HISTORY STAR TEACHES TRADITIONAL TIMBER SKILLS
 Woodwork fans are invited to sign up for a traditional carpentry course, led by Henry Russell of ‘What the Romans Did For Us’ fame, and help to spruce up a Forest of Dean youth campsite.
The Forestry Commission is pleased to host a second timber-framing course this August at the Biblins Youth Camp. Last year Henry Russell taught students the timber framing skills that are used to build a traditional ‘Herfs’ Barn.
The course will give the opportunity for local people of all ages and skill ranges to try out and learn new skills in carpentry catering for those completely new to carpentry and experienced woodworkers who want to learn more about traditional methods of building.
This year a new timber frame camping barn will be built at the camp using, locally-sourced wood. Project funding comes from the Herefordshire Leader+ Programme, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the European Social Fund. and has the backing of the AONB. The new course will give the opportunity for local people of all ages and skill ranges to try out and learn new skills in carpentry. This course will cater for those completely new to carpentry and experienced wood-workers who want to learn more about traditional methods of building.
Young people come from all over Britain to Biblins Camp Site, for the ‘wilderness’ experience offered by this stunning area of the Wye Valley AONB. “The camping barn will offer very basic sheltered facilities for groups of young people who would otherwise not be able to experience camping because they are unable to afford camping equipment such as tents”, says Sally Harvey, Camp-site Warden.
Traditional methods of carpentry will be practised alongside the use of modern timber framing tools. The residential course will offer participants both fun and enthusiastic support from fellow students.
In 2006 Henry Russell taught traditional timber framing to more than 20 students who built a wet weather shelter. This year they will fit a sliding roof onto a contemporary design camping barn. Pete Whiteman, a student from last year’s course, said:
“I enjoyed sitting at the feet of a real expert and Henry Russell is such an enthusiastic teacher, I gained confidence in the techniques and have since been inspired to build my own Summerhouse from oak timber.”
Visits to Biblins have been life changing experiences for many young people. The camp is well used by a great variety of youth groups from Scouts and Guides to under-privileged youngsters from Britain’s inner cities –some of whom are experiencing camping for the first time.
This project will provide a unique, specially designed camping barn and covered assembly area for wet weather. In addition interpretative panels will give information about this very special location deep in the Wye Valley surrounded by Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated woodlands and wildlife habitats. The facilities, such as the shower block, heated by solar power, have green credentials. A new toilet block is also to be installed in the next year
Three five- day courses will be held on 13th-17th August, 20th-25th of August and 27th – 31st August 2007 at Biblins Youth Campsite in the Forest of Dean . They will cost £200 each. Early booking is essential. For enrolment contact the Forestry Commisison on: 01594 833 057
EDITORS NOTES
· For more than 50 years, Biblins has been a Youth Campsite, giving young people from all over GB the opportunity to experience the great outdoors in fantastic ‘back-woods’ location, nestled in the Wye Valley AONB, miles form the public road and mobile phone reception.
· This project will provide a unique, specially designed camping barn and covered assembly area for bad weather. In addition interpretative panels give information about this very special locaton deep in the Wye Valley surrounded by SSSI designated woodlands and wildlife habitats. The facilities, such as the shower block, have green credentials, heated by solar power. A new toilet block is also to be installed in the next year
· Photographs attached: Henry Russell, Biblins Campsite from the Seven Sisters Rocks. Please credit the Forestry Commission for the use of these images.
· For more information about the building project, contact: Brian Kedward on 07785 577608
LEADER+ is a European-wide Programme of grants with individuals Countries bidding for funding and then operating smaller programmes throughout that country. Herefordshire Rivers LEADER+ is one such smaller Programme in Britain.The Herefordshire Rivers LEADER+ six -year programme has approximately £1.25m available to support local community activity that finds new ways to enhance, interpret, utilise and record the natural environment and historical resources of the countryside of the Wye and Lugg Catchments. Funding for the programme has been made available thanks to money from the European Union, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Advantage West Midland
The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) supports projects that conserve and enhance the beauty and characteristics of the Lower Wye Valley, encourage people's appreciation and enjoyment of the area, and improve the wealth and well-being of local communities.
· Henry Russell hosted the BBC series: ‘What Did the Romans Do For US’. He has been involved in a number of traditional timber framing schemes with the Forestry Commission, including the barn at Leigh Woods, Bristol and the Oak Hall at Westonbirt Arboretum. Henry was the tutor for residential Timber Framing Courses last year at Biblins,
· The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is an internationally important protected landscape. Designated just before Christmas 1971. The AONB surrounds a 72-mile stretch of the River Wye from the rocky outcrop of Chepstow Castle to just south of the city of Hereford, straddling the borders between England and Wales, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire in the process.
Issued by Dee Ashurst, Public Affairs Manager, for the Forestry Commission in the Forest of Dean, Bank House, Bank Street, Coleford, GL16 8BA Tel: 01594 833 057
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