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Woodworks 2008

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Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2008

 

 

 
 

Exhibitors

Still four months to go, and Woodworks! 2008 is already looking fantastic - a great mix of people and performance, food and fun. Here's who's who.

We will have people representing a vast array of scientific and technical interests, crafts, arts and industries; all packed into one part of the beautiful Millennium Country Park at Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, UK.

If you are interested in growing, conserving or harvesting trees, using wood in industry, craft or art or if you just fancy a great value day out, Woodworks! will have something for you and your family. Don't forget that there's live music thoughout the weekend, lovely food and real ale as well as the whole of the

superb Millennium Country Park to enjoy.

Here are the exhibitors confirmed so far. Come back soon as the list will be developing fast!


 

British Lumberjacks

The competitions will include:   Standing block: The log is secured in a vertical position and the competitor stands on the ground. Competitors cut an opening face on one side then rush around to the other to complete the cut. The winner is the one whose log (not leg)  is chopped through first.   Under-hand block: The log is secured in a horizontal position and foot holds cut into the top.  Standing on top of the log the log is chopped inches from the toes from both sides until it is cut in two!   Single-saw:  A two-man cross cut saw adapted for use by 1 person. The aim is to cut a disc of timber from the log as quickly as possible - saws are a sharp as a surgical scalpel!

 

A standing block being cut

Two man cross-cut saw adapted for use by one person

 

Bedfordshire Basketmakers 

A great favourite with festival goers, Paul and Diane Weir of Bedfordshire Basketmakers  will be demonstrating their craft all weekend.    Using British willow their high quality goods are all  for  sale - with prices starting from £9.  The range includes baskets, twisted willow & wigwams.   Have - a Go - children are welcome to try their hand at basket making.  www.craftmaker.co.uk 

Paul Weir with his baskets

 

observing an observation hive

Their stand demonstrates all aspects of bee keeping, including skep and candle making and honey tasting.  There will also be an observation hide and honey and candles will be for sale.

Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association

make a welcome return to Woodworks! in 2008

Making a skep

www.bedfordshirebeekers.org.uk

 

 

John Browning - Spar maker

Spars, traditionally made from hazel, still form an important part of the thatching industry. Come and enjoy seeing the deceptively simple process, using the simplest of tools, in John's extremely skilled hands

 

Cathy Malcolm Face Painter

£1 donation to the Forest

 

Community Tree Trust

At the Community Tree Trust's stall you can purchase wildflowers, trees and shrubs of local and native provenance.

collecting hawthorn berries

spindle seeds

The Forest of Marston Vale purchase most of the many thousand trees planted each winter from CTT.

 

Daniel Cordell

Chainsaw woodcarving demonstration and gallery of finished carvings - some for sale. Daniel is an artist and this really shows in his work.

Daniel Cordell - chainsaw carving

 

ECO Art

Come along to Woodworks and meet Rene Antonelli in the Eco Art zone.   Rene will give children and their parents the opportunity to experience nature hands - on by encouraging discussion , co-operation and education about  "Eco-art" the art of treading lightly on the land. Make a family sculpture using clay and natural found materials such as shells, sticks, leaves and feathers.   There will also be an exhibition of Eco Art including bog oak, willow, natural roots, rustic furniture, green man faces and  biodiversity bouquets!

 
 

One of the English School of falconry's birds

The Centre in Old Warden is dedicated to helping in conservation and enabling everyone to have a chance of visiting and working with these magnificent creatures.

www.birdsofpreycentre.co.uk

The English School of Falconry

We are delighted to welcome the English School of Falconry to Woodworks. Throughout the weekend the team from Old Warden Park will be giving flying demonstrations of native owls and birds of prey.

The English School of Falconry and Bird of Prey and Conservation Centre is a family run business with over 50 years experience in Falconry.

Tawny owl

 

Kevin Grimley - Coracle Maker

Find out about the history of the coracle  and see how they are constructed.

coracle in production

Coaracle afloat

Kevin will be located on the banks of one the Park's lakes.   01455 845390

 

A train on the Marston Vale Line

Come to Woodworks! by train

more information

Community Rail Partnership logo

The Marston Vale Line was designated a Community Rail Service in November 2006 and brings together a wide range of organisations to form the Partnership. The aim is to safeguard the future of the line by raising its profile and increasing the number of people using the trains; for work or leisure.

