Latest Derby University Intern
Latest Derby University Intern
We have been working with the University of Derby for a few years now and I’m sure you will remember Chris Winson doing a piece of work on the wellbeing aspects of Heartwwood a couple of years ago and then Sophia Williams last year carried out a project looking at the benefits of Biochar.
We’re pleased to be working with the Uni again this year and have just offered a role to Megan Bell. Megan will be looking at the sustainability of Heartwood from both an environmental and a commercial aspect.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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National Forest Presentation
Philip Matcalfe of the National Forest will be presenting an update on current projects and the vision for the “Heart of the Forest” on 21st May at 7.00pm. Venue address is Ashby Woulds Community Centre (by the Village Hall) DE12 6DP.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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Nest Box Updates
Nigel Judson and Layla Alexadra are monitoring some of the nest boxes we have made and placed in the woods this year. There are 20 of the 45 at Foxley being monitored and 24 at Heart Wood (The Hub venue). Nigel is a qualifies bird ringer and as such is licences to inspect nest boxes and when the chicks are old enough, he will be ringing them.
The boxes at Heart Wood were put up by the Team from Givaudan on their corporate visits on the 25th & 27th April. They were inspected on the 17th April when 9 boxes already had nests being built, one of which had 9 eggs. All are either Blue or Great Tit.
The boxes at Foxley were put up by our team on the 22nd March. They were inspected on the 20th April. Of the 18 inspected 11 have nests, 6 of which have eggs. Again, they are all either Blue Tit or Great Tit. Once the young get a little older we should get a positive ID on which species they are.
We also have birds nesting in the structures at the Hub. Tree Creepers have made a home in the campfire wood store and Blackbirds have moved into one of the other charcoal wood stores. It seems the birds appreciate us building nest boxes and structures for them to use.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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Heartwood Charcoal
Charcoal production and sales have become an important part of our annual income. We made the decision a couple of months ago to invest in the build of two further charcoal burners, modelled on the Dartmoor Dragon. The current Retorts are still serviceable and continue to produce good quality charcoal, but the cycle time for production is relatively slow – the burners are run and need to cool overnight, so the volume is limited. The new burners have the capability to “re-load” once one barrel is complete, with trials so far enabling three cycles in a day.
A great deal of time and effort has been invested by a small team, who have defined the materials, gathered them and fabricated excellent quality burners. Overall, this has meant we have trebled our volume production capability.
Operating the new burners is a new skill several members are gaining experience in, so please get involved if you would like to help run and maintain them.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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The Hub Update
April at Time Out in The Woods (TOITW) was a busy month! We focused on getting the area ready for the new Dragon retorts, which included running the existing ones. Beyond the production side, we also dedicated time to general tidying and simply enjoying being in our favourite woodland spot. Some of us put our weaving skills to good use, crafting a lovely hazel and willow fence around the new composting toilet – a great example of shared learning. With the continued demand for our charcoal from Calke Abbey, keeping up production remains a top priority.
Chris Adams, Kevin Banton, Dave Barker | Hub Team
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