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Lost
in the Woods
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'Lost in the Woods' has developed from an earlier (HLF Stage One) project entitled 'Archaeology Overgrown'. The former project was effectively a twin of 'Unlocking our Hidden Heritage', the Cultural Routeways project and it was considered, after public consultation, that archaeological surveying was being given undue attention in a range of projects that were intended to excite and empower the community. A member of the Reflections team addressed the AGM of the Coppice Association (held in Cumbria, where there is a strong membership) and this project caused lively debate, with local delegates expressing interest in traditional woodland products and processes now lost to industrialisation but with the potential to…
- Make a comeback and find some contemporary use.
- Enthuse and interest young people - as demonstrated by the Cumbrian-based coppice working apprenticeship under the Bill Hogarth Memorial Trust.
- Result in a suite of heritage training courses with considerable take-up (as shown by the efforts of Cumbria Woodlands based in Kendal).
- Create local jobs in the longer term.
- Bring sustainable and appropriately-scaled ways of working to woodlands in the catchment of Bassenthwaite Lake, resulting in a re-awakening of the cultural landscape, practical support for native woodlands and enhanced biodiversity.
- Re-invigorate the craft market.
- Create local sites of interest in woodlands for visitors, who want to see re-enactment and reconstruction.
The project will investigate and assemble an archive of former traditional uses of woodlands in the catchment of Bassenthwaite Lake. Local people will immediately be involved because they will be asked to bring their memories and images / pictures to workshops to kick start the project.
Also within the archive creation will be three cultural investigations of sites within the woodlands that were formerly part of the woodland heritage and historical use. These will be….
1. Charcoal platforms in the Wythop Valley.
2. Saw pit at Seathwaite.
3. House platforms in Dodd Wood.
The investigation of these may result in information being added to the Historic Environment Record and stimulate positive changes in the management of woods.
After assemblage of the archive, there will
be a series of one to three day training courses (offered each year for 3
years) to inform, raise awareness and begin the process of re-introducing
lost skills. Topics selected are…..
| - Tan bark production. - Coracle making. - Cleft oak fencing (see right) - Willow weaving. - Pole lathe turning. - Stick furniture / bodging. - Oak swill basket making. - Cleft gate manufacture. - Hurdle making - Charcoal-making. - Horse-logging / snigging. - Spiling - Cruck-frame selection and preparation. - Shingle-making. - Bowl and spoon carving. - Bast twine and rope-making - Weaving with elm and willow bark - Besom making. - Dyeing with forest products (lichens, bark, leaves & fungi) - Log bow making |
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There will be a series of interactive events
(one per year for 3 years)….
1. Reconstructing a charcoal burners camp.
2. Coppice workers 3-day event to showcase skills and products.
3. Demonstration of fuel wood uses.
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A few examples of Woodland
Skills and Crafts: (left to right) Riven fences, stool-making, swill
baskets and coracle making.
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The outputs of 'Lost in the Woods' will have common elements…
- Each of the 20 'lost' skills and 3 interactive events has training associated with them. Up to three days of training by a local artisan is offered, through the Bill Hogarth Memorial Trust / Cumbria Woodlands / Distinctly Cumbrian network. This training is to be recognised, certificated and validated by a number of mechanisms, including the 'John Muir Award', Duke of Edinburgh Award and LANTRA (land-based industry training).
- For the archive assemblages, lost skills training and three interactive events, young people from other European countries will be involved- they will bring new ideas and skills to assist in the contemporisation of the traditional skill element. This process of involving Europeans releases European Union funding from 'Leonardo da Vinci, Youth' and Culture 2000. The average number of people (especially young people) involved is 20 and the duration is 3 to 5 days.
- Each of the lost skills and three events involve sustainable use of local materials gathered and processed in a traditional way but with a contemporary conclusion and lesson for the future.
- Every element of 'Lost in the Woods' has a cultural, social and environmental common thread, which allows participants to further explore the issues of the catchment as categorised in three groups by the Environment Agency… environmental, economical and community (social).
- A selection of the products of each event and training action is gathered and used to populate the archive - further assisting in contemporisation. The archive and products are used for displays at Whinlatter Visitor Centre, at local schools and Cumbrian countryside events (3 per year for 3 years).
- All outputs will carry the message of local sustainability. In years 2 and 3 a wood-burning system for public benefit will be installed in the Whinlatter / Braithwaite / Portinscale area, with detailed plans emerging at the end of year one. Assistance in the development phase has been given by Clark Mactavish Limited, Cumbria Woodlands and the Forestry Commission.
- The 'Lost in the Woods' project will offer
out of school and family learning opportunities through Cumbria County Council.
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Oak shingle
production, a traditional roof covering with a contemporary role in
rural vernacular architecture (picture courtesy of Ian Taylor)
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Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd, Ashgill, Threapland, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 2EL, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 16973 21516 Fax: +44 (0) 16973 23040 E.Mail: enquiries@grampusheritage.co.uk |
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