Short Courses

Wye Coppice runs a range of short courses on woodland management, led by our own team and other expert facilitators. These are mostly day-long sessions aimed at woodland owners, conservation workers and anyone wanting to learn about managing woods (chiefly the native broadleaf type!) . 

We are on the list of approved course providers for the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund. Details here should allow you to complete funding forms. When the fund is open for applications, do not delay!

Why book with Wye Coppice? Our team have both on-the-ground, practical experience and a sound theoretical understanding of sustainable woodland management. We want to share that knowledge to promote low-impact practices that improve woodlands and create biodiverse habitats.

For courses with no future date scheduled, please  get in touch so we can discuss your requirements. We can put together bespoke packages, or add you to our mailing list. Course prices include VAT.

Introduction to woodland management & coppicing

The essential guide to caring for your woods. Covers the basics of maintaining a safe, thriving and biodiverse wood, including the benefits of coppicing as a form of management. This course is for people interested in  the theory behind managing woods, the reasons we undertake operations, and legal/planning  aspects. Mostly classroom based with site visits.

Date:  11 January 2025

Location: Huntley, Gloucestershire

Cost: £108

BOOKING FORM

Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

Coppicing

Spend a day finding out about coppicing - why we do it, how it's done and what you can do with your coppiced wood. Joe Weaver will lead this introductory course, offering plenty of insights from his many years working in broadleaf woodlands and making a living from harvesting small diameter timber. The day will include lots of theory, but also a bit of practical.

Date: 1 March 2025

Location:  Huntley, Glos

Cost: £108

BOOKING FORM

Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

 

Managing small woods for hardwood timber

Is there potential for timber in your woods? Find out how to recognise trees that will yield useful boards, and how to go about harvesting them. We will look at extraction issues (how to get the wood out of the woods!) and types of milling.

Date: 9 November 2024

Location: Huntley, Glos.(Forest of Dean)

Cost: £108

BOOKING FORM

Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

Introduction to hedgelaying

We need more hedges! These traditional field boundaries are a goldmine for biodiversity, but have been in sharp decline since intensive farming took hold in the 20th century. Meanwhile, hedgelaying is a heritage craft that can make existing hedges even better - as a barrier and for wildlife. Hedging stakes and binders are traditional coppice products that we will use in this introductory course.

Date: 8 February 2025

Location: Trellech, Monmouthshire

Cost: £108

BOOKING FORM

Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

Coppicing and hedgelaying

This course teaches the principles of both coppicing and hedgelaying in one combined course.

Date: 8 February 2025

Location: Trellech, Monmouthshire

Cost: £108

BOOKING FORM

Please email  booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk to register your interest

Ancient woodland restoration

What is an ancient woodland and what do we mean when we talk about restoring it? Learn about the concept; the value of this rare environment; ancient woodland indicator species; and how to sensitively manage gradual restoration of these special places. Classroom based with site visits.

Date: 15 March 2025

Cost: £108

Location: St Briavels, Gloucestershire

BOOKING FORM

Please email to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

 

Charcoal making

Learn how to make charcoal in ring kilns, from locally harvested wood. A hands-on day, based outside in the woods.

Date: 29 March 2025

Cost: £108

Location: Backwell, Bristol

BOOKING FORM 

Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk

 

Free Community Programme 2024-2025

This programme is supported the Wye Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund.

Christmas crafts

A fun day of Christmassy crafts using locally sourced wood. Make your own rustic reindeer, silly snowmen and twiggy stars. Drop-in, no need to book.

Date:  Saturday 30 November 2025

Time: 10am-2pm (drop-in)

Cost: free

Location: TBC

Enquire.

Coppicing basics

Learn the basics of coppicing and have a chat about our local woodlands. Find out what products we make and why coppicing is great for biodiversity. Bring your own lunch.

Date:  May 2025 (TBC)

Time: 10am-2pm

Cost: free

Location: TBC, Monmouthshire

Register you interest.

Ring kiln charcoal

Find out how we make charcoal out in the woods, in steel kilns - and how artisan charcoal from homegrown woods differs from the imported stuff. A drop-in, meet the makers event. 

Date:  June 2025 (TBC)

Time: 10am-2pm

Cost: free

Location: Priory Grove, Hadnock Road, Monmouth

Register you interest.

Woodland mandala making

An informal get-together where we add to a piece of communal art, using locally sourced materials and creativity. Inclusive, drop-in, all ages and abilities - come and make something lovely, natural and plastic-free!

Date:  August 2025 (TBC)

Time: 10am-2pm (drop-in)

Cost: free

Location: TBC

Register you interest.

Traineeships

The 2024-2025 Traineeship is now closed for applications.

Want to get paid to work in the woods?

With support from the Wye Valley National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund, Wye Coppice is offering two paid traineeships commencing in August 2024. These are on-the-ground work placements, offered on a part-time basis, three days per week.

The trainee programme includes NPTC chainsaw training, equipment and PPE. Wye Coppice will help trainees develop essential skills, and find out what it's like to work in the woods in all seasons. As well as carrying out valuable practical work in the woods that Wye Coppice manage, trainees will also have the opportunity to help with course and event facilitation. 

NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS.

See the job spec and how to apply here:

Wye Coppice 2024 Traineeship

 

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