Newsletter - Small Woodlands Owners Group

[happybonzo]

Here's the September issue of the Small Woodlands Owners Group. As their aims are much the same as ours as "Bushcrafters" I thought that it might be of interest to some of you

http://www.swog.org.uk/newsletters/newsletter-sept-2011/attachment/nl-sept2011_final/

[jus_young]

Some interesting reading in there. Thanks for the post, was particularly interested in the articles about the spread of disease that is currently hitting the larch here in the South West. It is proving to be quite widespread and appears to have hit trees in the woodland around me.

[Martin]

Thanks for sharing, certainly some interesting articles in there, especially about the Larch disease.

Martin

[biker-bri]

Has anyone thought of contacting this group about access for members of natural bushcraft, just a thought.
They could make the rules i.e no open fires or fires permitted within designated area's, only open certain days of the week or weekend only, arrive when you want or booking only, you get the picture.
I read on their forum that one owner had timber stolen by two 4x4's with trailers, the least we could have done was take a note of the reg no's or take a photo.
I am a member of the R S P B which costs me £3.00 per month - that gets me a free gift when joining, a MEMBERSHIP card and free access to all R S P B sites within the UK, it's the membership I am getting at here, by being a member of a responsible group who are as interested in all things "woody", just as they are may get us some leeway as to access to their property. I am sure that Ashley and the rest moderators will discuss this long into the night, but I for one wouldn't mind paying a membership fee either monthly or quarterly to stay on the right side of the landowners, a printed membership card with a list of do's & don't s agreed by both group's could be left with the property owner during your stay and only returned to you when you leave just like the Y H A. This is a system of self regulation were one rotten apple could spoil the whole barrel, and that is why it could work, one rowdy party to many could spoil everything for everyone, but by handing in your membership card,s the landowner would have the right to restrict or at worse ban the members responsible. I have noticed on the website home page an add for Woodland Valley farm which is bushcraft friendly, would they be prepared to give natural bushcraft a reference or for that matter any other landowners that you regularly use.
As I said this is just an idea it may even work with the F C but I doubt it, I look forward to reading your replies - like they say IF YOU DON'T ASK YOU DON'T GET. Regards Bri :D

[happybonzo]

I'll post something for you along these lines but I wouldn't hold too much hope.
The biggest worry most woodland owners have is "fire". There are also the problems of insurance.
I know that some owners have tried this in the past and have been knocked back by their insurance companies. I looked into getting some form of limited access for over-night camping for my woods and the increase in premiums was remarkable. I did ask them if they were on drugs and that didn't go down to well :)
I will ask for you and we'll see what happens

[happybonzo]

There have been a couple of replies so far. The slight problem is that I don't know if they're "owners" or "interested in the subject" people

Anyway, here are their replies

We had a stay over with a couple of ground dwellers from Bushcraftuk in my wood this weekend, one was very experienced and other was still learning so a good combination there.

and


Hi happybonzo. I'll second this. I'm on http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk and am a regular unpaid helper with natural pathways bushcraft school. I sleep under a tarp on the floor so not strictly a hammock dweller!
It is always easier to say "no" to any request just in case, but if anyone would consider this...
Check the requestor has done some formal bushcraft training or had an upbringing that provides this sort of knowledge, as this suggests they're serious and less likely to burn your woods down.
The people I work with are genuinely interested in (make that passionate about) conservation and improving the flora and fauna and would happily trade some effort to help you manage your woods in exchange for access. They may well be an added security feature for your woods when you can't be there yourself.
If you're willing to put a bit of effort into initially monitoring new people and making sure they share your aims and views - plus simply that you get on with them well - it could be very mutually beneficial.

So two quite positive posts so far. To summerise: It would seem that a sensible approach to the Woodland owner is probably the best course. If you turn up looking reasonably smart you'll be listened to. If you turn up looking scruffy? Well as Mr Burns would say "Smithers, unleash the hounds!"

[biker-bri]

Well at least you have had a response. cheers Bri

[happybonzo]

Thanks Bri
I'm hoping that there will be more as most small woodland owners are fairly sympathetic to "green" activities
The Sustainability Centre (http://www.sustainability-centre.org/text.php?page=Camping, tipis and yurts) at Clanfield in Hampshire has "camping" but I don't know what they charge now.

[biker-bri]

The problem for me is that I am in north Wales, most of the small woodlands group seem to be down south. I have been trying to find the owners of a couple or wood's close to where I live (internet search ) to use as places to do some wildlife photography, but no success as yet. I might stick a letter together and traipse around the local the local farms - see if I get lucky

[happybonzo]

I know that when I was seconded to RAF Valley that I just went around the local farms and asked for permission to fish their streams that I was never refused.
Wrexham is a bit away from the parts of Wales that I remember though.

As I said
It would seem that a sensible approach to the Woodland owner is probably the best course. If you turn up looking reasonably smart you'll be listened to. If you turn up looking scruffy? Well as Mr Burns would say "Smithers, unleash the hounds!"

[Martin]

I've been giving this some serious thought lately (not normal for me but there you go) and I've come up with this theory.

If you turn up at a land owner's place and ask if you can camp in his woods and start a fire, he'll more than likely tell you to push off, I know I would. However, if you ask said landowner if you could have daily access to his land to take photographs, bird watch, relax and read etc etc, then I wouldn't be surprised if you get a 'help yourself mate' answer. After proving to him that you are a trustworthy visitor, depending on your relationship with the land owner, it may be appropriate to broach the subject of an overnight stay for you and a couple of mates.

What do you guys think?

Martin

[AL...]

Well they can only say no! So its well worth a go .
And when they do say yes then a nice bottle of wine or something stronger as a thankyou to him would go a real long way.

just my tuppeny bit!!

Cheers
AL

[biker-bri]

Just what I was thinking, so clean boots, best-est berghaus gore-tex jacket & carghopper kecks and away we go, Oh must remember to have a shave - first impressions count yes!!!

[jus_young]

...Oh must remember to have a shave - first impressions count yes!!!

Thats where I'm going wrong then!

Most of my work these days tends to be on farms but despite my best efforts I still can't get one to allow access to woodland that they may have. Gonna keep on trying though...

[Hushwing]

Just what I was thinking, so clean boots, best-est berghaus gore-tex jacket & carghopper kecks and away we go, Oh must remember to have a shave - first impressions count yes!!!

Oh and leave the sheep alone! :ashamed:

[biker-bri]

Oh and leave the sheep alone! spoilsport:o