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Summer 2013 May — July
Visit the
NEW
Tir Coed
WEBSITE! www.tircoed.org.uk
Woodland Fair Success! Over 150 people spent a sunny
Saturday afternoon in Llanfarian at
the Tyllwyd Woodland Fair. The
event, supported by Cynnal Y Cardi,
was a partnership between the
woodland charity Tir Coed and its
sister company, WiseWoods Wales. The Woodland Fair brought
together local people, tourists and woodland workers - from crafts-
people to forestry and coppice workers, to
celebrate all things woody, and to peer
through a window into the day-to-day op-
erations of WiseWoods Wales at their
base.
Activities were based both at Llanfarian
Village Hall and at Tyllwyd woodland itself,
with a shuttle bus running between the two
locations. At the woods, the WiseWoods
team headed a ‘Forestry Operations
Circuit’ where visitors could have-a-go at
forestry activities such as the hand winch, saw mill and even a
(chainless) chainsaw. People were then invited to make a bird box
or planter from their milled plank of wood. Other activities on offer
included turning on the pole lathe, wood bug creations and a
woodland discovery trail and quiz. A splendid time was had by all,
as one visitor commented: “an excellent show; I could watch the
mill in action all day! A great community event.” Continued on page 10
Newsletter
WICKED Branching Out / Egin
Inside this Newsletter
• Communities And Nature
• YOS Project • YMCA Project • Monitoring and
Evaluation
• The Apprenticeship Project
• News
• WiseWoods Wales
Opportunity!
2 Woodland Management
Apprenticeships
Based near Aberystwyth
& Lampeter
For more details
see page 7
MP Mark Williams tries out Tony Eames’s
‘One Tree Day’ chair
Communities And Nature
Coed Penglanowen & Old Warren Hill, Aberystywth March to June 2013
The core of this group worked hard during May and June to complete the works scheduled for these two
Wildlife Trust reserves which were once part of the Nant Eos Estate, and are only 3 miles from Aberystwyth.
It is hoped that the new facilities, in particular the two entrance archways, will attract more visitors to these
Reserves. The mixed estate planted woodland includes many exotic species, some are extremely large,
including Ceredigion’s tallest tree, a specimen of Sequoiadendron Giganteum (Giant Redwood).
The group have completed an entrance archway for the Old Warren Hill Reserve,
including a sturdy oak gate. The archway was made entirely from Coed
Penglanowen oak. From the oak that was milled last quarter, the group have made
several stunning benches, all neatly pegged together, as well as a variety of
‘chainsaw carved’ tree stumps that serve as benches. Three visitor information
panels have also been installed.
Now that the course has finished, one of the participants has attended a course on
self-employment and intends to set up as a tool-maker. Another participant has
registered on a furniture-making course with Coleg Ceredigion and another is
volunteering with Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community Woodland.
Leads: Rob Smith & Bob Shaw Support: Trina Earl Sessions: 27 No. volunteer days: 96 No. volunteer hours: 576 Total no. volunteers 11 No. current volunteers: 5
Accreditation: Agored Cymru (OCN) Unit Level Total
Achieved Ancillary Structures to Access Routes 2 3
Progression Self employment 1
Voluntary Placement 1
College course—furniture making 1
Participant Feedback: “Gotta say a huge thanks to you that I'm heading down a path I didn't think was
viable until I got involved with Tir Coed activities.”
Volunteering In the Natural Environment (VINE) Pilot
Poor Man’s Wood, Llandovery, May to June 2013
Following two successful Branching Out CAN projects at Poor Man’s Wood, the
YMCA in Llandovery contacted Tir Coed about running a rustic furniture-making
course for disengaged young people in the local area. Two course participants had
previously been engaged on Tir Coed programmes, so could pass on their prior
experience to the rest of the group. Of the other three participants, two were home
schooled and another was given permission to attend by Pantycelyn School.
