North Highland Forest Trust        28/05/2008

TRAINING ARCHIVE 2006/7:

Greenwood Workshop - Rogart - 21 & 22 July 2007 Join Mike Ellis for the third in a series of workshops. You will learn and practice the art of

• Greenwood bridge building  (including cleaving, riving and shaving techniques)

• Basic greenwood techniques

• Make your own greenwood tool-rack

The course is situated in an area of stunningly beautiful former hazel coppice.  This course builds on the hugely successful courses in May and June.  Course Fee £95 (including lunches and materials).  Accommodation can be arranged if required. The course is outdoors and involves hands-on physical work as well as greenwood instruction, sensible clothing (boots, gloves etc) should be worn.  To book a place please contact Mike Ellis on 01408 641357 or mk7ellis@aol.com

Rural craft apprenticeships in Derbyshire or Sutherland Derbyshire is a long way to go but the apprenticeships outlined below do not currently exist this far north.  They could do.  If you like to see this happen, an indication of your willingness to take part, or of schools, colleges or other organisations that might like to take part in setting up such work/training opportunities then do get in touch.

20 apprenticeship places available each of two months duration commencing February 07 and running until spring 08. Chainsaw qualifications included in some courses.  

Courses cover green oak timber framing, hedgelaying, stone walling, woodland management and general countryside management skills. £125 per week paid towards living expenses. 
For more information visit www.danielhayes.co.uk

Alternatively, if you don’t fancy leaving the north for two months, short-term one day or weekend workshops on greenwood working are in the offing in the early part of the new year, run by Rogart man Mike Ellis.  Contact mkellis7@aol.com or this office if you are interested.

Straw Bales - Sustainable Building Volunteering Weekends Tombreck farm-based community project, Loch Tay, by Aberfeldy in association with SEDA (Scottish Ecological Design Association)  are looking for volunteers/trainees in:

• Straw bale build, Summer 2007

• Free training.  Volunteers also get food, accommodation/camping space. Good chance to check this innovative community out

To book  a place: Suemanning@tombreck.co.uk or 01567 820 500

Rope-Making and basket-weaving workshops 19/04/2007 till 24/04/2007  Tim Johnson, from the Isle of Wight, artist and craftsman in rope and straw will hold creative workshops in collaboration with local artist Joanne Kaar who extends the range of media used in these interpretive workshops. Organised by Castletown Heritage. castletown.heritage@talk21.com   http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk

Dry-stone dyking course  Saturday, Sunday 19/05/2007 till 20/05/2007 10.00hrs to 16.00hrs   Starts: 10.00hrs to 16.00hrs Description: Dave Goulder from Rosehall, master craftsman will hold a two day course on basic dry-stone walling, using the local Caithness stone and style. Organised by Castletown Heritage.  Email:           castletown.heritage@talk21.com (event)

Web:    http://www.castletownheritage.co.uk (event)

Milton Woodland Trust Courses in May & June 2007

Rustic Furniture Course at Milton Community Woodland 4th - 6th June 2007 with Chas Heath, £30 (concessions available), please book as places are limited. On 16th and 17th May 2007, Drystane Dyking course, with George Gunn, £20 (concessions available), please book as places are limited by phone 01862 842222 or email  mcwtforester@onetel.com

See the website for more details and directions to the woodland: http://www.mcwt.org.uk

8/9 Feb and 15/16 Mar 2007 – Sustaining Ecosystems
New CPD/lifelong learning course from the Centre for Human Ecology in partnership with Strathclyde University. A 10 week course based around two, 2-day workshops in Glasgow (8/9 Feb and 15/16 Mar) plus private study.  Ecosystems - from upland forests to coastal marshes - regulate and maintain the conditions on earth suitable for life, providing us with the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat, the water to irrigate our crops and the insects to pollinate them. Are we putting these functions at risk? Are we destroying the systems that have supported earth's biodiversity/nature for millions of years? Do we really understand and appreciate the importance of nature to our livelihood and well-being? What is being done to lessen our impacts?
Fee £495. Further information: jennifer.batty@che.ac.uk or: www.che.ac.uk and click on 'courses'

For further information on courses across Scotland suitable for volunteer organisations visit http://www.hiccap.org.uk/Training/EventsHome.aspx?al=t

Wood Fuel Rural Development Initiatives have received funding to run woodfuel training throughout Scotland.  The Ignite programme has been designed for those:wishing to expand their knowledge of woodfuel as a natural energy source or considering setting up a woodfuel supply business who would like to find out more about woodfuel use

To book your place at any of the events below please contact Isla Thomson on 0845 226 2890 or by email, isla.thomson@ruraldevelopment.org.uk.  Or online at: www.ruraldevelopment.org.uk

Forthcoming Ignite sessions in the North include:                    

• 4th Aug Woodfuel Systems Inverness, Scottish School of Forestry     

• 19th Oct Woodland Management Dornoch/Golspie                    

• 26th Oct Woodfuel Technology Aviemore, Cairngorm Hotel           

• 26th Oct Assessment Aviemore, Cairngorm Hotel                         

• 20th Nov Marketing Woodfuel Invergordon                                   

• 21st Nov Business management Invergordon

Coppice Training - Woodland Pioneers: Introduction to Coppicing Week   11 to 15 Sept 2006   Stavely, Newby Bridge, Cumbria. £90- £180  Five days of inspiring traditional woodland craft training by experienced professional craft tutors in a beautiful cumbrian woodland. Run by the Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust, this is the fifth Pioneer week.  Contact:  Info@coppiceapprentice.org.uk   or       01524 720 292  A long way to go for this one but well worth the effort.  Hopefully we can bring more of this style of training to the North.  If you are interested in this,  contact NHFT.

Training for Community Groups  The CLU are running a series of training programs for community groups, by community groups. These are open to any community group in Scotland but are entirely free to those in the HIE area. Contact Neil at the CLU for up-to-date info. neil.gerrard@hient.co.uk

Chainsaws and Butchery!  The Strathcarron centre are running some interesting workshops, many of relevance to those working with woodlands.  Some of this training may be available in the North, again if you would like help with setting up a course, contact NHFT.         For further details on the courses below contact: Strathcarron Centre, The Station, Strathcarron, Wester Ross IV54 8YR Tel: 01520 722882     info@strathcarron-centre.com

North Highland Forest Trust, Alba, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland KW10 6TG   T: 01408633986  E:  info@nhft.org.uk   W:  www.nhft.org.uk 

North Highland Forest Trust is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee (Registered in Scotland No. SC029559 - Registered Office: Alba, Main Street, Golspie, KW10 6TG)

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