Woodland Networking Day

Community Woodland Networking Day

Report

September 2007

Organized and hosted by Nanteos Woodland Group,

supported by the Community Woodland Network and Coed Lleol

On the 12th of October 2007 people representing the diversity of activities involving the woodlands of Wales converged in Llanfarian village hall. The main aim of the day was to offer the chance for groups and individuals involved with woodlands to discuss their woodland projects with other groups in Wales. It was a great opportunity to find out more about woodland management, funding, insurance, constitutions, forest schools etc.

After a lively introduction by Matthew Young of Nanteos Woodland Group, Jerry Langford gave an overview of the work of the Woodland Trust in Wales. This was followed by an update by Katy Harris on the progress of the Coed Lleol project. Stephen Buckley of the Forestry Commission Wales presented the Better Woodlands for Wales strategy and talked about the social importance of woods.

A large part of the morning was given to informal networking. It was wonderful to see everyone enthusiastically speaking together and exchanging ideas and coming up with new plans. A wonderful buffet lunch and selection of delicious cakes was provided, not forgetting copious amounts of tea and coffee that helped keep spirits high.

A visit in the afternoon to the Coed Tyllwyd Woodland, managed by Nanteos Woodland Group, brought it all to life with demonstrations of mobile saw milling, timber extraction using a shute, sustainable woodland management, green wood working and sculpting. Matthew Young spoke of the experiences of Nanteos Woodland Group in setting up this project and the successes and difficulties.

The feedback from this event has been very positive and there is now enthusiasm and momentum to hold another similar event in the New Year. If you have any ideas or would like to be involved in the next event then please call Katy or Zena on 01970 890441 or email coedlleol@smallwoods.org.uk.

Coed Lleol would like to thank the Nanteos Woodland Group for hosting this event and for the support of the Community Woodland Network. Not least we would like to thank everyone who spent time to travel across Wales in order to get to this event.

Below are some of the organizations represented at this networking event:

Nanteos Woodland Group

www.nanteoswoodlangroup.co.uk

Community Woodland Network

www.woodland-trust.org.uk/communitywoodlandnetwork

Coed Lleol

www.coedlleol.org.uk

Forestry Commission Wales

www.forestry.gov.uk/wales

Small Woods Association

www.smallwoods.org.uk

Green Woods Centre