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

becky@tircoed.org.uk 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