Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) and Small Woods Association apprentice, Fiona de Wert, will be taking part in a workshop to the public in Brenscombe Wood throughout Purbeck Art Weeks from Saturday 24th May – Sunday 8th June 2014.
Coppice Apprentice, Fiona, has been learning the historical art of coppicing, horse logging and greenwood skills in Purbeck with local coppice worker Toby Hoad. The apprenticeship is delivered as part of the Wild Purbeck Scheme, and was set up by Dorset Wildlife Trust, Small Woods Association and Dorset Coppice Group to encourage young people into an industry that is truly sustainable. Fiona’s coppicing and greenwood skills are helping to manage Dorset woods which in return help the local economy, biodiversity and people.
Fiona said:”Our woodland workshop is a truly unique and inspiring space to work and create in. It’s fantastic to have this opportunity to invite people in and share the knowledge and skills I’ve gained in green woodworking and sustainable woodland management.”
DWT’s Trees and Woodlands Conservation Officer, Emma Tomlin said: “We are really pleased that people can go and see truly sustainable working woodland – ‘a living wood’ that is full of noise and birdsong, the buzz of insects and the sounds of people making woodlands work.”
To see Toby and Fiona working the woodland in the traditional way and even have a go at making your own turned item on a pole lathe, please visit the Greenwood Workshop, Little Brenscombe Wood, Nr Corfe Castle on the Corfe Castle to Studland road (follow Purbeck Art Week 29 signs). Open Daily 10 – 5pm (only during Purbeck Art Weeks).
For more information about Fiona’s work, please visit her blog at: www.emblacraft.blogspot.co.uk. Find out more about Dorset Coppice Group and their work at: www.dorsetcoppicegroup.org.uk.
