tir coed winter newsletter 2012 -13
DESCRIPTION
Tir Coed Newsletter Nov 2012 to Jan 2013TRANSCRIPT
Winter 2012-13 November 2012 - January 2013
Don’t Miss Tir Coed’s
Timber Construction Apprenticeship Recruiting Soon!
School visit to Name-sake Woods A primary school visit with pupils from Ysgol Rhys Prichard was or-
ganised to Poor Man’s Wood.
On a pleasant November morn-
ing, 10 pupils aged 7 – 9 years,
and 3 staff members came to
explore this Wildlife Trust Re-
serve. Environmental play facili-
tator, Jo Steadman, led the ac-
tivities, beginning with lunch and
toasted marshmallows around
the fire, then environmental ac-
tivities, including den-building
and nature exploration games.
Even though this woodland was
gifted to the town of Llandovery in
the 16th century by Vicar Rhys
Pritchard, the school’s name-sake,
the majority of the group had never
been to, or heard of this woodland.
The group thoroughly enjoyed the
afternoon, and the staff said that
they would visit the Reserve with
pupils in the future.
The children commented: “I loved
what we did today.”, “I’m going to
come here again over the week-
end”, “(it was) special” and, “I liked
falling over in the mud!”
There are 4 extra sessions planned at Poor Man’s Wood during Feb-
ruary. We are inviting back the young volunteers from both previous
programmes to undertake coppicing work on the hazel that borders
the main footpath. As well as opening up the access through the
Reserve, the coppicing work will bring much-needed sunlight into the
Reserve, which will help to revitalise the woodland flora.
Newsletter
WICKED Branching Out / Egin
Inside this Newsletter
• Communities And Nature
• The VINE Pilot • Monitoring and
Evaluation
• The Apprenticeship Project
• Branching Out/Egin News
• WiseWoods Wales
Guided Walk
Coed Simdde Lwyd Tuesday 26th March
10:00am
Leader: Red Liford
Length: 3 miles
Grade: very steep .
Bring: suitable footwear
Meet: Rheidol Power Station Visitor Centre car park, Cwm Rheidol
Contact [email protected]
Communities And Nature
Pengelli Forest, Eglwyswrw June 2012 to March 2013
With more works for the group scheduled, including a carved wel-
come sign and the creation of benches to form a ‘fire circle’, the
Pengelli programme has been extended to March. It is hoped that
the new welcome sign will encourage more passers-by to visit this
65 hectare ancient woodland. The fire circle, to be installed in the
woodland clearing, will encourage use by the local primary school;
the Head Teacher wishes her pupils to build a relationship with
the Reserve as part of their outdoor learning programme. There
will be 3 woodland exploration days organised during March to
help introduce the school to the woodland; see the Spring News-
letter for details.
This Branching Out programme has been incredibly fluid, with volunteers
moving in and out of the programme, due to a variety of life-changes and so-
cial problems, but we are pleased to welcome another 4 new volunteers to
the group. The 6 current volunteers have completed a very attractive foot-
bridge over a small stream, which enables visitors to complete a circular route
around the Reserve. The group have started on building and installing board-
walk sections which will aid visitor access to the wetter parts of the site —
muddy work, but well worth it!
Lead: Jamie Miller Support: Steve Parkin Tasters: 4 Sessions: 25 No. volunteer days: 130 No. volunteer hours: 771 Total no. volunteers 18 No. current volunteers: 6
Feedback: “We had a great time on
Tuesday. Unfortunately we cant make
next week (as it’s) the school half term
but xxx wanted to come along; he was
disappointed that he has to miss it. Ja-
mie is a fantastic bloke and a great fa-
cilitator! I forgot how good your projects
are! Thanks.”
Tim Evans,
Carmarthenshire Youth Service
Communities And Nature
Coed Simdde Lwyd, Cwm Rheidol October to November 2012
The volunteers at Coed Simdde Lwyd group are all teenagers
that have been referred from Rathbone Training. Unfortunately,
problems with Rathbone staffing, combined with the arduous
terrain have led to sporadic attendance for many of the young
people. However, 3 of the group have laboured hard on this
extremely steep site and the work that these young people
have produced is splendid, with the creation of a new footpath
of over 800 metres, enabling 1.5 km of new access. The young
people have also installed information panels and created 2
benches, using Coed Simdde oak.
Now that the works are completed there has been a guided
walk organised at Coed Simdde which will be led by bird ex-
pert Red Liford. The walk will take a route through the oak
woodland on the new footpath. A strenuous climb, but walkers will be rewarded by spectacular views across the Rheidol Valley.
