Reaseheath Working Woodlands Day

Set in more than160 hectares of farmland surrounding college grounds of some 21 hectares, Reaseheath College is able to demonstrate a wide range of scenarios to the land based industries. The colleges second annual working woodland day was aimed squarely at the arboricultural, forestry and countryside management sectors, with invitations being sent out to the trade in the surrounding area.

Reaseheath College offers a several courses aimed at the arboricultural market; these include the RFS Certificate in Arboriculture and several Countryside Management courses in which arboriculture has a significant role, including the Higher National Certificate Countryside Management. Alongside operate a number of part time courses for professionals and the full suite of NPTC units available to those already working in the industry or those who wish to enter. The college also offers NVQ’s in arboriculture, suitable for those who are already in employment and wish to consolidate their experience and prior learning. NVQ’s are offered at levels two and three.

The working woodlands day is primarily an ordinary teaching day for the college. The idea to open the doors and allow the trade and public what the college has to offer in a realistic everyday setting. It works well. Days such as these attract machinery and equipment suppliers eager to demonstrate their products or launch new ones, particularly if they are local companies or already have an association with the college. The varied landscapes of the college allow the equipment to be shown in ‘real life ‘ situations, with both visitors and students able to experience the different work equipment that is being used around the demonstration site. The day was enthusiastically supported by a number of local suppliers, including Treeworks of Queensferry, who were showcasing the Jensen range of woodchippers together with Ranger access equipment. Joining them were Gunn JCB who had brought along the Greenmech tracked machines together with a representative range of JCB grounds care equipment, including the new Groundhog all terrain load carrier and the Ecorider low ground pressure off road bike. Whilst both machines probably sit better in the countryside management or forestry sectors, there can be no denying that some will find a home with arborists, particularly those engaged in site clearance or similar works. Stihl also took stand space as one of the colleges long- standing supporters.

One of the more traditional aspects of woodland maintenance on display at Working Woodlands was a demonstration by Alan Williams of Duddon, Tarporley. Alan is one of just a dozen or so professional horse loggers in the country and he was expertly hauling timber from woodland as part of the public display.

Horse logging, which is sometimes known as snigging, is the removal of felled timber using a horse. The material usually consists of first or second thinnings produced during the normal management of woodland. Logs are dragged out and stacked by the road or trackside to await later collection by lorry.

Horses are ideal for work on ecologically sensitive sites from where 8-10 tonnes of timber may be removed daily and hardly leave a trace. Equipment such as a traditional chain harness or a Norwegian timber arch may be interchanged depending on the type of site, gradient, terrain, extraction route, etc. Horses work quietly and are good for public relations where woodland management affects communities and amenities - a factor that prompted their inclusion here as the college works extensively with National bodies concerned with public access such as the National Trust. In fact, Reaseheath College has recently been selected as the national trainer for the National Trust. The college will be providing three year, tailor-made schemes for trainee gardeners and countryside wardens from National Trust properties throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
At full capacity the scheme, which begins in September, will cater for 60 trainees who will attend on a residential, block release basis. The course will lead to an NVQ level 3 in Amenity Horticulture or Environmental Conservation plus a range of practical skills and relevant qualifications such as safe use of chainsaws and pesticides, small tree felling, IT and first aid.

Also featured was a practical display of charcoal burning. Charcoal production is increasingly being seen as an integral part of small woodlot management and a potential revenue earner. The system on display and being operated throughout the days suitable for small-scale production as an add on to the normal management regime. Coppiced woodland, almost by accident, provides a continuously changing habitat. Some areas are open and some shaded. There may be big old oaks in one area and in others there may be young saplings. Flowers burst into life with the open sunlight and are replaced by shade-lovers as the tree-tops close over. As a consequence, coppicing is being reintroduced, especially in woodland that has public access available, either as a right or concessionary. However, most of our coppiced woodlands have fallen out of the regular management cycle and are as a result tall and shaded. They are poor in wildlife value and need managing. Only small areas of woodland can be managed by volunteer groups and if large areas of woodland are to be cared for then it has to be on an economic basis. This is where small scale charcoal production has a place.

The working woodlands day is scheduled to be repeated next year, with plans to increase both its size and trade participation. Certainly the catchment area of the college guarantees a wide cross section of businesses and individuals who should want to attend, especially if the event can be made attractive to those who may wish to utilise the services of either those who are exhibiting or even attending. The facility to bring together potential clients and contractors could make the day a ‘must visit’ event. In this respect a series of short seminars would be useful, ideally relating to practical arboriculture where a practical demonstration would be immediately available. Its timing, this year at the end of March, means that good weather cannot be relied upon. A date later in the spring would encourage visitor attendence and justify the move to a two day event, which is already being spoken of.

Contact: Reaseheath College
Nantwich Cheshire CW5 6DF
Tel: 01270 625665
www.reaseheath.ac.uk