Rural skillsSustainability
First Burn: Making Artists' Charcoal at 100 Acer
Today was the first burn. I packed the retort with willow cut about three weeks ago from our coppice stools, sealed the end caps, and got it into a decent fire.
Blog
News, insights and musings from the heart of The Burrow.
Full transparency: It's been a busy few months what with working full-time, getting the website ready for launch and keeping up with demand for new products, so I sought help from my assistant Claude to get the ball rolling with the blog. I'm now in the process of re-writing the posts myself.
Mental HealthRural skills
Coppicing Hazel: Mental Health Benefits of Woodland Work and Traditional Crafts
I've come to recognise these afternoons for what they are: essential maintenance, not just for the woodland but for myself.
Crafting
The Art of Reading Wood: How I Transform Found Branches into Functional Beauty
Every piece of wood tells a story written in rings, knots, and weathered surfaces. Learning to read these natural narratives is an important skill.
CraftingPhilosophy
Copper Stitches and Silver Streams: A Modern Kintsugi in Wood
How ancient Japanese wisdom guides my approach to celebrating imperfection in reclaimed and foraged timber
CraftingSustainability
Out of the Skip, Into the Workshop
Why choosing reclaimed wood matters — for the environment, for the work, and for the story behind every piece.