News & Events

  • Dirk Sporleder

    Dirk Sporleder: Woodland management services in NE Scotland Dirk studied forestry in Germany (at the University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg am Neckar, Baden Württemberg) and graduated as an Engineer for Forestry. His degree focused almost entirely on Continuous Cover Forestry. Since moving to Scotland in 2007, Dirk has planned and implemented the Perthshire Coppice…

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    December news

  • New! Recommended Reading

    The new SWOG Books page has a varied collection of woodland-related books for inspiration, education and entertainment, with links to more information and Living Woods book reviews. We’ll keep adding relevant books – please share your recommendations for old or new publications to include.

  • Books: Shaving Horses by Hellman

    From Living Woods issue 51 DAN WATSON is inspired by a treasure trove of green woodworking ideas SHAVING HORSES, LAP SHAVES, AND OTHER WOODLAND VICES Sean Hellman Crafty Little Press 130 pages 400 colour illustrations ISBN 978-0993186110 RRP £16.95 I have been coppicing and carrying out woodland crafts for over 20 years, spending a considerable…

  • Books: Lumberjills by Joanna Foat

    From Living Woods issue 52 Combining war studies and woodlands, this book focuses on a forgotten army of the Second World War. LUMBERJILLS: BRITAIN’S FORGOTTEN ARMY JOANNA FOAT The History Press Paperback: 272 pages RRP: £14.99 ISBN: 978-0750990905 In 1939, when conscription sucked up most able-bodied men, and at a time when Britain was almost…

  • Books: Green Gold by Hemery

    From Living Woods issue 52 MATT LARSEN-DAW immerses himself in the world of the plant hunters of the 19th century GREEN GOLD The Epic True Story of Victorian Plant Hunter John Jeffrey GABRIEL HEMERY Unbound Digital Paperback: 302 pages RRP: £8.99 ISBN: 978-1789650235 An epistolary novel about the life and times of a Victorian botanist…

  • Books: Underland by Robert Macfarlane

    From Living Woods issue 52 ‘Geography lessons have never been so exciting, personal or terrifying.’ JOHNNY MORRIS relishes Robert Macfarlane’s wide-ranging journey through the worlds beneath our feet UNDERLAND ROBERT MACFARLANE Hamish Hamilton Hardback 496 Pages RRP: £20.00 ISBN: 978-0241143803 Three-quarters of the way through Robert Macfarlane’s dazzling book, he recounts a conversation with Robert…

  • Books: Forge and Carve

    From Living Woods issue 52 JUDITH MILLIDGE enjoys a celebration of craftsmanship FORGE AND CARVE Heritage Crafts: The search for well-being and sustainability in the modern world Canopy Press Hardback: 320 pages RRP: £24.99 ISBN: 978-1909414655 What do a coracle-maker, a broom-maker and knifemaker have in common? Answer: they are all practitioners of traditional crafts…

  • Books: The Renewable Energy Home Handbook

    From Living Woods issue 53 ‘Think global, act local’ – ANGUS HANTON is inspired by the energy saving tips and advice in converting your home to renewable energy THE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOME HANDBOOK Lindsay Porter Veloce Publishing Hardback 192 pages £24.99 ISBN 978-1845847593 You may think that YouTube is totally taking over from more traditional…

  • Books: British Forests: The Forestry Commission 1919-2019

    From Living Woods issue 53 PROFESSOR JULIAN EVANS reviews a commemorative history of the Forestry Commission BRITISH FORESTS: THE FORESTRY COMMISSION 1919-2019 Profile Books Ltd Hardback 256 pages £25 ISBN 978-1788163132 Celebrating the Forestry Commission’s centenary always required a book and what is on offer is an interesting compendium. It is in three parts: history,…

  • Make a Folding Spoon by Mickelborough

    From Living Woods issue 54 Chair maker and wood worker ROB DUCKMANTON learns the secrets behind making folding spoons MAKE A FOLDING SPOON JANE MICKLEBOROUGH Crafty Little Press 45 pages ISBN: 9780993186127 Jane is one of the most experienced spoon carvers out there, having recently received the Wille Sundqvist and Bill Coperthwaite Slöyd Fellowship in recognition…