Come and learn the mystical art of charcoal burning.  The course will include an introduction to charcoal burning, the history and landscape, it’s uses and importance in the past and present.  You will work as a team to load the kiln, learning the practice of doing this correctly, light it and stand watch while it burns, waiting for your moment to help the burn to each next stage. You will go home with a bag of charcoal (previously made), the smell of the woodsmoke in your hair and a skip in your step!

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Includes tea and coffee.  Please bring a packed lunch with you.  

Sturdy(closed) footwear and rough clothes essential.  

We will be in the woods, under a canvas cover if raining, for the theory side of the course.

The traditional practice of hedge laying is a fantastic way to manage and maintain your unruly hedge, or create a thick, stock proof barrier for a sheep field etc.  And, it looks beautiful!  Come and learn the techniques and art/science behind hedge laying.  Your course tutor has been laying hedges out of all sorts of grade trees/shrubs for 6 years.  Through her work at the Weald and Downland Living museum she has the experience to teach you the techniques you will need to tackle your own hedge at home!  The course includes a theory based session in the morning before moving onto the hands on stuff in the late morning and afternoon.

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Includes tea and coffee.  Please bring a packed lunch with you.  

Sturdy(closed) footwear and rough clothes essential.  

We will be in the woods, under a canvas cover if raining, for the theory side of the course.  

Tools will be provided but please bring with you any tools you have that you might like to use; bow saws, bill hooks, axe (please, no chainsaws).

Come and discover the ancient practice of coppicing; cutting down small diameter stems from ‘stools’ to let in light and therefore encourage the perpetual cycle of new growth.  Learn about the history of coppicing and how it has shaped our landscape.  Its uses throughout history and today and why it has such an important role to play in the biodiversity of our woodlands and ecological strength of our environment.  Get stuck in and hands on learning practical techniques to take away for use on your own land or volunteer activities. Includes tea and coffee.  Please bring a packed lunch with you.  Sturdy(closed) footwear and rough clothes essential.  We will be in the woods, under a canvas cover if raining, for the theory side of the course.  Tools will be provided but please bring with you any tools you have that you might like to use; bow saws, bill hooks, axe (please no chainsaws).

Learn to weave a willow basket in this 1 day introductory course. Suitable for complete beginners or for those that want a bit of encouragement or extra guidance on their willow weaving journey!  You will learn the different techniques required for each part of the basket.  Learn the selection of appropriate material for each job and learn about how to prepare and look after your willow and basket.  You will go home with your very own medium sized basket perfect for kindling, eggs, apples, you name it!

Your course tutor, Sarah, has been weaving willow for over 8 years and will encourage and guide you through the whole process.

Get in touch with nature and find an amazing sense of achievement on this 1 day course.

Make a beautiful willow hanging basket for your porch or garden. You will learn the selection of material and techniques necessary to make your own hanging rib basket out of willow.  A liner can be provided if you wish and there may be a chance to purchase plants to plant out in your basket from our local nursery.

Includes tea and coffee. Please bring a packed lunch with you.  

Materials and tools included.

Make a beautiful Christmas wreath to take home to display proudly on your front door, or give as a gift to loved one.  Using natural materials we provide from our woodland earlier that day, learning techniques to decorate a beautiful wreath.  

Sarah, your tutor will be on hand to guide you as much or as little as you need.  

Includes tea and coffee. Materials and tools included, please feel free to bring any ribbon or ornaments you may wish to include on your wreath.  

There will be an opportunity to buy extra wreaths for friends or family on the day subject to availability, or even take home a willow ring to decorate at home with the kids!

Similar to the 2 hour session but you will have a unique opportunity to gather your own materials on a walk through Oakwood West woodland in the morning.  You will then create your own unique wreath to take home as above.

Sarah, your tutor will be on hand to guide you as much or as little as you need.

Includes tea and coffee. Materials and tools included, please feel free to bring any ribbon or ornaments you may wish to include on your wreath.

Please wrap up warm with shoes you don’t mind getting muddy, wellies are always good! As we will be out in the woods in the day.

There will be an opportunity to buy extra wreaths for friends or family on the day subject to availability, or even take home a willow ring to decorate at home with the kids!

A whole day of Christmas fun!! Usher in the season with a festive day filled with crafting! We will walk around Oakwood West woodland in the morning gathering all the natural materials we will use to decorate our beautiful wreaths. Learn how to twist the hazel into a ring as the base of your wreath and find out what foliage looks fantastic.  

Sarah, your tutor will be on hand to guide you as much or as little as you need.  

Includes tea and coffee. Materials and tools included, please feel free to bring any ribbon or ornaments you may wish to include on your wreath.  

Please wrap up warm with shoes you don’t mind getting muddy, wellies are always good! As we will be out in the woods in the day.

There will be an opportunity to buy extra wreaths for friends or family on the day subject to availability, or even take home a willow ring to decorate at home with the kids!