Twenty four ladies and one man met on a beautiful morning in a parking area known locally as Bessie Bank to hear from Brian Frawley on how he manages the local woodland.

A short walk, which was perfumed by wood-smoke, led us to a small clearing where the charcoal burner was situated. He pointed out several areas where in the past the burns' had taken place but now modernisation meant the charcoal could be prepared regularly in the iron burner.

He took us through the wood and pointed out where coppicing operations are taking place. This may look drastic but needs to be done to maintain the future of the woodland and also means flowers, plants and insects have their chance to grow. The coppice stumps have to be covered with the twiggy branches, as the deer think the new growth is just for them, but will grow up to six feet in a year and can then be harvested again in the future.

Brian then donned all his safety equipment and with his chainsaw took down a birch tree. Mrs Crawley then arrived with the transport system Corrie the Highland pony! This means that the damage to the surface is at a minimum and is a very effective way of moving the wood, as we soon saw. We then went back to the clearing where we heard more about the procedure involved in making charcoal and had a chance to look at photographs and inform-ation about Brian's work.

Following lunch, Brian and his wife showed us several uses of the wood that is harvested walking sticks, hurdles (decorative fencing), swills, firewood and also an ingenious way to start your barbeque using charcoal. He followed this by sitting down and making a besom - a brush made from birch twigs.

Helen Crawley then got out her log-splitting axe and showed us the correct way to do this. Mrs Hornby gave our thanks for such an interesting and informative day.

April 24, 2003 11:30