The group were tasked with making 12 benches, 4 picnic tables, and 2 small shelters
for use in the back yard of the YMCA centre. The young people approached the work
with enthusiasm and completed the furniture to schedule, producing both useful and very beautiful
additions to the YMCA backyard, which is used by several different groups including after-school and Hafal.
As a result of the project, several bench orders have been received from local people and groups. The
course instructor is planning to deliver the timber to the YMCA during August; the young people from the
group will produce the benches and sell them for a profit … Hopefully the start of greater things to come!
Lead: Jamie Miller Support: Ray Miller Sessions: 12 No. volunteer days: 47 No. volunteer hours: 282 Total no. volunteers 5
Feedback: "Whilst he was doing that course it was like having a different boy in the school - helpful, enthusiastic and interested - I am very impressed and am happy to release him for any other courses run at the YMCA." - Headteacher, Pantycelyn School
"It was really great - I can now produce some garden furniture that people actually want to buy!" -
Participant
"I loved that course and I was disappointed really that I found a job (during the course) because I would have like to have finished it." - Participant
"I have never seen this young man excited about anything and when he talked about the woodcraft course his eyes lit up and he spoke really enthusiastically about everything he had done. I feel this has turned a corner for him and given him an insight into other possibilities." - Home Education Officer
Volunteering In the Natural Environment (VINE) Pilot
Coed Tyllwyd, Llanfarian, July to September 2013
At the beginning of July a short project started at Coed Tyllwd near Aberystwyth, working with the
Youth Justice Service Prevention Team. The plan is to provide 8 sessions, offering a range of
woodland craft experiences, to enhance their own programme of outdoor activities.
The participants range in age from 12 to 18, and have already shown that they can work together to
support each other during activities. They have been allowed to explore the woodland setting and
discover new things about the environment whilst being given small structured tasks to complete.
Activities have included den building (taking into consideration terrain, weather, suitability of materials,
structure & stability), safe fire lighting procedures (identifying suitable natural materials & their
properties, collecting, laying out & how to use a flint), safe use of tools (carrying, using & maintaining),
cord making (from nettles they gathered) and green wood craft skills (using small side axe, froe, shave
horse, draw knife & carving knife). All group members have successfully completed a mallet and many
managed to make the cord to thread through the handle too.
A positive working environment has been established where individuals are realising the importance
of listening well and working hard as well as enjoying what they are doing. It has been suggested that
these young people can often be unpredictable and unreliable but so far this has not been the case
and the group have been keen to learn new skills, and have eagerly returned to each session. The
next activity will be to make a three-legged stool where, if time, individuals will be able to carve
something on it. They will all be able to take home the items they make to show friends and family
their achievements. The hope is that some individuals may wish to accredit the work they are doing by
completing an Agored Cymru unit (Introduction to Green Woodwork), Level 1. More news next time.
Lead: Adam Thorogood Support: Trina Earl Sessions: 3 No. volunteer days: 23 No. volunteer hours: 276 Total no. volunteers 14 No. current volunteers 8
The Apprenticeship Project - Woodland Management Apprenticeships
From the outset, Tony was very keen to take on as many skills
as possible and to get the maximum out of his Apprenticeship
with WiseWoods Wales. Tony grabbed any opportunity for train-
ing with both hands, and has achieved professional qualifica-
tions in Tractor Driving, Chainsaw Maintenance, Felling and
Winch Operation. He has also achieved the majority of his sawmilling qualifica-
tion and now has sufficient skills and experience to take his timber crane and
forwarding trailer qualification. Tony also took it upon himself to undertake road trailer training and he
is currently awaiting a test to achieve the qualification. Due to the increasing workload brought on
by the rapid expansion of WiseWoods Wales, Tony is now the regular driver of the tractor and timber
trailer and is effectively in charge of timber extraction on site.
Tony is eager to participate in the day to day business decisions of WiseWoods Wales, as well as
supervising volunteers and being involved in product design and development. He has also been an
invaluable part of several trade shows and open days. Tony’s commitment to WiseWoods Wales has
never been in doubt, and he is always willing to go the extra mile by coming in early or staying late
when necessary to ensure a smooth running operation.
