HAZEL HI-BACK - CHAIR MAKING COURSE

In the heart of the New Forest, come spend a slow day making a unique chair from coppiced Hazel. Using traditional tools, make a natural chair whilst learning about the history and renovation of the largest Hazel coppice left within the Forest; a woodland now managed by Pondhead Conservation Trust in partnership with Forestry England.

Pondhead inclosure is situated immediately to the south east of the village of Lyndhurst, in the heart of the New Forest

The day will start with a walk through the woodland where you will learn about the workings of a managed coppice.

Arriving at our workplace, you will not fail to notice the ‘retorts’ where we make our charcoal; they may well be fired up and the charcoal maker will explain it’s inner workings.

After a brief health and safety course (and perhaps a cup of tea) you will be shown how to use a draw-knife, sitting astride of your shave-horse and we will proceed to cut and shape our timber. The traditional tools such as bill hooks and draw-knives will all be supplied. Please bring your own gloves if you have some.

Lunch time, the BBQ will be fired up, using our own charcoal, there will be locally sourced sausages and burgers and perhaps even a bit of salad! (Please inform us before hand of any dietary requirements)

After a good lunch, especially if it’s sunny in the woods, a siesta sounds inviting; but we haven’t got chairs to relax in yet, so it’s back to work: the construction phase. This is where we wire the chairs together (it’s a black art), but there’s plenty of help.

Now for the all important testing phase: try out your chair with a last mug of tea and relax within the woodland content with a job well done.

Home-time; we will walk back out to your cars (and reality), exploring a little of the history of the woods along the way. Your chairs will be transported out for you. The chairs fold, so there should be no problem fitting them in your car.

Please note that every penny of the cost of the course goes straight to Pondhead Conservation Trust (a registered charity), and none of the people running the course take any pay.

At the end of the day, you will take home a chair, a little bit of peace and serenity, the satisfaction of journeying with the Hazel from tree to finished product and a greater appreciation of what part our past can play in our future.

We will be outside all day in the English weather so please bring waterproof jacket AND sunblock - you know what our weather is like! If the weather forecast is looking dreadful, we reserve the right to move the course to the Sunday, so please keep the whole weekend free.

*Please note there are no toilets on site

Registered Charity 1158297