Lead: Rob Smith Support: Trina Earl Sessions: 12 No. volunteer days: 29 No. volunteer hours: 145 Total no. volunteers 7 No. current volunteers: 3
Accreditation: Agored Cymru (OCN) Unit Level Total
Achieved Practical Conservation Skills 1 1
Most participants didn’t complete accreditation, due to leaving project early
Progression Work placement
Cambrian Printers 1
Tuesday 26th March 10:00am
Leader: Red Liford Length: 3 miles
Grade: very steep footpaths Bring: suitable footwear
Meet: Rheidol Power Station Visitor Centre car park, Cwm Rheidol
Volunteering In the Natural Environment (VINE) Pilot
Coed Tyllwyd, North Ceredigion, - August to December 2012
The Coed Tyllwyd group
has been a particularly fluid one with a number of participants joining & leaving in relatively quick
succession. Dyfed-Powys Police has discovered the benefits of Tir Coed
projects and has been able to refer and support some of its ‘New Road’
clients to join in these woodland opportunities. Positive links have now
been made and this partnership has proved to be very fruitful so far. There has been a solid core of 3 individuals who have continued through-
out to be very hard-working and committed, often braving atrocious
weather in order to complete the tasks in hand.
On a few occasions, when the weather conditions have been too severe, notably during periods of extreme high winds, the group has retreated to
Coed Tamsin where the workshops have provided some welcome respite,
warmth and a variety of other skill development opportunities.
Tool maintenance and refurbishment turned out to be quite a hit with the
participants; discovering how to sharpen tool blades correctly as well as learning how to make replacement handles, from selecting the timber to
marking, shaping and securing it ready for use. Each individual grew in
stature with a great sense of pride and achievement and was eager to
show off their handiwork to visitors, friends and family alike. The group
has definitely benefitted from Bob Shaw’s immense skills & knowledge in all things ’woodland’, whether it be the processes of low impact woodland
management and the importance of biodiversity, or understanding more
about the tools of the trade. Bob and Ffion have proved to be an incredi-
ble team, sensitively catering for each individuals needs, whilst offering challenges with support to boost confidence!
More achievements will come for the 3 participants who have managed to
complete their Agored Cymru Sustainable Woodland Management 1,2 &
3, Level 1 units. Workbooks are being assessed and certificates will be
applied for once this process is completed. Well Done all!
Lead: Bob Shaw Support: Ffion Farnell Tasters: 4 Sessions: 27 No. volunteer days: 113 No. volunteer hours: 874 Total no. volunteers 11 No. current volunteers 3
Volunteering In the Natural Environment (VINE) Pilot
Bolbro Woods, Abermule, Powys - November 2012 to March 2013
The second VINE Pilot group started in the
middle of November with a small number of
participants attending the first few sessions.
A huge amount of work has been done locally, by the support tutor, to publicise the project and
encourage referrals from a wide variety of organisations and youth agencies. Although there is
much interest in the project and the benefits it can provide, it seems that so far this has not trans-
lated into direct referrals. Where it has, the motivation of the individuals concerned has not been
strong and several have wavered at the slightest opportunity, never to be seen again!
The bad weather, particularly the snow, has often added to the difficulties, but all credit goes to
Colin, the tutor & Carol, the support tutor, for ensuring that the sessions each week provide lots of
positive activities for those who do attend.
There is now an established core of 3 participants who are totally committed to learning new skills
and developing their understanding of woodland management processes. They have begun thin-
ning in an area of woodland not touched for the last 30 years. Coppicing skills have been the
main focus but the group has also started to learn about how to process the thinnings; selecting
and sorting for different uses, learning how to cleave smaller timbers or how to split large logs for
firewood, developing a greater under-
standing of how and why habitat piles
are created as well as how to dispose
of any waste through a process of
controlled burning.
The group are now keen to start work
on their Agored Cymru, Level 1 Sus-
tainable Woodland Management unit
and are building up their skills to en-
sure that this will become a positive
record of their achievements.
Lead: Colin Titley Support: Carol Thomas Tasters: 4 Sessions: 14 No. volunteer days: 52 No. volunteer hours: 360 Total no. volunteers 5 No. current volunteers 3
Monitoring and Evaluation
Positive feedback comments from project participants.
How do you feel this project has helped you?
Do you think you have achieved more than you expected to?
Any Improvements?
Monitoring Questionnaire
“Helped hugely!
Learnt new skills and made me
more confident with tool use.”
“ Helped me meet people with
similar interests and taught
me new skills.”
“Amazing experience!
Forged new friendships.” “It gave me the time & space
to build up my confidence &
now I’ve passed my driving
test!”
“I have met some brilliant, inspiring
people.
I have gained more confidence for
woodworking & woodland
management”
“It’s helped me to gain
confidence & learn new
skills, like getting to meet
people”
“Yes, I cut down a tree with
an axe!”
“Not more, as I am
ambitious and have high
expectations of myself”
“less questionnaires!!”
“Yes, picked up a wealth of
knowledge. Hands-on
instruction has helped.”
“No improvements!
It’s been excellent!”
“Yes, I’ve learnt how to
use different tools”
The Apprenticeship Project
Interviews for the 2 Woodland Management Appren-
tices took place in early November. 7 candidates
undertook practical exercises at Coed Tyllwyd in
Llanfarian. The tasks were chosen to demonstrate
the candidates’ stamina, agility, group work and tool
accuracy. The candidates were all very focused and
their work vigorous. It was extremely difficult to se-
lect for formal interviews in the afternoon, as all of the candidates would
have benefitted from and brought a lot to an Apprenticeship, but unfortunately the choice had to be
made and 4 went through to the second stage.