 

Marston Vale Tree Care

MVTC was formed in 2001 to provide a complete professional tree care solution to both domestic and commercial clients alike.
With our office based in the heart of the Marston Vale near to the new forest centre, we are in the ideal position to supply the full range of tree care to Bedfordshire, surrounding counties and beyond. Chainsaws and chippers in action.Climbing demonstrations and competitions. Have A Go climbing. Auction of wood turning supplies – proceeds to the Forest Centre

www.marstonvaletreecare.com

Child climbing tree   Girl climbing a tree in a harness

 

Simon Owens demonstrates the art of bow making

Simon Owens - Bowyer

A rare opportunity to see English Longbow maker, Simon Owens, give  working demonstrations of bowyery with samples of finished bows and bows under construction.   Bow types include self, backed and Victorian syle laminates with samples of timber and associated equipment.  Also photos and information regarding shooting traditional bows.    Throughout the weekend, Simon will happily  chat, demonstrate and answer your  questions.

 
RSPB logo

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and other wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work.

www.rspb.org.uk

 

Robins Reach Archery

Have A Go at Archery

Suitable for everyone over 5 years

£2 for 5 arrows

To email Robins Reach click here

Robins Reach in action

www.robinsreach.co.uk

 

 

Green Man by Spirits of Wood            Carved ladybird by Spirit of Wood

If you have something specific in mind or are looking for something different or unusual, why not talk to Dick at his stand within the showground?

www.spiritsofwood.com

Spirits of Wood

and the First Woodworks! auction

This year, everyone is welcome to join us for the second Woodworks! auction .

Throughout the weekend Dick Tilley of Spirits of Wood will be in the main arena to demonstrate the art of chain saw carving.   As wonderful works are created before your eyes - get ready to make your bid on any items that would look great in your home or garden. There'll be something to suit all tastes and budgets.

 

Toft Alpacas

Alpaca is a uniquely soft and light weight lustrous fibre. Celebrated for its inherent hypo-allegic qualities, yet providing outstandingly warm and beautiful garments.   Visit Toft Alpacas at Woodworks! to browse and purchase a wide range of luxury British-made alpaca products, from token gifts to indulgent gestures. Prices from £20. 

   www.TheToftAlpacaShop.co.uk

 

Nick Sutton with horse pulling a log

 

The Urban Forester

Nick Sutton will once again bring the awesome 'Silent' a purebred Clydesdale to demonstrate the power and skill involved when a heavy horse is used to move timber. Once a common site, horses in woodland fell out of favour as steam and diesel powered machinery moved in. There are places where horses remain the power source of choice and these include sensitive woodlands where heavy machines can damage the ground and destroy delicate plantlife.

 

 

Ian Willoughby

We are delighted to welcome, chainsaw carver, Ian Willoughby to Woodworks! making his first appearance at the show.

 

Based in Leighton Buzzard, Ian wields his chainsaw to create a fantastic range of wooden garden sculpture and furniture -  from planters to ornate benches.  Confident he will satisfy your taste and budget - check him out at Woodworks! this year.  

 

 

Leo Wood – Thatcher

Leo Wood brings his  display of thatching tools and artefacts to Woodworks!  See the master at work - visitors of all ages can  try their hand at thatching too  (on a low-level panel).

www.thatch.org

Thatching demonstration

Leo Wood in conversation - Woodworks 2006
 
Jeremy Atkinson specialises in making traditional nineteenth-century styles in his workshop in Kington.

Jeremy has travelled in Spain and France researching European clog making traditions. He demonstrates his skill at County and Craft Fairs across Britain during the summer.

He is the last person following a centuries old craft. Others use machine soles which may preclude an acceptable fit, or work with a mixture of machine and traditional tools using preplanked dry wood.

www.clogmaker.co.uk

 

Woodland Ways - Jason Ingermells

Woodland Ways was founded in order to build on the tradition of teaching Bushcraft and Survival Skills, with an emphasis on the protection and conservation of those environments we work within. At Woodworks you'll have a chance to try your hand at many different aspects of bushcraft under the trained eye of Jason Ingermells and his team.

www.woodland-ways.co.uk

 
 
 

 

 
   

 

 

 

 
 
 
     
 
 
   

   

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
     
 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
     
 

 

 

 

 
   

 

     
     
 

If you wish to enquire about taking a stand at Woodworks, please contact:

Alexis Pym email 01234 762614

or

Jackie Brown email 01787 223830

To download an application form (pdf) please click here