Feedback: “The quality of training I have received in the past 8 months has
given me the skills and competence to continue working within woodland
management far beyond what I originally expected. I hope that I can help
build WiseWoods Wales as an organisation and help to maintain it into the
future.” Tony Vallance
“Tony can now be trusted to operate machinery on site without supervision. He can be left in sole
charge of the site and of all the volunteers. Tony’s timekeeping and reliability is beyond reproach, as is
his positive working attitude and friendly manner when dealing with customers. We are delighted with
Tony’s performance and attitude and he has been one of the key reasons for our rapid expansion and
hoped-for business success. As we approach the end of Tony’s Apprenticeship, it is abundantly clear
that we would find it difficult to operate without him, so it is our intention to offer Tony a continuation of
his paid employment. I am sure that he will continue to be an integral part of our operation, as he will
be given added responsibility for overseeing the general Health & Safety of volunteers on site.”
Andy Bakewell, WiseWoods Wales Business Manager
Tony Vallance
The Apprenticeship Project - Woodland Management Apprenticeships
Milo has continued to work with his Mentor, Rob Smith’s in his
woodland, helping to bring it back to health. During the summer
months, much of the work has involved processing the timber
felled earlier in the season. One notable achievement was the
creation of a wooden bridge over a small stream to aid access.
Back in May, woodsman Ben Gray paid a visit with his chainsaw mill, showing
Milo how to use it and adding yet another string to his bow.
Milo has continued to assist WiseWoods Wales with their operations in Llanfarian and also gave a
demonstration on the pole lathe on the WiseWoods Wales stand at the Aberystwyth Show. Milo passed
his CS31 Chainsaw felling assessment in July - an achievement which should offer more employ-
ment opportunities in the future. In addition to this, Milo is putting finishing touches to an Agored Cymru
Level 3 unit in Sustainable Woodland Management.
Milo has some work lined up, including tuition on a spoon-carving course for Tir Coed, and some
fencing work with woodsman, Ben Gray. Milo would like to go into self-employment, but wants to work
towards getting a vehicle first. The Project Manager is looking into potential supported employment op-
portunities.
Milo Ames
Feedback: “I have definitely increased my woodland management knowledge, I
feel more confident of my skills.” Milo Ames
“Milo has proved himself to be trustworthy, loyal and conscientious. In all aspects
of woodland work, Milo shows great care and attention. He is highly motivated to
continue in this line of work. He is a friendly and outgoing young man, a real asset
to woodlands of the future!” Milo has been an asset to myself and my woodland
venture, which I feel has had a successful first year, much thanks to him.
Rob Smith, Mentor
The Apprenticeship Project - Woodland Management Apprenticeships
Tir Coed has two more Woodland Management Apprenticeship Placements on offer.
The 8 month apprenticeship placements will offer practical training in a wide variety of
low-impact sustainable woodland management techniques, as well as wood product
development. The Apprentices will be given training in the correct use of hand tools
and processing machinery, as well as an introduction to woodland ecology.
This year, one of the placements will be with WiseWoods Wales, based in Llanfarian, Aberystwyth,
and the other will be working with the team at Coedwig Gymunedol Long Wood Community
Woodland, near Lampeter. Both of the placements are woodland management based, but they differ
in emphasis, WiseWoods Wales leaning more towards product development, and Long Wood towards
community involvement in woodlands.
The placements are due to start in October. For more details, contact Becky on
[email protected] or 07813 170676
Self-assessed learning outcomes for the two Woodland Management Apprentices, who finished their
Apprenticeships in July, are as follows:
New Opportunities for Apprentices!
