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BUSHCRAFT Breathing life into long forgotten skills and crafts |
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By
Friends, Earth Skills
Enthusiast; Stephen Charlton
All photos are copyright
M.Stephenson / S.Charlton
In
close association with and generously supported by:
Details for 2008 events are further down this page
What
is Bushcraft?
The
original sense of the term ‘Bushcraft’, refers to the skills, abilities and
knowledge that mankind had to use, to live successfully from the land around
him.
Although
this meaning is quite far removed from the current practice of Bushcraft as a
hobby or weekend pursuit, it does capture the idea that Bushcraft covers a set
of skills for living in your environment while making do with what's available.
It embraces nature and teaches environmental awareness, conservation and
sustainability.
It’s not ‘den building’! Bushcraft is an,’ umbrella’ term for all the old traditional skills and crafts that have been largely forgotten today. Bodgers, thatchers, willow weavers, green wood workers, charcoal makers, almost any traditional skill you can think of, can be linked to Bushcraft in one way or another.
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Bushcraft, as an outdoor
pursuit, enables us to sample ancient or traditional skills, nature, and green
craft activities, without causing lasting damage to the environment. In
fact, when carried out in a responsible way, Bushcraft has proven benefits to
both the flora and fauna of the area being used. The key is to know when your activity is affecting the area you are using in a negative way and move on before causing irreparable damage. Something that some recreational users, of places like Chopwell Wood, may not realise. People often have little idea of how their recreational activity impacts on the environment or on other users. In the worst cases, of course, there are those who couldn’t care less and are determined to please themselves regardless of others. |
Ancient
Skills
The
photograph above shows a fishhook, made from Hawthorn, this type of hook was
used on the banks of tidal rivers to catch flounders, up to and beyond the turn
of the 20th century. The twine here is hand made, from the
inner bark of an elm sapling, coppiced from beneath power lines in the
Wood. Discarded polythene bags could have been used for the twine, or
spruce root; the technique is the same, only the processing of the materials
differs. If you could travel back in time you could have taken a similar
picture, man has been making cord the same way for many thousands of
years. Indeed a lot of modern rope and string is still made in a similar
way, just on large, high speed machines rather than twisted between the fingers
and thumbs of the person who is actually going to use it. Would there be
so much old rope and baling twine hanging off trees and fences if the person who
left it there, had had to make the stuff themselves? Of course the really
clever part is how the hook is attached to the line!
Bushcraft
Events In Chopwell Wood
We have now run quite a few ‘ Bushcraft for Beginners’ events. These have involved the building of simple shelters and some basic fire lighting skills, always emphasising safety and leaving minimum trace. Other subjects and information are included in these events, such as tool selection and the uses of various plants, resins and barks including how to collect them in a sustainable way. Because Bushcraft is so closely linked to nature, it changes constantly with the seasons, so a beginner’s event in the Spring will be very different to one in Winter or Autumn.
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Learning the basics of safe fire lighting |
Success! Fire was lit, managed and cleared away correctly |
Team relax after building shelter from only sticks and leaves |
Please
Be Aware:
The only legitimate way to sample Bushcraft skills in Chopwell Wood is to join in one of our organised events. No one else is authorised or accredited to run any form of Bushcraft training here.
Bushcraft
@ Chopwell
for 2008 : 
March
2nd - Sunday 9.30 am to 4.30 pm - TENDERFOOT
DAY - Adults Only (18+)
With - Steve
Charlton, Ken Jackson & Eric Methven
A detailed look at fire lighting, shelter building, tools skills, and
more. This event will expand upon any knowledge acquired at our previous
"Bushcraft for Beginners", but is also a good foundation for those who
are just starting out. A chance to sample all the basics, put them into
practice, and get them right.
Attendees will be allowed to take some materials away to enable them to
continue to practice their skills.
BOOKING
ESSENTIAL at least 2 weeks in advance - cost £ 30
- THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED
May
4th - Sunday
9.30 am to 4.30 pm - SPRING FORAGER -
Adults Only (18+)
With - Neil Taylor, Eric Methven,
Ken Jackson & Steve Charlton
Learn what is edible and what is not. Cook up some of your free food finds
on a campfire. This is much more than a "food for free"
walk. Find out about a vast array of natural materials, and gather what is
needed in a sustainable way. Learn to identify not only potential food
sources, but dyes, fuel, craft materials, cordage and many other useful
resources.
This event will also cover fire lighting skills.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - cost £ 30
June
8th - Sunday 9.30 am to 4.30 pm - BARK
CONTAINERS
- Adults Only (18+)
With - Steve Charlton, Ken Jackson
& Eric Methven
Harvest bark and roots to make the containers, and also make some of the tools
to do this. The containers are based on traditional American First Nations
designs. They have been used for thousands on years for gathering berries,
carrying water and tools, and even babies! All materials are gathered in a
sustainable way.
Some tools will be made on the day, and these can be taken away by attendees.
BOOKING ESSENTIAL - cost £ 35
Places
are limited at all of the above events and should be booked well in advance.
The "limited places" and "adults only" rules ensure minimum
impact of the areas used, better access for attendees to "one-to-one"
instruction when needed, and the use of sharp tools.
All payment is in advance, via the Forestry Commission at Hamsterley. We regret that if you cannot attend for any reason we are unable to refund payment. However, if we cancel the event, then all monies will be returned.
British Sign Language is
available for the above events, this free service must be booked
separately. Please Tel/text Carole 0776 145 2440, or email caroleinthewoods@btinternet.com
Leave a contact name/number and Carole will arrange to meet and welcome you to
Bushcraft @ Chopwell.
Details of Bushcraft for families are shown on the Events Programme page.
Bushcraft organised in conjunction with the Forestry Commission - telephone 01388 488312 to book your place well in advance.
When
your booking is confirmed, you will be sent details of where to meet and a small
list of things you may wish to bring.
Funds raised by these events are used to purchase new tools and equipment, training and the general upkeep of the Woodland Park.
FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THOSE ATTENDING BUSHCRAFT EVENTS
You do not have to be super fit, but you should be able to walk at least a couple of miles, over rough terrain, unaided.
The minimum age for taking part is 12 years, but a parent or guardian must accompany anyone under 18 years old. (A maximum of two children to one adult). Except for "Adult only" courses.
No one under 16 years will be allowed to use edged tools (knives, saws, etc).
DO NOT bring knives etc with you; we will loan everything you need, when you need it.
Do wear sensible clothing and footwear - walking boots are essential and it is advisable to bring a waterproof coat. You should avoid man-made fibres if possible, as they could melt if in contact with flames and sparks.
We recommend army surplus combat trousers, particularly German Army. They are very high quality and fairly inexpensive.
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Keep
checking the Bushcraft page for updates and features throughout the
year. Remember; Bushcraft changes with the seasons. If
you are interested in bringing a group along, we have several midweek
dates available. Contact us for more information. |
Very
Important:
It
is both illegal and extremely dangerous to light fires (without prior
permission) in any Forestry Commission Woodland. Anyone caught doing so,
will be prosecuted.
If
you come across a fire actually burning in the wood,
do
not hesitate:
DIAL 999
© Copyright 2008 - Friends of Chopwell Wood