WoodFair 2001
Over
9500 people enjoyed the huge variety and high quality of stands and
demonstrations at the sixth Weald WoodFair, organised by East Sussex
County Council, at Bentley, near Lewes. With only a few drops of rain over
the whole weekend, the atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried.
From
the Forest WoodFair
succeeds in bringing together the many processes that go into woodland
management, timber production and processing in a real woodland
environment. I watched
coppice bench-felling, mechanical and horse-powered timber extraction,
mobile sawmilling, wood chipping, charcoal making and the smallest
forwarder I’ve ever seen in action.
Elsewhere I found chainsaw maintenance workshops and browsed
through the many stands offering all the machinery, equipment, literature,
training and advice required to manage woodland and produce timber.
To
the Final Form With a raw product as infinitely adaptable as wood, the
extensive range of quality furniture and wood products on show and for
sale, encompassing the traditional, the modern and the unique, was
fascinating. Hazel-hurdle
making, log splitting, hedge laying, woodturning and green-oak timber
framing were also actively demonstrated.
Woodworking equipment, power-tools and hand-tools were available,
as were wood burning stoves and wood fuel.
And while taking a break at one of the refreshment marquees, I
enjoyed the delights of live acoustic fiddle and guitar music, perhaps the
most ethereal wood product of all.
For
both exhibitors and visitors, WoodFair offers an opportunity to make new
contacts and catch up with old friends, exchange ideas, promote products
and make significant sales. The
extent to which WoodFair gives representation to all areas of timber
production and wood-use gives us all an opportunity to celebrate this most
versatile of renewable resources.
If you are interested in exhibiting at
WoodFair 2002 (20th, 21st, 22nd
September) and would like further details please contact Jane Stevens,
Event Organiser, Tel: 01825 840573.
Visit www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/env/events
for a full 2001 exhibitor list. For more pictures visit www.countrylovers.co.uk/evnt
