WoodlandsTV
Working with Flax and Nettles
Here at Bentley Woodfair we see expert Allan Brown talking us through the various processes involved in preparing flax and nettles ready for hand spinning - from growing, cutting, drying and storing through to working the plant to reduce it to its most useful natural fibres. Allan uses traditional equipment, adopting specific techniques to best work the flax. We appreciate how, in times past, this would have had enormous production value - as flax and nettles were used to make all sorts of crucial items, from sails and bed sheets to clothes and cordage - and this skill still has its value today. For more info, please email: [email protected]
http://www.bentley.org.uk/ An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv
Making and Playing a Didgeridoo
Tall Paul (Paul Cook) shares his passion for all things didgeridoo - explaining the principles of making these wonderful wind instruments and how choice of timber (from beech to eucalyptus) effects sound quality - creating varying tones, reverberations and volume. Tall Paul also demonstrates the specific playing methods and circular breathing techniques needed to produce the distinctive didgeridoo sound - all at the Bentley Woodfair http://www.bentley.org.uk/
http://www.didgetallpaul.co.uk/ An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv
Starting a Forest Garden
Here Lisa Aitken and Charles Hooper describe how they have created a Forest Garden - an open woodland ecosystem using a range of trees, shrubs and plants for harvest. They share their joint passion for horticulture, self-sufficiency and their desire to work with the land to leave a lasting legacy. They talk us through the design process which includes seven layers of growth with the aim of cultivating the space available to increase biodiversity. Lisa and Charles point out the importance of understanding the condition of the soil, of growing plants for sun or shade in relevant areas, as well as the bonus of having accessible water on site - all with the reassurance that gardening knowledge will increase over time, just as the forest garden will grow and thrive, providing fruit, vegetables, nuts and more for years to come. http://www.forestgarden.info/ An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv
Buying a Wood: What is the Small Woodland Owners` Group (SWOG)?
Advice from the agents of Woodlands.co.uk and the Small Woodland Owners` Group (SWOG) about managing your woodland. For more information contact the agents direct via:
http://www.woodlands.co.uk/about-us/contact-us.php and SWOG http://www.swog.org.uk/
Stone Age Hunter Gatherers
Here historical expert Martin Patterson shares his vast knowledge of the Stone Age Hunter Gatherer period. His passion and skill is obvious as he shows us a range of replica tools and equipment he has fashioned from natural materials including a flint-headed axe, a scythe from deer antler, a fire-hardened digging stick and a range of spears for hunting - explaining how these would have been used and maintained in the Stone Age. Martin shows us needles from bone; how pine resin, soot and bees wax can make a sort of glue and how stinging nettle fibre would have been used like string to make trapping nets. He stresses the importance of looking after the natural environment - then and now - to encourage new growth and to ensure a regular harvest. http://www.handsonhistory.co.uk/. An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv
Industrial Hemp
Nathaniel, Rhys and Yolanda share their passion for the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of growing, processing and using industrial hemp. Not to be confused with its `cousin` plant marijuana, licensed industrial hemp (in this case cannabis sativa) must be grown to contain a level of less than 0.2% THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) - the psychoactive constituent of cannabis. This versatile plant only takes 4 months to mature and the whole plant can be used - roots, stems, leaves, buds and seeds for food, clothing and supplements eg the fibres for fabric and the seeds for oils. The seeds are high in protein and contain a wide range of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids eg health-promoting anti-oxidants and omega 3. The hemp we see here is produced on the South Downs but there are various varieties to suit different climates and soil conditions. http://www.vitalityhemp.com/ An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv
Artists Retreat in the Woodlands
The Forge offers volunteers and creative individuals a place to explore the outdoor arts sector. They organise events such as the "Just So" Festival, which takes families out of their day to day lives into enchanting places and stories. They believe in the power of a moment of wonder to open a families eyes to the magic in everyday life.
For more info please visit www.wildrumpus.org.uk
Cold Water Swimming in the Woodlands
Eliza Kaczynska-Nay shows us the benefits of cold water swimming.
Sculpting with a Chainsaw in the Woodlands
Chainsaw Sculptor Ste Iredale demonstrates how to carve with a chainsaw.
For more info on the work that he does, find him on Facebook.
Making Charcoal with the Exeter Retort
Alan and Jo Waters are expert charcoal makers with many years experience of this traditional skill from the land they coppice. Here they speak about the benefits of charcoal production using the Exeter Retort. They join with Geoff Self and Robin Rawle, designers and manufacturers of this Retort, to explain their experiences of the benefits of this method compared to traditional ring kilns - that the Retort produces more charcoal, that it has a shorter burn time, is cleaner, more efficient, easily accessible and transportable, and that it ultimately produces better quality charcoal - ideal for small woodland owners. [email protected] http://www.carboncompost.co.uk/ An Adliberate film http://www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV http://www.woodlands.co.uk/tv