The Silk Wood Barn

 

Ref: 10819

FORESTRY COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE
WESTONBIRT THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM

For immediate release: 24 July 2008

WESTONBIRT RAISES THE ROOF
Timber-framing course on site from 1-6 September

Join Westonbirt Arboretum for a week of barn raising this September.
From 1-6 September, 35 hearty souls are picking up traditional hand tools and constructing a medieval-style oak barn deep within the Forestry Commission’s ancient Silk Wood at Westonbirt. This 5-metre tall, sustainable Silk Wood Barn will be raised on the sixth day – echoing barn building of the past, but with the modern-day aid of a crane.

The course is lead by timber framer Henry Russell, of BBC ‘What Did The Romans Do For Us’ fame. Alongside Henry and a team of experienced tutors, course participants work towards raising and joining the frames on the final day. 

All the oak has been harvested from the surrounding Westonbirt woodland as part of an on-going programme of woodland restoration. There’s also the chance to camp on site and take guided walks through the 600-acre Forestry Commission national arboretum.

Three thousand shingles for the barn roof are being individually made from sweet chestnut and oak, and will be nailed on to larch batons. Some shingles will be made and individually signed by the public at Westonbirt’s Festival of the Tree (18-25 August).

Silk Wood Barn will stand on Westonbirt’s Native Tree Trail and become an important centre for greenwood skills and traditional crafts in the coming years.

Simon Toomer, Curator at Westonbirt Arboretum, said: “Silk Wood Barn will be a stunning natural building, perfectly at home in the ancient woodland at Westonbirt Arboretum. Here, we can not only train people in valuable woodland skills but also demonstrate the growing importance of managing our woodlands and so conserving their amazing biodiversity.”

Traditional timber framing course:
Monday 1 to Saturday 6 September
At Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Cost: £280 (including all meals and tools, free camping)/£240 for members of The Carpenters’ Fellowship and Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum.
Open to people of all levels of experience.

Contact: Barbara Czoch – barbara@carpentersfellowship.co.uk or visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt for further details.

Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round  from 9am-5pm. During September, admission to the whole arboretum is £7 for adults (£6 concessions), £2 for children (18yrs and under). Annual membership is also available.

Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road).  It is 10 miles north east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.

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For further information, interviews or photo opportunities please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt The National Arboretum

Tel: 01666 881 207
email: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk