EKCHO, a newly formed group of enthusastic volunteers, keen to practice the skill of Coppice Management & Hedgelaying are looking for a suitable site to use as a training for both these activities, on two day courses, hopefully to commence September 2009 to March 2010. There will a charge made of £60 per person, tools, insurance provided, maximum 3 people at each course. The fees charged are to fund the group, not for personal gain. I hope to locate a copse with hazel growing within it & lay a hedge along its boundary, or very close by, as part of the course, coppicing to provide the material to lay the hedge, along with tools care/safety & techniques.
Written notes on both skills have been drawn up for attendees to take away them, along with 2 booklets with more information. I have many years experience in these skills, having run courses & set up a simular group in another county in Southern England, courses run for FWAG, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group in that area. The Hedglaying was started by me in 1996, having over 40 members now, laying 700 metres of hedge last season.
So if you, or you know of someone who owns a possible site in South East Kent, I would like to make contact with them, for the benefit of the coppice & hedgerow management & the keen volunteers who I know are out there.
