4 days ago
Pembrokeshire college keeping Welsh woodland crafts alive
Coppicewood College in Pembrokeshire has launched new courses, workshops, and volunteer sessions focused on sustainable woodland management, green woodworking, and traditional crafts.
The aim is to preserve traditional skills while giving people deeper, more meaningful ways to connect with nature and support Welsh woodlands.
Tracey Styles, lead tutor at the college, said: "By providing the necessary learning and skills, we give woodlands the chance to flourish in Wales.
"Woodland crafts provide so much to the woodland worker from reduced anxiety to improved fitness and a wealth of new skills.
"We're providing the opportunity to spend time in nature through heritage crafts while sustainably managing woodlands.
"These skills can provide an income for people and are particularly important in a time of environmental turmoil and increasingly screen-focussed living."
The college, based in Pengelli Forest, has been promoting and protecting these crafts for 20 years.
Although some heritage practices like hazel basketmaking and pole lathe bowl turning are making a comeback, others remain at risk of being lost.
The college believes these skills give woodlands renewed value in today's world.
Its current programme includes workshops such as How to Pole Lathe on August 9, Tree ID in Summer on August 10, and Kimchi and Kitchen Treen on September 13.
A Small Scale Charcoal Production workshop will be held on October 4, followed by Introduction to Coppicing & Products on November 9.
Additional courses planned for later in the year include a Hand Carved Comb Workshop in December, Willow Hearts & Hazel Flowers in February, Hedgelaying in February, Make a Shave Horse in March, and Cleft Gate Making in April.
Workshops can be booked via the Craft Courses website.
Details about volunteering and other opportunities are available on the Coppicewood College website and social media channels.