Percentage increase between start and end of Apprenticeship placements Milo Tony
I feel confident using practical skills to manage woodlands. 10% 40%
I feel confident using practical skills to create products from wood 50% 30%
I feel confident working in a group 10% 0%
I feel confident communicating with others 0% 10%
I have good knowledge about how to manage woodlands for products, wildlife & people
10% 30%
I have good knowledge about environmental issues 10% 30%
I have good knowledge about the value of woodlands and their products 20% 10%
I have a clear idea of what I want to do in the future 20% 10%
Results
The Apprenticeship Project - Wood Construction Apprenticeship
Chris has had a very steep learning curve since joining timber
framer, Jamie Miller, along with co-worker, Ray Miller back in
April. Over the Summer, Chris has been involved in several tim-
ber framing projects including a smoking shelter for Coleg
Ceredigion, 2 compost toilets, a visitor information stand & a
shed. Chris has been involved in all stages of the operation, from
extracting larch from a plantation near Lampeter, to preparing the timber, joint
work & installation. Chris has also had a taster of facilitation, assisting Jamie
with the Tir Coed furniture-making project with YMCA Llandovery volunteers.
The high point of the last 3 months for Chris was a trip to Glastonbury Festival
with his team to run timber-framing workshops for festival-goers. Over the
course of the festival, Chris helped to run 3 x 1 hour workshops, during which
the best part of a timber frame was created. Chris used his short experience
with Jamie to instruct the volunteers in traditional timber framing techniques.
The workshops proved very popular and the whole crew have been invited back
to the craft field in 2014.
In the coming months, Chris is lucky enough to have the exceptional opportunity
of assisting Jamie with the new Visitor Centre at Coedwig Gymunedol Long
Wood Community Woodland, Lampeter; an invaluable experience for a trainee
timber framer. The Project Manager is hoping to organise an Open Event in
Long Wood in the Autumn to showcase the work of the Wood Construction Ap-
prenticeship.
Feedback: “It has been a very wholesome experience working with Jamie and
Ray. I really look forward to all of the aspects of the Long Wood build. I am
learning skills that will enable me to be a truly valued member of any commu-
nity.” Chris Owen
Chris Owen
The Apprenticeship Project News
Tir Coed was delighted to be invited to the Royal
Welsh Show to meet with HRH Prince Charles at a
reception hosted by the Princes Countryside Fund.
Two Tir Coed Apprentices, Tony Vallance and
Chris Owen accompanied Project Manager, Becky
Hulme and Finance Manager, Anna Crane-Jones
to the show and met with the Prince. The Prince
chatted with the Tir Coed representatives briefly,
expressing an interest in the nature of the appren-
ticeships and emphasising the importance of pre-
serving traditional skills and crafts for future gen-
erations.
After the reception, the Tir Coed team joined Llais
Y Goedwig (the Community Woodland Network in Wales) on their stand, to help
them promote the benefits of woodlands for local communities. The team helped
out by giving demonstrations on the shave horse and by helping children to have-
a-go. An enjoyable day was had by all with plenty of new connections made.
On a very hot and sunny day in July, Apprentice Chris Owen, co-worker Ray Miller, Mentor Jamie
Miller and Project Manager Becky Hulme took a trip down to the Tywi Centre in Llandelio to take part
in a Sustainable Buildings Fair. The fair was designed to promote the benefits of energy efficiency in
the home, as well as natural building products. The team demonstrated traditional building skills by
raising a timber frame, which had been made previously at a workshop at Glastonbury festival (see
page 8). The weather was scorching and the team were relieved to stretch some canvas over the
structure to provide some shade.
The timber frame showcased the use of local roundwood larch in structures
and illustrated the maximum size of building that can be erected next to an
existing property. There was abundant interest from visitors and exhibitors in
both Tir Coed’s activities and in the timber frame; several potential orders
were received for timber framed buildings as a result.
The Royal Welsh Show
Sustainable Building Fair
News
A variety of wood craft stalls were pitched at the
Village Hall, including a ‘One Tree Day’ stall. Prod-
ucts, from benches to carvings and turned bowls
were all on display, made from the single sweet
chestnut tree felled in March during the ‘One Tree
Day’ event. The event gave craftspeople the oppor-
tunity to select a section of the tree to convert,
demonstrating the wealth of uses for local, sustain-
ably sourced timber. In due course, you will be able
to see the final products on the Tir Coed website.
