Words from the Woods December 2014

17th December 2014

May we take this opportunity to wish you a happy festive time and hope to see some of you in 2015. Enjoy... best wishes Gareth and Ro

Willow

Willow is a fantastic tree steeped in folklore and very useful too! At this time of year we coppice willow and use the rods to build living structures. We've had great fun at Our Lady of Lourdes school in Carnforth last month creating an outside classroom, dome and tunnels.

Its really important to maintain your willow structure as neglected willow often grows out of control. We'll be running a course on Living Willow Care in March 2015 at Leighton Moss. We'll also explore some fun projects to make use of your willow off-cuts great for using with groups.

Beginners Woodcarving with a Knife

for adults and children 10yrs+. The second Wednesday of each month (begins 10th Dec) at the Footprint,Windermere 6-8pm. Booking essential, payable in 4 session blocks.

Tree Planting

We're really happy to be continuing our work on the Tree Whisperers project run by Sustain Eden in the new year. This time we'll be working with 5 schools planting trees around Eden. Sustain Eden aims to help residents tackle climate change and make greener choices.

Foulshaw Moss

The Foulshaw Moss Arts Trail 'Aren't Bogs Brilliant' is staying up until at least Christmas if you haven't managed to see it yet. Children at Dean Barwick school worked with us and RSPB staff to learn about the bog and create some wonderful artwork for this Morecambe Bay Local Nature Partnership project.

The Factory Arts Fair

We've really enjoyed carving mini spoons and pate knives for Rebecca Callis's gorgeous porcelain ware. Rebecca's studio will be open along with many other exciting artists at The Factory on 13-14th Dec. The Factory is Kendal's new dynamic collection of creative workspaces and versatile event venues.

Calling all Teachers/Group Leaders

Following our successful CPD for teachers in outdoor learning, we're planning a one day course in the spring. Contact us to express an interest and we'll keep you in touch.

POEM CORNER...

Christmas Tree in Andalucia

I’m missing a small northern spruce in the house
like the one we hung with the fragile
family silver balls that last time. Now

in this strange land I must find my own.
Marvel at the orchards’ green darknesses baubled
bright with orange suns and lemon moons.

Celebrate with persimmons, luminous as light bulbs
strung along bare branches; pomegranates
cracking open their gift boxes of rosy gems.

Give thanks, not for a partridge in a pear tree, but,
among white-berried sprays
of Persian lilac, a collared dove

perched alone. And rejoice
that everywhere, far across the mountainsides,
grey-haired olives, the enduring inhabitants,

are ripening, for the thousandth time,
their New Year’s staple and sustaining crop.

© Paula Day
This poem is from Paula Day’s new book ‘Tree’. Check out her website www.treebydaylight.co.uk to read more tree poems, see some of Val Corbett’s wonderful tree photographs, and buy the book.

Building willow 2
Footprint course
Foulshaw moss
Factory arts
Andalucia tree