Heartwood Community Woodland Group – Monthly Newsletter

A look back at the season, and what’s been happening around the woods and the Hub

Season Close – Woodfuel Sessions

Today (26th March) marked the final woodfuel session of the season, finishing in glorious sunshine at Donisthorpe.

It’s been one of the wettest seasons most of us can remember in our 12 years, but we got through it. I think it’s fair to say we all headed home satisfied whether to well-stocked log stores, or in my case, a slightly daunting pile still waiting to be processed.

Season Highlights

  • 57 sessions planned
  • 7 cancelled (mostly weather… and one uncooperative tractor)
  • 820 attendances
  • 715 boot loads taken home - My back feels like I moved most of them.

A more detailed report will follow next month, but it’s safe to say it’s been a productive and memorable season.

Looking Ahead

Planning is already underway. We’ll be adding two new woodlands and expect to run a similar number of sessions.

There’s plenty to work through:

  • Extraction planning at Foxley
  • Grant applications
  • Building out the session schedule

We use booking data and waiting lists to understand demand, but there’s still a bit of mystery in it.

Your Input Helps

We’d really value your thoughts on what affects when you attend. For example:

  • Do you prefer certain times of year?
  • Does winter weather put you off?
  • Does log storage space influence timing?

If you’ve got insights, drop me a line or grab a chat at the Hub.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who made the season a success.

From the management team organising sessions, to those stepping into key roles, to everyone turning up and putting in the effort even when conditions tested us, it’s what keeps this going.

And don’t forget, the Hub remains active through the closed season, with charcoal and craft work keeping things ticking over.

Member Spotlight – Natalie Woolrych

I’ve been dabbling in willow weaving and basketry for a few years, mainly under the guidance of Katherine Brunt of Teasel Tales.

Starting with simple pieces like stars, trees and bird feeders, I’ve gradually worked up to zarzo baskets and larger berry baskets all of which can be made in just a few hours.

If you’re thinking of having a go, you don’t need much to get started just a good pair of secateurs.

Most willow comes from suppliers like Musgrove Willows in Somerset and is available in different forms:

  • Brown willow – dried with bark on (like what we use at the Hub)
  • White willow – bark removed for a pale finish

Preparation is key:

  • Soak for roughly 1 day per foot of length
  • Allow to mellow for 24–48 hours
  • Keep it damp (old sheets work well)

Top tip:
Gently bend each rod as you weave to prevent snapping.

For those willing to travel, courses at Lawsons Market Garden near King’s Lynn are well worth a look.

Willow Basket

Updates & News

We were delighted to welcome the BBC Countryfile team to the Hub as part of the National Forest’s 10 millionth tree celebrations.

We can’t share much just yet, but the programme airs on 12th April keep an eye out, you might spot a few familiar faces. The Hub team did us proud during filming.

We’re reviewing how we use social media and will be refreshing the Heartwood Facebook members group.

The aim is to make it more accessible and relevant (it will no longer be hidden), with Jeni Hughes kindly helping to manage content.

Project Updates

Hedge Laying

Andrew and Mary Lorimer would like to thank everyone who helped with hedge laying.

The hedge is still young, making it ideal for practising skills. There’s more to do, possibly a little time left in April, but more likely we’ll return to it next winter.

Hedge Before Hedge After

Nest Box Installation

This season we installed:

  • 16 nest boxes and 9 bat boxes at Edwards Wood
  • 30 nest boxes and 18 bat boxes at Foxley

That’s a total of 46 nest boxes and 27 bat boxes no small effort, completed in just a couple of short sessions.

Nest Box Nest Box

The Hub Update

March has been busy, with the woodland beginning to wake up and the Hub shaking off its winter dampness.

Activity & materials

  • Charcoal wood from thinning work, stacked and ready
  • Silver birch brash and hazel poles stored for future projects
  • Hazel lined up for reindeer legs (always thinking ahead…)

Charcoal & sales
The Dragons were breathing fire again, with charcoal bagged into presentation sacks. We’re exploring new outlets and have already secured two new retailers at Measham Garden Warehouse and Garden King in Newhall.

Willow work
A new storage area has been set up for weaving willow freeing up space and making it easier to grade and prepare material. There are some big ideas brewing, so if you fancy getting involved, let us know.

Infrastructure
Our composting loo has had three coats of woodland green preservative and is finally looking at home in its surroundings.

Get Involved

If you’ve seen a weaving design you’d like to try, or want to get involved in upcoming Hub projects, have a chat with the team.

Wanted

  • Hardcore or rubble – for a hardstanding area at the bottom of the track
  • Small sheet of acrylic – for a (high-level!) window in the compost loo

If you can help, let us know and we’ll point you in the right direction.