the tarpaulin went up the sun set, and it got a lot colder. We were glad to gather around the blazing campfire to drink a toast of hot spicy cider to all our hard work and to a Winter well prepared for!

250 trees from the Woodland trust have now arrived so watch this space for further opportunities to come and plant some of them!

Photos of the day can be viewed on our website: http://wilderwoods.org/gallery/drayton-woods/

Thanks once again to all involved

Youth Volunteering Day

Deb Millar — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:56:59 +0000

We had a wonderful day with 19 young people who came and helped with woodland tasks. We planted woodland bulbs, moved wood, put up nest boxes and also enjoyed a visit from National Trust wardens.
Many thanks to all those who came and also to Somerset County Council who support us.

Hallr Wood – David Heath visit

Deb Millar — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:45:59 +0000

We were delighted to have a visit from David Heath over half term. His clear enthusiasm for the project was a boost at this difficult time waiting for our planning application to go in.

The Western Gazette reported on the visit. Here is a link to the article.

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/news/Bid-branch-woodland-classroom/article-2807234-detail/article.html

Peter has also been to a meeting with Nick Hurd through the Directory of Social Change in London on 27th October. We were invited by Jay Kennedy, Head of Policy at DSC after I wrote to Nick Hurd as Minister for Civil Society. Jay Kennedy said,

“I was struck by your example of the planning regulations inhibiting your work with children in woodlands, it’s a unique one compared to many of the other things that have been submitted, but a perfect illustration of the kind of thing that needlessly gets in the way.”

Hallr Wood Open Day

Deb Millar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:01:38 +0000

Over 100 people of varying ages came to our sunny Woodland Open Day in West Charlton. Some were visiting forest school practitioners but most were local people.
We had plenty of help all day. Bryn, Henry, Ed, Mark, Andrew, Dec, Brendan, Sue, Corrina and Neill got the fires going, put up signs and trails, did last minute path clearing. Tom and Martyn set up the spring pole lathe and shave horses. Lynda and Peel set up the bottom camp with spinning wheels and Peel’s shave horse. Many brought delicious cakes. Jane, Sally and Maggie worked tirelessly serving teas and cakes. Becky brought marshmallows (very popular). 42 children went around the woodland trail and claimed stickers for their efforts. The swing was in constant use.
We were really impressed at the number of people who walked and cycled. There were 26 bikes and a disabled buggy parked among the trees at one point.
It was an opportunity for villagers to see the project and have a go on the spring pole lathe and shave horse and Lyndas’ spinning wheels. It was wonderful to feel the high level of local support for our planning application for mixed forestry/ educational use which the wood needs to survive.

It will be our third attempt this year to secure correct permissions. The application includes small scale/ sympathetic parking commensurate with low level use (groups mostly come by single mini bus) as Highways/Planning won’t accept use of the parish car park.

If our application is successful we can restore visits to pre-school/ school/ continue our small group forest education work alongside our restoration of the plantation. Although we didn’t want to provide parking, it will make it easier for those with limited mobility to get involved.

£60 was donated for bulbs and trees from teas. Thank you to everyone who helped, or came along and supported us, making yesterday such a wonderful event.
P.S. Many many thanks to Ingrid Crawford for her superb photos which are now up in the Hallr Wood gallery. There are more on our facebook page.