It’s been slow work in the woods this week. With the snow lying on the ground it has been tough moving logs.

Five years ago this fence was erected to save the regeneration from deer. The spruce trees were felled and the native trees coppice. We have had some set backs. The deer managed to push under the fence and browsed the tops of the tree and rabbits have chewed what was left. We have managed to keep the deer and rabbits out for a few years which has help the trees grow beyond the reach of the deer. The trees we planted for tree o’clock a few years ago now have full tree guards on them. Should be interesting to see how the flora a fauna cope with the deer there.

Last week I have been experimenting with a new type of chair (new to me anyway!)
I used some scrap planks as a proto type to try and get a comfortable angle.
Made from Oak that I milled myself. The chair is made with two half slot so it is easy to assemble or take apart for storage over winter. I will be making something similar as a bench. Watch this space.

Made by hollowing out a green log and making a groove around the bottom and tapping in a seasoned piece of wood. When it dries you get a tight fit.

I’ve become quite addicted to them. I have a Birch log waiting in the workshop to make a few more.

Soon I will be making a few giant pots. Watch this space.

I was demonstrating at the first South Downs wood fair last weekend. It was a successful fair with plenty to do, from Vikings, saw mills to traditional crafts demonstrated by the Hampshire coppice group.

I made this chair as part of the coppice group demo’s.

On another note it looks like a bumper crop of Hazel nuts this year. Best to collect them in august when the squirrels start taking them. Leave them somewhere sunny to ripen.

July 3rd saw another hands on day hosted by the Sussex and Surrey coppice group at Fernhurst Furnace.

Mark Allery was on the polelathe. I was showing others stick chair making. Others showing hands on was Rob with he’s newly designed lathe which used a bicycle gears to power the lathe. Rake making, oak pegs, chestnut palings were also being shown.

Mike from Frought Rought was letting people have a go at blacksmithing.

And we have a group on Facebook. Just search for Morgans wood.