New Woodland Management Training Courses at Plumpton College

National Coppice Federation - Issue 2 of newsletter

The second issue of The Cleft Stick, the newsletter of the National Coppice Federation or NCFED, is now available.

The newsletter provides an interesting and useful update of topics relating to coppice management.  

NCFED was only launched on October last year and it seems like this newsletter is one of the first bits of communication from this newly formed group.  The NCFED website is still taking shape and we assume that more information will begin to flow as 2014 progresses.

The newsletter includes a useful round up of events.  Of interest to those in the south east are the following:

• Feb 1st (Saturday). Coppice Tool Bring-and-Buy Sale, nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent. See newsletter for more details.

• Feb 25th, 26th and 27th. Three one-day deer management courses at Plumpton College, east Sussex. More info at Plumpton College website.

We have uploaded to the latest issue to help those not currently on the circulation list gain access to it.  Click the following link: The Cleft Stick - NCFED Issue 2.

If you would like to be added to the circulation list for The Cleft Stick please email brian.hurdles@virgin.net

Deer Management Courses

Plumpton College and The Deer Initiative will deliver a series of one day courses on deer management in December and February.

Each course will look at different aspects of deer management covering deer awareness, population dynamics and cull, deer impact assessment, landowner and deer stalker agreements, landscape scale management, risks and liabilities and deer economics.

The course dates are as follows:

• Day 1: 17th December 2013
• Day 2: 25th February 2014
• Day 3: 26th February 2014
• Day 4: 27th February 2014

The cost per say is £55.00 (RDPE) or £158.50 (full cost).

For more details contact Plumpton College at Flimwell (01580 879 547 gammonc@plumpton.ac.uk).

Free conference - Woodfuel production and grant support for land based and rural businesses

Woodland Jobs: 3 Day Taster Event at Flimwell

Good turnout at Woodfuel Pathfinder contractors event

The function room at the Dog & Bear in Lenham was packed to the gunwales last Thursday as forestry contractors from Kent and Sussex gathered for a roller coaster update on apprenticeships and training, grants and the evolving market for woodland products.

Around 70 people representing a wide range of businesses with an interest in the forestry and woodland management sectors attended the event.  There was a lot of interest in the new woodfuel grant (WF WIG) from the Forestry Commission, LEADER and the new Farm and Forestry Investment Scheme (FFIS). 

Mike Furness from Ngage Solutions, the company responsible for delivering the WF WIG in the South East said:

"It was great to have a packed room to spread the word to.  We have already had two firm follow-up calls for significant roading schemes as a result of the event and we would encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch."

Feedback since the event also suggests a high level of interest in the LEADER and FFIS schemes, both of which are designed to assist rural businesses invest in green projects and new machinery.

There was a lot of debate on the night about how potential apprentices could be identified and retained in the forestry sector.  Some delegates also raised concerns about the cost of equipment and training for new staff.  However, a quick show of hands revealed that six businesses were considering taking on apprentices.  The training providers in attendance at the event (Plumpton College and Concept Training) also expressed great interest in supporting these businesses with work-based learning for apprentices.

The Forestry Commission provided a summary of how markets for woodland products, and in particular wood fuel, are developing and highlighted several examples of installed biomass heating schemes and local wood chip supply chains.

As the evening progressed a clear message emerged: A good package of support for the land-based sector still exists, and with the recent announcement of two major new grants (with a combined total of £30m funding) now is the time to pick up the phone and find out how your business can take advantage. 

The presentations from the event can be found here:

• Introduction
• Evolving market opportunities
• Woodfuel WIG
• LEADER and FFIS
• Plumpton College
• Apprentices

The imminent opening of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) at the end of November will provide a strong market-based opportunity for the forestry sector over the next few years.  If your business needs support on any of the subjects covered in this article then please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder on 01303 815 171 or matthew.morris@kentdowns.org.uk.