Keith, Dave and Eoin will be up at Wooplaw for a bit of fresh air, greenworkout to get the mince pies off us ! We will be there from about 10am for the day. Bring a hot drink and something to eat. We are cutting hazel for the chair courses that we are holding next year. Come and see how its done.

It was a bit chilly that day but a few hardy folk turned out from John Muir Trust staff. Thanks for a a great end to a great year. \see you all next year perhaps ? Merry Christmas Everybody !!!!!

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has released details of the areas of the National Forest Estate that are available for community-led hydro developments. Communities now have an opportunity to develop proposals for renewable energy projects through the FCS’ National Forest Land Scheme (NFLS).

The available areas are detailed in maps accessed through a “map viewer” on the FCS website - link to viewer from: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/communitiesandrenewables . That site has other information and guidance on the process for groups to select sites, undertake initial feasibility work and develop a NFLS application. It also identifies sources of support and advice including Community Woodland Association and other third-sector partners e.g. Community Energy Scotland, DTAS and SCVO.

Community groups now have until 30 June 2012 to submit an Expression of Interest Form (download it from FCS website). A similar process is planned for community-led wind energy projects and due to start around the end of January 2012 - keep checking the weblink. Please get in touch with http://www.communitywoods.org  if you need advice or help in taking forward an expression of interest.

We thought we would share a comment made by a recent workshop participant -

"I'm amazed that I made (with lots of help) a piece of large, friendly, usable furniture in just one day.  Straight from the woods - no waiting for, or ordering of materials, thus giving a direct connection with the woods and trees.  I was also amazed at/seduced by the pure white wood being revealed by stripping the willow bark. Keith and Eoin are fab instructors, very patient, knowledgeable and, very fortunately, 100 steps ahead of us students.

I feel that I come to life when I do your workshops, feel a great sense of freedom. It's always difficult when you start working with new materials/tools, you feel a bit stupid/awkward/ out of your comfort zone, but I still feel free from what I do normally, and generally everyone in the class is in the same boat, in a learning situation.

Normally I draw what I want to see made and/or use stock materials and expect the object to 'be' that drawing. But being in a situation where you have to react quickly, work with unknown materials, learn to use what's immediately available can be alarming initially but it makes you more resourceful, gives you a good understanding of the materials and bridges the gap between us and our ancestors. There are no 'down the line' implications to what I make there, no fussy clients or employers to please. It is done for pure enjoyment and for the making process.  I'm sure my not so distant, itinerant, ancestors must have made things like this, they were pretty resourceful folk.

I will be back to make something else, maybe a shaving horse next time ! "

We thought that we would round off the year with a rogues gallery of workshop photographs. Adults of all ages, occupations, and abilities have attended our day and weekend course. Taking place either at Harestanes Centre or Wooplaw Woods.