Small Woods

14/10/2026

🌳 Small Woods Association is inviting tenders for two upcoming areas of woodland work across the Severn Trent region.

🌿 Biodiversity Works – winter 2026/27

We’re looking for woodland contractors and forestry providers for work in:

• Peak District / Nottinghamshire
• Forest of Dean / Central Severn

You’re very welcome to tender for one regional package or both.

Please send any questions by 28th October.
Tender deadline: 30th October.

More information:
https://www.smallwoods.org.uk/en/about-small-woods/job-and-volunteering/invitation-to-tender-biodiversity-works/

🌿 Woodland Condition Assessments & Woodland Management Planning – 2027

We’re also inviting tenders from experienced woodland professionals to carry out assessments and prepare, review or update Woodland Management Plans across sites between the Peak District and the Cotswolds.

You’re welcome to bid for the whole portfolio, particular areas, or a level of work that suits your capacity.

Please send any questions by 2nd November.
Tender deadline: 12th November.

More information:
https://www.smallwoods.org.uk/en/about-small-woods/job-and-volunteering/invitation-to-tender/

Know someone who might be a good fit? Please tag them below or share this post with people in your woodland, forestry and contracting networks.

13/10/2026

A huge thank you to Kevin and Ellen Grimley for joining us once again to teach their brilliant coracle-making course.

Kevin and Ellen have been making and teaching coracles together for more than 30 years, sharing not only the practical skills involved in building these remarkable little boats, but a real appreciation for their history, craftsmanship and place in our cultural landscape.

Since beginning their workshops in the 1990s, they’ve taught coracle making around the country, demonstrated the craft at shows and events, and even made coracles for film and television productions including Coast and Game of Thrones.

It’s always a real pleasure to welcome them back and see another group of participants gradually turn timber, fabric and plenty of patient work into their own finished coracles.

Thank you Kevin and Ellen for continuing to share your knowledge, experience and enthusiasm so generously- and to everyone who joined us for another wonderful weekend of traditional craft!

12/10/2026

How can I fund the management of my woodland? 🌳

For our next Woodland Hour, Robert Barnes MICFor, Woodland Officer for the Forestry Commission, will be in the hot seat to help Small Woods members navigate the grants and funding available for woodland management in England.

Robert covers the Forest of Dean and Stroud districts of Gloucestershire and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

Bring your funding questions and find out what support could be available for your woodland.

🌿 Woodland Hour is one of the benefits of Small Woods membership, giving members regular opportunities to hear from specialists, explore practical woodland topics and ask questions directly.

Not a member? Find out more about joining Small Woodson our website.

08/10/2026

Two places have just become available on our previously fully booked Pole Lathe End Grain Cup Turning course with Owen Thomas Wood Craft on Sunday 15th November. 🌿

And if you fancy making a weekend of it, Owen will also be joining us the day before for Spoon Carving for Improvers on Saturday 14th November.

Two specialist courses, two days immersed in green woodworking, and the chance to learn from an internationally recognised maker and teacher whose work draws on Welsh folk art, Scandinavian handcraft, punk culture and folklore.

🥄 Saturday 14th November- Spoon Carving for Improvers
Refine your axe and carving skills, develop your designs and learn techniques to work more efficiently.

☕ Sunday 15th November- Pole Lathe End Grain Cup Turning
Learn to prepare a blank, use specialist pole lathe tools and turn your own functional wooden cup.

Why not come for both and make a weekend of it? We have accommodation available on site at the Green Wood Centre, plus Embers Cafe for wonderful food.

Find both courses on our website: https://www.smallwoods.org.uk/en/training-and-events/training/

07/10/2026

🐿️It’s Red Squirrel Awareness Week!

Red squirrels are a wonderful part of our woodland wildlife, and healthy, well-managed woodlands can make a real difference to their future.

This week, the UK Squirrel Accord is sharing a series of short films exploring red squirrel conservation and how woodland management can help create thriving habitats for them.

🎥 You can watch all five films here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZgQGWHEpq3kpnfyXUyhoHzJxuVfoBmbn

Share your videos with friends, family and the world

06/10/2026

Christmas wreaths and willow decorations

Spend a winter day at the Green Wood Centre learning to weave a natural wreath and make festive willow decorations with basketmaker Mary Eluned.

