Category: News/Updates

Swallows and Earthburn!

A couple of pictures of the recent charcoal earthburn event organised by Brian Crawley and Dan Sumner at Glas Knott Wood, commemorating the filming of an earthburn in that exact location for the Swallows and Amazons film 50 years ago. We/they may do another one at some point. Watch this space…

Covering the stack of burning logs with turf.
Cooling of the spoils before bagging up.

In case you’re wondering what an earthburn is (and you’d be forgiven to wonder, especially as we don’t have many photos here to explain things!)… Basically, you pile up some logs, set fire to them, cover them in earth to cut out the oxygen, then let the wood gently cook overnight. The next day you have a pile of charcoal, perfect for cooking on! This method of making charcoal was still being used commercially into the last century. Brian has done great work over the years in re-learning the process, and passing on his knowledge to others.

NCFed Gathering & AGM (13-15 Oct)

There are still tickets remaining for the NCFed gathering and pre-gathering courses. Once in a blue moon it happens up north, & this year is that year!

More info & bookings at: https://ncfed.org.uk/members/agm2023/

***** NCFed is also looking to recruit new Directors & a new Secretary.

(Role descriptions & application form below)

The Director role (there is more than one place available) is undertaken on a voluntary basis, but is crucial in guiding the direction of the organisation and making decisions on behalf of you – NCFed’s members. NCFed is really starting to make some waves in the woodland management/forestry sphere and, as it grows, so to does the need for new Directors to step forward and take a role in shaping the future of the coppicing industry. Applicants will need to be nominated by their affiliated group (nomination form is below). If you are interested, please complete the below form and return it to [email protected]before 6th October 2023.

The NCFed Secretary does not need to become a Director and the position is paid. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in applying, please express your interest to [email protected]before 6th October 2023.

NCFed-Director-Nomination-FormDownload
NCFed-Job-Description-DirectorDownload
NCFed-Job-Description-SecretaryDownload

Earthburn at Ickenthwaite, Rusland Fri28th-Mon31st Sept.

Dan Sumner is leading this with support of Coppice Association North West, Lake District Planning Board, Cumbria Woodlands, Rusland Horizons, and the Arthur Ransome Society. The burn is to be a 50th year celebration of the filming of the Swallows and Amazons film visit to the charcoal burners as well as the making of the Mike Dow film “The Charcoal Burners of High Furness” with Jack Allonby and Bill Norris and the David Jones book photographs of Jack Allonby and Bill Norris burn all at this site.
There is no money in it but all are welcome to attend any part of it.
Please contact Dan directly if you want to come or for more information.
[email protected] / 015394 37844.

Oak Bark Peeling

There will be a work day at Moss & Height Springs Wood, Bouth, on 19th June (Monday). The day is organised by BHMAT & all CANW members are invited.

Please drop Twiggy a line if you intend to come ([email protected])

The task will be peeling oak trees, possibly one of the most satisfying things one can do on a summer’s day. If you don’t believe me just watch this with the sound on: https://youtu.be/-bdcXtBK5kw

The bark goes to the last remaining oak bark tannery in the UK (JFJ Baker) with proceeds donated to BHMAT.

If you’re interested in the process of oak bark leather tanning, see here: https://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/the-process

If you haven’t been to one of these events it’s generally a great chance to hang out with some woodspeople & learn loads of stuff…

Heritage Crafts Red List

The Heritage Crafts Association is preparing to publish its latest assessment of threatened crafts under its Redist here – http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/. NCFed has been asked to contribute. If you have not already been consulted and think you might fill in any gaps in numbers, individuals or states of crafts, here’s a link to an online survey – https://forms.office.com/e/kAgjDq59PW.

Since the last version, published in April 2021, new crafts have been added to the lists and of course many will have been buffeted by the tides of Brexit and Covid. HCA are particularly keen to have our help in an accurate assessment of Wattle Hurdles and Spars.

This survey is the first of its kind in this place and invites structured attention to some of the wide range of skills and trades derived from stick farming that we discuss here. If you have comments about this work or you or any of your members would like to help NCFed keep an eye on any trade(s) in particular, please email [email protected]. All contributions welcome.

Moss & Height Springs Wood work party dates for your diary

28th March 2023
We need to get the deer fence up round Mike and Dans section at the top of the byway. A mob handed group is required to get this done. Please bring fencing tools if you have them, and gusto. If not there’ll be plenty stuff to do that doesn’t require your own tools. All help appreciated. Start 9.30am

18th April 2023
We’ll tackle the fencing around Lorna’s old coupe that’s now being cut by Andrew.

If you need more details please contact Ian Taylor at [email protected]