Woodland Skills
Charcoal Production
To instruct participants in the heritage of charcoal making in the lower Wye valley.
Instruct participants in the use of a steel kiln to make charcoal for local use in cooking and heating.
Bring participants up to a basic competency standard by testing practical application of skills learnt.
Dry Stone Walling
To instruct participants in the historical heritage of dry-stone walling and the variations across the UK.
To instruct participants in the basic principles of dry-stone walling by practical work in the woodland’s extensive but derelict wall structures.
Develop participants skills to a foundation competency level for accreditation by the Drystone walling Association.
Ecology
To instruct participants in the various techniques for surveying fauna and flora in a woodland context.
Helping participants start their progression towards qualification, accredited standards and possible work opportunities.
Forestry Equipment Operation & Maintenance
To instruct participants in the safe use and maintenance of forestry equipment including:
- Billhook
- Axe
- Bow saw
- Chainsaws
- Brush Cutters
- Circular saw
- Log splitter
- Winches
- RTV 4×4 vehicle
Where appropriate bring participants up to an industry standard of tested competence such as NPTC (National Proficiency Test Council Certification).
Forestry Horse Timber Extraction
To instruct participants in the heritage of horse use in forestry management and its practical relevance today.
To introduce participants to the horse breeds used and their care and maintenance.
To introduce participants to the equipment used in horse timber extraction.
To instruct participants in the extraction of cut timber by horse in the woodland to designated points for collection and processing.
Under supervision, allow the participants to practice horse handling techniques for timber extraction.
Silvi Culture and Coppicing
To instruct participants in the purpose and method for coppicing, generally throughout the woodland and specifically in the sites historical Hazel Coppice.
Instruction in the use of two silvi culture coppicing systems as follows:
- Create a short rotational crop of Hazel Rods at 3, 5 and 7 year growth periods within the existing Hazel Coppice.
- Establish a strong coppicing with standards system throughout the rest of the woodland to encourage under storey health and bio diversity.
To prepare and stack the cut wood for other purposes such as firewood, charcoal or craft production.
Wood Craft Production
(Machine Tools and/or Hand Green Woodworking)
To instruct participants in the use of:
- Wood turning lathe
- Band saw
To create turned craft products such as bowls and plates.
To instruct participants in the use of a shave Horse, Draw Knife and steam equipment to create furniture items.
To test the participants competency to operate these machine and hand tools safely and effectively.
To instruct the participants in the care and maintenance of all tools.
Therapy Activities
CBT Trauma Counselling
To support participants by identifying and applying cognitive coping methods for emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
EMDR
Eye Movement De-sensitisation & Reprocessing
To support participants by providing EMDR techniques to explore their historical trauma but anchored in the present so the trauma no longer overwhelms them but is seen in the past and detached from them now.
Hypnotherapy
To support participants’ recovery by exploring their trauma
Mindfulness & Meditation
To support participants in various meditation techniques to create deep personal understanding of their inner emotions and thereby re centring themselves.
To support participants in various breathing techniques to relieve intense stress and anxiety.
Somatic Movement & Yoga
To support the participants’ neuromuscular system with hands on movement techniques to increase health and wellbeing.
These techniques will include Yogo and can be practiced at home or in groups.
Ceramics
Instruct participants in the following areas:
- Creation of a clay and stone kiln using woodland materials
- Preparation and understanding of clay properties
- Heritage of ancient ceramics in Wales
- Preparation of clay products reflecting
welsh - Glaze and painting techniques
Firing of clay items- Preparation of items for sale
Creative Writing
To support participants through the use of creative writing and poetry. Through the use of written language explore and describe their trauma thereby getting a clearer understanding of its elements.
Allow participants to express themselves creatively through the written word and to give form to their underlying emotions and feelings about the places and people around them.
Drama & Storytelling
To support participants’ self-awareness and that of the woodland
Music
To support participants in exploring musical rhythms and choral song including local folk music linked to the woodland’s history.
To develop participants understanding and use of music to relieve their anxiety and stress.
Painting & Drawing
To instruct participants in painting and drawing techniques.
Prepare items for sale as originals or prints in various forms eg postcards, anniversary cards, posters or framed.
Some participants may wish to get to an accredited standard and/or sell their artwork commercially.
Photography
To support the participants’ recovery by using photography to capture present moments from different perspectives.
Psycho Geography
To develop participants’ awareness and deep understanding of the places around them in the continuum of time.
Using the woodland setting and its historical and ecological context to better understand themselves by deep sensory awareness of their surroundings.
