Monday 24 August 2015

Forestry Commission - FREE events


Following on from the success of last year, the Forestry Commission is co-ordinating a further round of events and advice to provide support to forestry businesses that are thinking of applying for financial support, including grants from the Rural Development Programme (e.g. Countryside Productivity, LEADER and Growth Funds from Local Enterprise Partnerships).

These may offer grants for:

  • Timber and woodfuel harvesting, extraction and primary processing equipment
  • Storage to season woodfuel
  • Training
  • Business support
  • Co-operation, collaboration and advisory services

Advice & information clinics

  • An opportunity to seek 1:1 advice about the support that may be available to help you expand and/or diversify your forestry business.
  • Join us on the Forestry Commission stand on Friday 18th September at the Bentley Wood Fair OR Saturday 3rd October at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair.

“Pie and Pint” evening workshops

Informal networking opportunities enabling you to catch up with sector colleagues, get an update on the latest market and grant developments, and to collectively discuss challenges and opportunities with like-minded colleagues.

Dates and venues are to be confirmed, but will be run during the first two weeks of November in the following locations:

  • South west Hampshire
  • Surrey / Sussex border (near Horsham)
  • Berks / Bucks / Oxon
  • Kent / East Sussex border

Please let us know if you are interested in attending by emailing southeast.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk with your contact details and your preferred location.

Application masterclass” workshops

An opportunity for you to go through Countryside Productivity Scheme and LEADER grant applications in detail, with opportunities to ask questions and discuss proposals.  Dates are to be confirmed, but will run in January 2016.  

Timing 3pm until 6pm in the following locations:

  • Sylva Foundation, Little Wittenham (Oxfordshire)
  • Alice Holt Research Station, near Farnham (Surrey)
  • Woodland Enterprise Centre, Flimwell (East sussex)

To show your interest, please contact southeast.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk stating your preferred location.

CONFOR Woodland Show 2015 - demonstration of equipment for managing small woods



10 & 11 September 2015

Confor Woodland Show, Longleat, Wiltshire

Six demonstration visits over two days will be run by Forestry Commission England and Forest Research’s Technical Development Branch in support of the Confor Woodland Show 2015

  • See machinery and equipment that works on broadleaf woodlands that are small, undermanaged or hard to access. 
  • Talk to experts to find out how to get the most from this equipment 
  • Learn first-hand where to focus time and effort in harvesting and extraction 
  • See a harvesting site worked efficiently with low environmental impact 

Minibuses will take you from the showground to the demonstration site for a 2 hour visit.  

Places on the demonstrations are free for anyone visiting the Confor Woodland Show.  

Spaces are limited so booking in advance is essential by contacting:

Cherie Lovegrove
Forestry Commission South West
cherie.lovegrove@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Woodfuel training course - quality standards and quality assurance


The Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder and High Weald AONB have partnered with Ignite to offer a new training course on woodfuels.

Ignite is an innovative training programme of practical seminars and interactive workshops with a focus on woodfuel. 

Ignite is designed for those wanting to know more about woodfuel and to equip new and existing woodfuel businesses with the skills and knowledge required to meet the increasing demand from this growing market. 

Ignite courses have been developed and are run by RDI Associates Limited, a registered training provider with Lantra Awards and all courses are delivered by experienced and accredited trainers.

The course is being run in partnership with Forest Advisory Consortium England partners, WoodNet and the Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs.

Woodfuel Quality Standards

This one day course introduces woodfuel suppliers and users to the full range of standards and quality assurance schemes in use in the supply chain and how to produce and specify the correct type of fuel. 

It looks at how to ensure your woodfuel is compliant with the Timber Standard for Heat and Electricity covering the legal and sustainability criteria and the requirements of the Biomass Suppliers List.

The course also looks at how woodfuel properties can affect compliance with standards, how to specify and test fuel, and match fuel specifications to combustion systems.

The course provides an introduction to BS EN solid biofuels standards that have been adopted in the UK and reviews the various woodfuel quality assurance schemes and what relevance these may have to your business. The course involves a practical sampling demonstration at a working woodfuel supply depot.

Course attendees will also receive a copy of our Woodfuel Quality Standards Handbook and a Lantra Awards certificate of attendance.

Cost:
1 day course: £140+ VAT

  • A 10% discount is offered to members of the Woodfuel Suppliers Group and Wood Heat Association (please confirm your membership on booking)
  • Prices include all course materials, refreshments, lunch and course registration and certification fees

How to book:
Phone: 01765 609355

or

Email: Erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk

or

Post:
Rural Development Initiatives Ltd
Unit 9
Sycamore Business Park
Dishforth Road
Copt Hewick
Ripon
HG4 5DF

Further details from the RDI events web page.