It hardly seems a couple of weeks ago that we were putting up our billhooks at the end of the last coppicing season, and already we are looking to the start of the next one. As always we are in great need of volunteers to help with the work during the winter months. This is the most important part of the Woodlanders activities, and we need as much help as we can get to maintain the excellent effort we have managed to date.

We will be working in the wood every Sunday from clock change to clock change. For those of you who prefer real calendar dates that is, 31st. October to 27th. March. We will be in the wood every Sunday morning (unless the weather is very wet) from 9.30a.m. There will, as usual, be a two-week break at Christmas(26th. December & 2nd. January).

Brian sharpening up for some coppicing

This season we will be concentrating our efforts on three separate areas. Before Christmas we will be focussing on the Northern boundary edging the stream (cant D), and the far South West corner of our wood (cant T). After Christmas we will be working in the area beside the football field (cant B).

Volunteers range from complete novices to people with years of experience. We provide training and tools, and newcomers are always given a lot of support. Most weeks we provide a kettle and water to make tea, but you do need to bring a mug. When we have a fire you are welcome to bring a potato to bake for lunch.

As with previous years we will be running four youth days, for organised groups, throughout the season. The dates of the youth days are, 20th November, 15th January, 12th February and 5th March. If you know of any organised groups of young people (8-16) who would like to join us please feel free to contact us. However, it is important that any group wishing to access these days provides sufficient adult supervisors.

-    by Malcolm Knight

Helen tends the bonfire