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New Forest Artisans:WoodcraftBy Suzanne AshworthFor over 900 years the New Forest has been managing its areas of woodland. The heathland hasbeen created by 4000 years of grazing, heather burning and clearance, but the areas ofwoodland have also been changed by those who lived and worked in the area. Used for huntingthroughout the centuries the practice of silviculture has also been vital across the woodedareas – raising and tending the trees for the benefit of mankind, including timber production.Grazing stock prevent the trees developing so enclosed areas have been set aside. During theVictorian era, 1000 acres was fenced in to create inclosures and the regeneration of traditionalspecies has expanded since the 1949 New Forest Act.Originally the natural woodland species wereoak, beech, birch, alder and ash with somewillows, aspen, yew, crab-apple, hawthorns,blackthorns, and lime trees. Forest dwellershave engaged in coppicing and pollarding, usingthe wood for furniture, fuel, boards, basketsand fencing as well as to make toys, musicalinstruments, pegs, poles, masts and to burn forcharcoal.Large-scale re-planting has been occurring sincethe 17th century to replenish the great treesfelled for the building of naval ships since Tudortimes. The two World Wars further increaseddemand for New Forest timber and the plannedmanagement of the wooded areas hascontinued. The emphasis recently has been torestore habitats and improve the lastingsustainability of the forest.Artisans using wood in the New Forest todayhave a clear desire to protect and value thetimber from the forest, producing their waresfrom ethical sources creating unique andbespoke items. New Forest Marque membersare committed to preserving the wellbeing ofthe woodland and celebrating the very specialresources they are using.one-off! His saw bench can handle timber aslarge as 1m in diameter x 6.5m and he prefersto air-dry over up to two years to minimise theuse of energy. Inspired by the furniture madeby George Nakashima, Kingsley produces pieceswith wavy bark edges and especially likesworking with brown oak as it gradually revealsits grain and colour. Wild Wood Table preparesquarter sawn boards for furniture makers and isknown for its clean lines and sustainable ethos.Another local artisan who takes their customerswood from the tree to the table, managing thetree surgery, processing, and crafting ofproducts is Alex from BearWood. Passionateabout being local, small-scale, and sustainable,Alex uses wood from trees that are dead,decaying, ordangerous. He and hispartner, Rebecca canbe contacted on07873 578436 or viaemail alex@bearwood.co.uktoarrange tree surgery,onsite sawmilling,timber sales andbespoke woodwork.Alex does not want towaste any part of the felled wood, so they notonly make large custom-designed furniture,mantels and building pieces, but also coasters,business card holders, serving boards and evencufflinks! Even the left-over sawdust goes to alocal campsite for their composting toilets.Wild Wood Table is one of the companiescreating one-off furniture and items such ashearths and timbers for building, using air-driedNew Forest timber. Kingsley from Wild Woodhas a shop in Fordingbridge and sells on Etsyand can be contacted on 07970 666654 oremail kingsley@wildwoodtable.com . He uses asawmill to cut sections from the chosen timber, With a motto of Locally Grown, Locally Milledwhich is then left to dry with each piece being and Locally Made, BearWood pride themselvesplanned and developed with the involvement of in creating elegant and unique items,the person who has commissioned the item – sometimes incorporating resin and Continued metal. on next pagean individual, traceable, Please mention and ethically Your Village sourced when responding to advertisementsContinued on next page13