Following the selection process, 2 Apprentices came into post in the last week of November. Tony
Vallance has been placed with Tir Coed’s Social Enterprise, WiseWoods Wales whilst Milo Ames is
being mentored by Woodsman Rob Smith, and is undertaking a variety of woodland work, with Wise-
Woods, at Rob’s wood in Newquay, and is also assisting Rob on Tir Coed volunteer projects.
Tony has undertaken a vast number of tasks and achieved a great deal in the short time that he’s
been working with WiseWoods. After starting the placement with helping to assemble the WiseWoods
new saw mill (yes, it arrived in many separate boxes!) he has been undertaking much-needed thin-
ning at Coed Tyllwyd, as well as helping with footpath improvement and product development. At the
Llanarchaeron Winter Fair in December, Tony trialled his design for decorative reindeer, which was
very popular with customers. Tony has recently passed his chainsaw (CS30 & 31) assessment, and
also achieved an NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations (FMO1) certificate; he is currently under-
taking FMO training to operate the WiseWoods saw mill.
Milo has also been working hard with Rob to bring an undermanaged woodland back to health. This
has involved tree selection and felling, as well as bramble clearance. Milo undertook the 3-day chain-
saw training but has decided to wait until he has had more practice before he undertakes an assess-
ment. He has also been helping WiseWoods with workbench construction. In addition to his work
with Tir Coed, Milo is also spending 2 days a week with Ben Gray at Pen yr Allt woods, helping with
volunteer groups and managing this woodland with Ben.
Tony’s design for wooden reindeer went down a treat at
the Christmas Fair
Branching Out/ Egin News
Following a successful first round People and Places application to the Big Lot-
tery Fund, the Tir Coed Development Officer is working towards the final appli-
cation. Tir Coed will know the outcome of this funding application by September
2013.
VINE (Volunteering In the Natural Environment) will focus on 3 woodland sites,
Coed Tyllwyd near Aberystwyth, Long Wood, Lampeter and Allt Goch in Llanid-
loes. Community consultations carried out so far, and discussions with commu-
nity woodland groups and other organisations highlight that VINE is a much
needed project in the area, and the Tir Coed team are excited about its devel-
opment.
Tir Coed is also seeking funding from the Tudor Trust to implement VINE and
has been successful in the first application round.
Funding for Tools, publicity and Instructor fees, as well as a large canvas tent
for Open Activity days has been awarded to Tir Coed by Cynnal y Cardi.
Tir Coed has also been awarded £5,000 from the Lottery Awards for All pro-
gramme, to deliver a Pilot project in the Heads of the Valleys. The project will
take place over the Spring months.
Tir Coed is currently awaiting news on 3 funding applications for future work –
keep your fingers crossed!
The One Tree Day invites local artists and craftspeople to join Tir Coed to explore the creative possibilities provided by a single chestnut tree,
at Coed Tyllwyd, Llanfarian, on Wednesday 20th March at 10am. From when it was first planted, through its years of growth and management, to
the felling of the tree and its milling, to the wood users that will be working with
the chestnut timber; all of this forms part of the tree’s life-story.
This is your opportunity to get involved in a unique project! The One Tree Day will give participants the opportunity to select a section of
Chestnut and convert it using imagination as a guide!
One Tree Day participants will be able to exhibit and sell their finished work at
Coed Tyllwyd Open Day on Sunday 28th July
Contact: [email protected] for more details
n
VINE Funding Update
The One Tree Day
WiseWoods Wales (WWW)
The winter period has been very productive for WiseWoods
Wales.
Despite very heavy rain and
high winds, we have man-
aged to complete our wood
products shelter, so at least we have a dry place to work if the side
winds aren’t too strong!
At the beginning of the year
three apprentices and one volunteer took a chainsaw tree felling
course. Following the training, two of the apprentices, Tony Val-
lance and Ben Morgan were successful in passing the assess-
ment for their NPTC Chainsaw test.
We have also carried out a tractor and winching course, and
Andy Bakewell and Tony Vallance have successfully passed this
training.
Orders have been flooding in for firewood shelters, work benches, firewood and sawn timber.
One notable order is for seven chunky benches for the Ystwyth Trail which is being supported by Cere-
digion County Council and the local Community Council.
We are also supporting the local primary school (Llanfarian) by
donating some bird box making kits for the children to assemble.
We are now working hard to build up timber stocks to last us
through the nesting season.
In the pipeline are timber milling assessments and timber trailer
and crane assessments.
We have now taken delivery of all of the essential pieces of
equipment for the project. The tractor, winch, sawmill, timber
trailer and woodsplitter. We have also built up a good stock of
woodworking and ground working tools.
WiseWoods Wales is showing a steady income from wood
products and professional training courses, so as we head
into spring there is much to be optimistic about.
WiseWoods Wales Update
Business Manager: Andy Bakewell Site Supervisor: Rob Smith No. volunteer days: 39 No. volunteer hours: 337 No. of volunteers: 14