TREE to TIMBER -The Traditional Way

Saturday 28th Feb
Ringshall Village Hall

The Tree to Timber event was a great success. The hall was crowded with experts and enthusiasts all coming together to learn, discover and network.

As people arrived they had the opportunity to view the display boards showing information and photographs of the forthcoming greenwood working courses taking place at OBee (Orchard Barn Environmental Education). There was also a chance to find out more about the OBee project, with opportunities to support or volunteer. One of the most useful displays was left blank, but headed Networking. This gave people the opportunity to display their business cards and contact details, and put forward any requests or ideas.

The talks were all inspirational and fascinating and we learnt about ‘The History and Function of Suffolk Woods', ‘Traditional Oak Carpentry' and of course ‘Orchard Barn Environmental Education'.

A mammoth task of producing teas, coffees and 120 lunches of hearty soup and rolls was no mean feat, the kitchen was buzzing with volunteers continuously washing-up and serving. This was all done with such efficiency there was very little queuing whilst waiting to be served.

The afternoon was very exciting, starting off with Jason Roberts and Moonie, the cob horse, arriving with the locally felled oak. The wood was delivered to each one of the demonstrators: Rick Lewis displaying the ancient craft of hewing, David Davidson with his portable Lucas Mill, Richard Bates and his pole lathe, and Becky Westover cleaving oak shingles. Jason Roberts gave a fascinating talk about working with Moonie and all the equipment used to transport felled trees from the woods whist leaving little damage to the surrounding area.

After the event, having gathered all the information gleaned from the day, it was hailed a wonderful success. Here is a comment made by one couple who attended:

‘What an interesting and informative day you arranged last Saturday at Ringshall. It was truly inspirational and so encouraging to find that so many people attended. Thank you and all your colleagues and guest speakers/demonstrators who worked so hard to arrange and deliver the day.' Jane and Paul Heard.

Another success of the day was the announcement of and bookings taken for the green woodworking courses taking place at Orchard Barn. These are now becoming very popular, with the first course being fully booked. If you are interested in finding out more about the courses taking place, including cob building, please see the contact details below.

A big thank you to the Anglian Woodland Project for supporting this event, and to everyone involved in making the day flow really easily.

Justine Humphrey, Volunteer Co-ordinator

Photographs © Richard Smithson 2009

Contact information
To book your place or request more information about the courses and events, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone Sarah on 01473-658193.
Or visit www.orchardbarn.org.uk for more information about the project.

Photos (c) OBee 2009