Using willow, foliage and other natural materials, you’ll create your own woven wreath to take home, as well as willow stars and Christmas trees that can be brought out year after year.

No previous experience is needed, and all materials are provided. You’re also very welcome to bring along any foraged holly, ivy, teasels, ribbons or decorations you’d like to include.

📅 Sunday 6 December 2026
🕙 10am–4pm
📍 The Green Wood Centre, Ironbridge
💚 £75

Booking on our website.

05/10/2026

Do you know what insurance you need if you have a footpath through your land? What are your responsibilities to visitors, volunteers or contractors? And how can you make sure you’re reasonably prepared?

Woodland ownership and management can bring plenty of questions that start with “what happens if…?”

Join us at 5pm on Wednesday 7 October for our next Woodland Hour, exploring some of the common legal, safety and liability questions that come with owning and managing a woodland.

Simon James MICFor, CEO at Small Woods, will give a short introduction before opening up the session to your questions.

🌿 Woodland Hour is one of the benefits of Small Woods membership, with regular online sessions free for members to attend.

Not a member? Find out more about joining Small Woods via the link in our bio.

02/10/2026

We’re delighted to announce that CardiShed in Cardigan is the winner of the 2026 Esmond Harris Award for Innovation in Small Woodland Management and Green Wood Craft.

The award was established to celebrate creative ideas, practical solutions and innovative approaches within small woodland management. New for 2026, it was expanded to recognise people and organisations helping to keep traditional green wood crafts thriving — including the use of green wood craft to support wellbeing.

CardiShed is a volunteer-run community support and wellbeing charity that has responded directly to local need by creating an inclusive, welcoming space where adults can access and learn woodcraft regardless of their income.

Its daily drop-in sessions use green wood craft for positive social change, helping people to build skills, confidence and connections through activities including green woodworking, wood carving, furniture upcycling and more. CardiShed also has strong links with local mental health and drug and alcohol support services, helping make these opportunities accessible to people who can benefit most.

The impact is clear. A recent participant survey found that 83% had learned new skills, 64% said CardiShed helped them socialise and feel less isolated, and 55% said they would not be able to afford to take part in similar woodwork or activities elsewhere. For participants under 25, 60% said they had learned skills useful for finding work or progressing into training.

A huge congratulations to Matt and all the volunteers who work so hard to make CardiShed happen. It’s a brilliant example of how green wood craft can bring people together, pass on practical skills and support wellbeing at the same time.

01/10/2026

What might it mean to recognise the rights of trees- and to think about the wellbeing of nature alongside our own?

Inspired by recent developments in Lewes, East Sussex, Alison Moore reflects on our relationship with trees, the value they bring to our lives, and why protecting the natural world matters for people and communities too.

👉 link to blog in bio

30/09/2026

🌳 How do we help more young people see a place for themselves in woods, woodland management and the forestry sector?

This brilliant short film from Bangor University’s Forestry Youth Camp explores just that- giving young people the chance to spend time in woodlands, learn practical skills, meet people working in forestry and discover the many different ways forests connect with biodiversity, climate and everyday life.

At Small Woods, supporting people to understand, care for and actively engage with woodlands is at the heart of what we do. That includes helping to build practical skills and knowledge, but also making woodland spaces and opportunities feel accessible to a wider range of people.

Over the past four years, our children and young people’s project in Neath Port Talbot and Swansea has been helping young people connect with and learn about nature. We’ve also supported work with young people in North Wales, alongside colleges and schools, and increasingly welcomed children and families into projects across Wales.

Most recently, families joined woodland improvement activities during the summer holidays- getting involved in practical woodland work and learning more about the places around them.

These kinds of early experiences can help build confidence, curiosity and practical understanding, while also opening up new ideas about future learning, volunteering and careers in the woodland and forestry sector.

And keep an eye out for a cameo from Kara Moses of Feral Futures, one of the campe facillitators, who is also one of our Coed Lleol Activity Leaders in Mid Wales. 🌿

🎥 Watch the Forestry Youth Camp film here:

The Forestry Youth Camp, led by Bangor University and supported by ...