coppice designs
Hello, my name is Andy Basham and I first got interested in coppice crafts and
woodmanship through conservation work, mainly coppicing ancient woodlands. I was
running a cane furniture workshop and material supply business at the time. Soon
I realised I wanted to 'convert' to using local materials and traditional tools
/ practices. English woodland, particularly the uses for the underwood or
coppice, became my passion. After selling my cane furniture business in London
and moving to Norfolk, I took up hurdle making in willow osier, also rustic
furniture, even making plantable live willow chairs and benches. I displayed and
demonstrated my wares at craft fairs and built up a whole range of items to
sell, including rakes, besoms and walking sticks. Seems to me very right that
the best quality, or perhaps the most individual or unusual sticks occurring in
nature, should be ear marked for walking sticks, after all they will be always
close to hand even if not used every day. Its a strong link twixt ourselves and
mother nature. What Andrew offers a range of greenwood products & services from
the hazel woodland he helps manage. Utilising coppice wood and his palette of
traditional skills he can weave a bespoke in-situ hazel hurdle; runs hazel chair
making courses; and has a vast array of handmade hazel products - from pea
sticks to faggots, from thatching spars to rake tines. See greenwood products
from Coppice Designs for full list of creations >> Ethics I don't travel far for
my raw materials, most is only a short bike ride away. This cuts down on 'wood
miles' reducing our carbon footprint and supports the local economy. For these
reasons I don't encourage people to travel long distances for my products or
material. Carriage can be arranged for finished products and raw materials. Be
warned this can be expensive as most of what I deal in is bulky and/or heavy.
Where An old hand at woodland management Andrew is now based near Saffron
Walden, North Essex. He demonstrates and displays his craft at country fairs
mainly in East Anglia. See our events programme. You are welcome to view his
products, contained in his 'show shed', next to his workshop at the new courses
venue, Bridge Meadows, Springhill, Widdington, CB11 3SU, strictly by
appointment. >>Jacob Lambert < Jacob Lambert models a "living willow chair".
Want to make your own chair? See our courses page. Work Experience and
Apprentceships Jacob Lambert (pictured left) got in touch and after a period of
work experience became a successful apprentice. Get in touch with Andy to
discuss the possibilities. Hales Wood, NNR/SSI I lead volunteer work parties at
the reserve. We warmly welcome new volunteers. Coppicing is probably the best
example of permaculture beneficial to man and beast (and plants!). The
intricacies and diversity is mind blowing, please get involved if its not too
far to come. Bring all your mates - in one car to make the journey count! Email
me directly to be put on our specific Hales wood vols newsletter/mailing list
for dates and other news. Become a part of the solution to climate change,
instantly improve your carbon footprint, learn how, come along. While you need
to be reasonably able/fit, no experience is necessary.
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