Coppicing, Pruning and Thatching Spar Making Courses at Little Hidden Farm
Following the series of instructive and fun workshops that we ran last winter we are planning further sessions for the New Year. We very much hope that you will be keen to refresh or add to your skills by attending one or more of the following events.
COPPICING
Whole day courses 9.30am to 4.00pm on:
Saturday the 9th January,
6th February and 6th March On these days we will provide you with an introduction over tea/coffee on arrival, a delicious woodland lunch over a clay oven and tea and cake to round off the event.
“Coppicing” is an age old woodland management tradition which needs to be continued in order to retain the rich diversity of wildlife that it supported. Our inspiring tutors will impart new skills at the same time as offering fascinating insight into the historical and environmental relevance of the activities. Last year's coppicing event revealed the presence of extraordinarily old Field Maple stools, perhaps exceeding 1000 years old!
PRUNING
Whole day courses 9.30am to 4.00pm on: Saturday the 23rd January & 13th February
The format for these pruning sessions will be similar to the coppicing days. We will explain the underlying principles and work on some garden or hedgerow shrubs before moving on to a wide range of trees where you will have ample opportunity to apply your newly gained knowledge. We will also identify a number of native tree species in their winter guise and discuss their former and current uses as timber. A look at the importance of trees in the landscape and their ecological value will widen interest in the day. You should go home with sufficient confidence to work on your own trees and shrubs.
The whole day course fee is £35 which includes VAT
THATCHING SPAR MAKING Half day courses 9.30am to 1.00pm on: Sunday the 21st January and 21st February
These half day sessions will also start with an introduction over tea/coffee with a mid morning break to bake your own jam filled damper. Our instructor is a professional thatcher keen to encourage the conversion of locally grown hazel coppice rods into thatching spars for his trade. The basic cleaving technique is equally relevant to the making of hazel wattle hurdles now frequently used as attractive garden fencing.
The Half Day course fee is £20 incl: of VAT.
Full time students will be given a £10 discount for any of the above courses and this includes children between 12 and 18 who are welcome to the Coppicing courses if accompanied by a responsible adult. 16 will be the lower age limit for the Pruning and Spar Making workshops.
All necessary equipment will be provided but please bring any favourite tool of your own if you wish. A sturdy pair of gloves and appropriate winter wear will help you enjoy the day.
We will be delighted to welcome back previous course members as well as to meet new faces who might be encouraged to join in. Those involved in last winter's coppicing will be pleased to see the results of our endeavours in improving the woodland habitat and the consequent benefits for wildlife. You might like to look at our coppicing gallery.
To book your place on a course please email or telephone me so that I can confirm availability before you send a cheque.