WiseWoods Wales Operations Manager, Rob
Smith explained: “The day was a great opportunity
for local people to find out how WiseWoods Wales
have been working to restore the ancient wood-
land at Coed Tyllwyd through selective thinning
and low-impact management techniques. We’ve
been bowled over by the amount of enthusi-
asm and positive feedback we’ve received from
visitors. They really
have been getting hands-on experience and we hope
that all of this will help to shed light on how important
woodlands and woodland management are in helping to
sustain the local economy, and local wildlife.”
The Tyllwyd Woodland Fair ran as part of ‘National
Countryside Week’, promoted by the Prince’s Coun-
tryside Fund which supports Tir Coed’s Appren-
ticeship Project. It aims to raise awareness of the impor-
tance of the countryside to the UK and recognise the
people and organisations working to maintain and promote rural Britain. The Wood-
land Fair celebrated everything that is special about the Welsh countryside and en-
couraged local people to embrace the great outdoors.
Woodland Fair Success
Apprentice Milo Ames demonstrating on the pole lathe
Renowned Chainsaw carver, Ed Harrison displays his skills
Rob Smith showing a young enthusiast how to mill a plank
WiseWoods trainee, Mark Atkinson helps visitors to make a birdbox
WWW volunteer & carver, Anna Thomas (left), shows volunteers and visitors her wood bugs
Supported by:
Continued from page 1
WiseWoods Wales (WWW)
The beginning of summer 2013 was dominated by preparations for the Aberystwyth Show. There was a great turnout by WiseWoods Wales volunteers, all giving up their weekend to tend the two WWW
stalls at the show. Numerous styles of planters, benches, picnic benches, potting tables, bird box kits and folding chairs were displayed, as well as working demonstrations of the timber crane, the sawmill and the manual cross-cut saw. The sales stand was custom designed and built by WWW staff and volunteers especially for the show. All of this work paid off by being awarded ‘Best Trade Stand in Show’ which was presented to the WWW Business Manager, Andy Bakewell by Aberystwyth Mayor, Wendy Morris-Twiddy. As a direct result of the show, the saw-mill travelled from the show to three mobile milling jobs in the local area before re-turning to site for production duties. WWW trained staff oper-ated the mill on all three occasions. The products displayed at the show were taken to Newman’s Nursery, who have generously allowed WWW to have their own product stand on a ‘sale or return’ basis. Gavin Doram (a WWW volunteer) will manage the display to ensure that it stays in ‘tip-top’ condition and that the product range matches seasonality demands. WWW products are also on display at Borth Nursery. After the ‘One Tree Day’ organised by Tir Coed, the sequel open day, ‘Tyllwyd Woodland Fair’ was arranged to show off all of the products made from the chestnut tree felled at the earlier event. This was to be a real test of the progress of the WWW team as the Business Manager was on annual leave for the event. The day was a resounding success, with an ori-enteering course, a live demonstration circuit, showing all of the activities carried out by WWW and a craft fair held at Llanfarian village hall. The event was highly successful in publicising and explaining WiseWoods
Wales’ activities and in including the local community. WWW also attended an open day run by Natural Resources Wales at the Rheidol Visitor Centre, and helped children construct 20 bird and bug boxes using WWW DIY kits. Looking ahead to the autumn/winter felling season, WWW is planning to give its employees and volunteers more opportunities for training and employment. Four WWW volunteers have already gained a Level 2 Award in Chainsaw Maintenance, Cross-cutting and Felling (up to 15” diameter). WWW will now be offering a woodland management service to small woodland owners, hopefully starting in September 2013. WWW is also working with Ray Ceredigion to provide playground structures and equipment for 12 locations in the local area. Designs are currently being planned with community groups at the 12 locations and prototype constructions are underway at Coed Tyllwyd. The first contract is due to begin construction shortly in Capel Seion Village Hall. WWW is moving into another new phase, becoming more profes-sional and edging towards becoming financially self-sustaining as the start-up funding begins to taper off.
WiseWoods Wales (WWW) Update