Small Woodland Owners' Group (SWOG)

News & Events

  • Alvecote Wood is top of the Tree!

    Many congratulations to SWOG’s own Sarah Walters and her husband Stephen, winners of the Royal Forestry Society’s Excellence in Forestry awards in the Small Woodlands category. Sarah has written a wonderful blog about how they did it here. Read it and be inspired!

  • June Newsletter 2013

    The SWOG newsletter has a new look, but retains the same mix of interesting articles and news updates. There are reports from two recent SWOG meetings, Sarah’s account of chainsaw training and a look at old-style shelter building. Download it here.

  • Hi Tech Approach to Wildlife Recording!

     The Rother Guardians have secured funding from the  High Weald AONB for a high tec approach to recording wildlife! Find out what it’s all about on a 2 hour walk about at Brede High woods on Saturday June 1st More details on the flier, or contact Matt Pitts directly Matt Pitts Woodland & Cultural Landscape…

  • SWOG Meeting – Pluckley

    Swog members joined Alex Bienfait in his beautiful and diverse woodland in Pluckley at the weekend for a meeting with the theme of small scale extraction of timber.   We are indebted to Alex not only for  his hospitality but also for  arranging a demonstration of some timber moving equipment by Keith Douglas from  the  Micro…

  • May Newsletter 2013

    Many thanks go to Sarah this month, not just for putting out another fantastic newsletter, but for all the newsletters she has provided over the last couple of years.  We’ve really enjoyed each and every one, but sadly other commitments have meant that she will no longer be able to continue  with it. The good…

  • Forest research Survey

    Laura Henderson from Forest Research at    Alice Holt has sent a request for woodland owners and manager to comoplete a quick survey evaluation the conversion of non native conifer to native species.  No more than 5 mins so no hardship!   The link is below, thanks.

  • Alert over caterpillar pest in London and Berkshire -FC press release

    29 APRIL 2013           FC NEWS RELEASE No: 15922 Alert over caterpillar pest in London and Berkshire People in parts of London and Berkshire are being reminded by the Forestry Commission, Public Health England and local authorities not to touch caterpillars of the oak processionary moth, which are beginning to emerge in oak trees…

  • Native Hands – workshops

    Ruby from ‘Native Hands’ has sent us news of workshops and courses which are coming up

  • April Newsletter 2013

    Spring is sprung, the gras is riz . . .well not quite. However the April newsletter provides plenty to read when you come in from the cold.

  • SWOG Meeting – Pluckley, 11 May

    SWOG member Alex Bienfait has arranged a demonstration of a Micro Arb Truc with a selection of handling attachments. SWOG members are invited to attend this demonstration and to explore Alex’s extensive wood, a mixture of Victorian plantation and semi-ancient woodland on Wealden clay. This is a free event and a great chance to take…

  • Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant

    Here is the latest News Release from the Forestry Commission, including a handy link to the ’10 easy steps to apply for a Woodfuel WIG’ available from Ngage who administer the grant.

  • Harcourt Woodland Barn – Timber Framing Course

    Barbara Czoch from the Carpenters Fellowship has sent us news of an exciting timber framing course taking place at Harcourt Arboretum