October 2024. Before the East Anglian Coppice Network could agree to host the annual gathering, we needed to find a venue. Wakelyns became that venue in so many more ways than we imagined. Huge gratitude to David and Amanda who were hands on to help create our weekend as over 100 coppice workers from Bewick to Devon, Lancashire to Essex ventured to the land of Suffolk.
Jacob serenaded the folk arriving along the track to Wakelyns
The gathering began with enough to fit around the large evening fire bowl – organisers tutors and those attending the courses, for us to test out the bar (it worked), to meet David and Amanda and each other, and for the organisers to check on the plan (again)
Friday, the day of courses:
Rake making with Johnny Cameron and Richard Dixon of Touch-Wood
Hazel handled willow basket with Emma and Adam of Wakelyns
Bowl turning with Jon Baily of JB Woodcrafts
Wooden Haberdashery with Faye Jones of The Woodland Haberdasher
Lime Cordage with Faye Jones
This was the one I did, in a somewhat half hearted way, distracted by administration. But what a joy to sit around a table with Faye, and meander conversation while twisting lime bark.
Friday food was self catering, cooking on the fire. (Thank you Jacob for getting me some sausages).
It was film night. We had the great honour of the Director, Beatrix Wood, opening her film The Magician in Wood, in our open air cinema, night sky clear above us, the screen lowered from the rafters of the barn. Only a few of us had heard of Tim Stead, a remarkable wood worker, innovative furniture designer before he learned to play and became free as an artist. All the the while he created a masterpiece in his own home, then died far too young at 48. The film tells the rollercaster journey of Maggy Stead, his wife, as she battles to secure the future of one of Scotland’s most extraordinary homes: The Steading, a work of art that all of the coppice gathering audience would appreciate with joy. We listened in silence an awe to this story.
To see more about the film here
Saturday morning walk across familiar footpaths over the neighbouring land bereft of trees and hedges, soil far too neat and bare. Our first gifted cooked breakfast (full English). Demonstrations and skill sharing with new craftspeople arriving including Dan Hussey with his chair no 1 and 2 and Andy Barsham demonstrating Spar making, and a fascinating tool tent. Along the hazel coppice row, Brian Williamson demonstrated hazel layering (after master cooking mushrooms)
After lunch Discussion groups which fed into the whole at the end – no photographs of this as taking notes: (Yes, Guy, I’ll type ours up)
– Need for effective Deer Management
– Commercial Coppice and Conservation
– Mental wellbeing in the coppice industry
Two themes struck me from my group – mental wellbing. The first was the basic loneliness of the coppice worker. Here we were in our little patches of woodland, working away to find utility and make a way of life. The second aspect was the common story I was hearing of people previously involved in traditional jobs, in established organisations, the railway, National Heath, surveyor, etc, who had burned out, and turned to woodland working, achieved far greater well being and happiness despite the massive cut in income.
And finally – what we were all here for the AGM! Retiring Chair and various reports.
Dinner of venison, sourced by ??
Fire pit and live music from The King Driscolls, a three-piece folk outfit who played a mix of traditional and original songs, one most appropriately about coppicing. Magic it was, and I was far too engrossed (what pleasure to hear the words) to take photographs.
Sunday
Another great breakfast (perfect eggs) and an addition of Indian Chai. Followed by tours around the land: the concentration on agriculture led by David and trees led by Paul Jackson. (I walked dogs – any reports back on this? I gather Paul talked pollarding)
Coppice Peer Awards Presentation/ Craft competition winners announced (NO PHOTOS!)
Auction!
On to the LongShop to see the Longship
Kaliwood 