Royal Forestry Society (RFS) visit
Royal Forestry Society (RFS) visit
A team of 15 from the Northwest Midlands division of the society paid a visit to us at the Hub. This was part of their day visiting the National Forest. The Society visit several woodlands and woodland projects throughout the year and we were lucky enough to be suggested by the National Forest Company (NFC). We only had just over an hour, but we spent the time explaining all about the group, what we do, how we do it and how we have made the group sustainable. See the feedback below which was very positive and a credit to the group. Thank you to those who helped out on the day.
Chris Henretty, RFS Lead – “We really did have a fantastic day despite the heat from the charcoal burning!
You are providing a fantastic service to local woodland owners as well as giving members the opportunity to meet up and work alongside together.
It’s a really good system you operate and would be fantastic if this could be extended to other areas within our area.”
Stuart Dainton, Estate Manager, NFC – “The thanks though go to you and your team for hosting and doing such a great job, and for always being so willing, enthusiastic and flexible to accommodate. It is truly greatly appreciated.”
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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Latest Upgrade for Heartwood
The ATVs we have been running for a number of years now have been struggling with the slopes and wet ground conditions, to the point we have only been able to lightly load the trailers, especially at Foxley Wood, meaning the number of journeys to the loading bay have increased.
Simon Starkey has been investigating what other options we have regarding machinery for extraction. The conclusion after a great deal or analysis and background work was the purchase of a compact tractor to replace one of the ATVs. We got a great deal from Kilworth Machinery of Smisby and what we believe to be an excellent little tractor.
This does, of course, present us with several challenges which include, training of operators, moving the machine from storage, working out the approach for moving tools and lots of other associated process changes. We will need to introduce it carefully and adapt as we always do when things change.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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Pre-season prep
As per previous seasons there is an amount of site preparation ahead of sessions commencing at the beginning of October. Clearing and repairing extraction routes will be necessary at most sites, especially at Foxley Wood. We will make the dates of these prep sessions known to everyone and use the booking system to allow helpers to register. Please help where you can so we can start the season on the front foot.
We will also be running a machinery operator pre-season familiarisation session on Sunday 28th September at the Hub. This session is for everyone who is trained on any of the machinery we operate and is:
- To ensure that all operators are aware of the up-to-date risk assessment and normal machinery operating procedures.
- To understand their roles and responsibilities
- To make users aware of new machinery or to refresh on existing equipment.
- To act as a peer review for operators to learn from each other
Please make yourself available if at all possible and if you are not able to attend ensure you catch-up with the content of the session. All machinery operators should have received an invite.
This season we will be working in Foxley Wood, Edwards Wood, Donisthorpe Woodland Park, Pick Triangle, Foremark Reservoir and Swadlincote Woodlands
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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First Aid Training
We have two First Aid training sessions running this year. If you are already a first aider and your training is expiring Robin will have already contacted you, so please book onto one of the sessions if possible. If you are interested in becoming first aid trained there are spaces available so please book onto one of the sessions. The training sessions are on Thursday 28th August and Saturday 20th September. Both events will be held at the “Old School Room” in Blackfordby. If you would like more information, please contact Robin on the email below. Our sessions need first aid cover for all the machinery in use, so having a good spread of trained people ensures the viability of sessions is maintained.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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The Hub Update
The “Time out in the woods” sessions have been very busy and productive again this month. Charcoal production continues with more members getting familiar with the new burners and improvements to the equipment making the whole process easier and safer. The weather has ensured the demand for charcoal remains high, so the processing of charcoal wood and burner fuel has been a priority.
The new shed has been fitted out with benches and shelving for storage, ahead of our plans to prepare for Christmas. As mentioned previously we really want to get ahead this year, so a detailed plan of what we want to produce ahead of the Christmas season has been put in place and a good start on items and components has been made. This year we are making stars using the willow we have been drying over the spring and summer. These have proved to be very popular to make, and the designs are evolving as members give them a go. The painting of “noses and eyes” has also been started, but there are lots of these still to do.
We are planning to have a stand at the Christmas Market at Rosliston Forestry Centre at the end of November, and the shop there has already placed advance order, so we know the demand will be at least similar to last year. Your help in preparing (and potentially helping at the market) would be much appreciated – it’s great fun and very therapeutic!
We have also been asked if we would like to attend the Donisthorpe “Apple Day” event on 12th October helping the public to make children's witches brooms. All proceeds will go to Heartwood, so again, if you are free to support, please let us know.
If crafty stuff is not your thing, we always have other stuff to do at the Hub to improve the facilities or just sit and chat. See you next session!
Chris Adams, Kevin Banton, Dave Barker | Hub Team
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Easyfundraising Update
Thank you to the 23 people who have now joined “Easyfundraising” and chosen Heartwood as their “Cause”. To date there have been over 200 donations amounting to over £200 income for the group.
Can I encourage anyone who hasn’t registered to consider it please.
If you're not signed up yet, join today and you can raise free donations for Heartwood Community Woodland Group CIC every time you shop online. All the big names like John Lewis & Partners, Argos, eBay, the main supermarkets, holiday companies and many more are ready to make a free donation at no extra cost to you. Plus, sign up today and we could win a £500 donation: join.easyfundraising.org.uk
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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Annual General Meeting 2025
Please make a note in your diary for next month. Our AGM will be held on Monday 8th September at 7.00pm. The meeting will be a Zoom call with the joining details on next month’s newsletter, but please reserve the slot in your diary. This meeting also serves as the season launch ahead of sessions starting in October.
Please also let us know of anything specific you would like us to cover at the meeting together with any nominations for committee positions.
Committee positions:-
Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Safety, Training, Membership, Sub-committee chairs for Nether Hall, The Hub and Operations.
Graham has already notified the committee that he will be standing down as Safety Lead.
If you have any questions in the meantime don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kevin Banton | Heartwood Chair
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