WoodlandsTV - January 2011
Wolfshead Bowmen, woodland archery
A fascinating insight into the activities of one of the UK’s premier re-enactment groups. Demonstrating the use and power of the traditional long bow, they perform at events around the country. Woodlands TV met them at the Weald Wood Fair where people of all ages could “have a go”. Neil Eddiford describes the ethos of the group, and the power of the arrows which can penetrate chain mail or armour. There are different ways of shooting including “roving” in woodlands choosing different targets at unmarked distances.
Archery for woodlands, powerful bows and arrows
Long bows made from yew were used during the Hundred Years War. Neil Eddiford from Wolfshead Bowman describes the properties that made yew suitable for the long bow, and how often English yew wasn’t used at all. Other woods used for bows were ash and wych elm. He also looks at the arrows with fletchlings of goose feather, a bodkin point or a needle bodkin. These are serious weapons for medieval warfare, and Neil describes the range and penetration power these arrows could have. Wolfshead Bowmen are a re-enactment group and Woodlands TV met up with them at the Weald Wood Fair at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum.
Sustainable fuel from woodland and trees
By managing woodlands to provide fuel and building materials we can create a sustainable environment. Matthew Woodcock from the Forestry Commission illustrates the benefits of wood as a fuel with help from a poster. This eductional tool shows sources of wood such as upland woodland, fast growing willow ,coppice management, and community woodland to name a few. He also shows how logs can be used for timber buildings and the offcuts for wood chip heating. It includes a section showing children at school learning about the carbon cycle whilst also being kept warm by a wood chip boiler.