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 practical work that goes into managing woods and the reasons we do it. It also covers the essentials of legal requirements and planning.
Date: 14 September 2024
Location: Huntley, Gloucestershire
Cost: £108
Please email booking form to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Charcoal production
Find out how we make charcoal in a ring kiln, with Joe Weaver. The day will look at choosing and processing feedstock, loading the kiln, igniting and watching the burn, shutting down, unloading and processing. Joe provides essential safety tips, pitfalls to avoid, and the advantages of charcoal from sustainable homegrown wood over the imported stuff.
Date: 28 September 2024
Location: Priory Grove, Monmouth
Cost: £108
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: 12 October
Location: TBC (Forest of Dean / Wye Valley area)
Cost: £108
contact us to book
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
Location: TBC (Forest of Dean / Wye Valley area)
Cost: £108
contact us to book
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: 23 November 2024
Location: TBC (Forest of Dean / Wye Valley area)
Cost: £108
Email info@wyecoppice.co.uk to register your interest
Coppicing and hedgelaying
This course teaches the principles of both coppicing and hedgelaying in one combined course.
Date: 23 November 2024
Location: TBC (Forest of Dean / Wye Valley area)
Cost: £108
Email 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.
Date: 15 March 2025
Cost: £108
Location: St Briavels, Gloucestershire
Booking form - email to info@wyecoppice.co.uk
Free Community Programme 2023-2024
This programme is supported the Wye Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund.
Coppicing basics
Learn the basics of coppicing and have a chat about our local woodlands. This is a practical intro with an informal, have-a-go approach. We won't fell any trees, but we will make some products and discuss the principles of coppice rotation.
Bring your own lunch.
Date: Finished
Time: 10am-2pm
Cost: free
Location: Wet Meadow Woods, Trellech, Monmouthshire
Christmas crafts
Following on from our very popular event last year, we are running another 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. The Old Station at Tintern has a cafe and undercover area.
Date: Finished
Time: 10am-2pm (drop-in)
Cost: free
Location: The Old Station, Tintern
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: 27 August 2024
Time: 10am-2pm (drop-in)
Cost: free
Location: The Old Station, Tintern
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.
This is a drop-in, meet the makers event. Park on Hadnock Road and follow signs to the kilns. Please note, the 5-10 minute walk to the site is fairly steep. Wear sturdy footwear.
Date: 29 August 2024
Time: 10am-2pm
Cost: free
Location: Priory Grove, Hadnock Road, Monmouth
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:
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