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.
