adventa
adventa's Woodland Revival Project has brought together elements of research, social enterprise, local rural business and education.
Training has been provided at its Wentwood workshop for the Intermediate Labour Market where good quality items of garden furniture, as well as items for the home or business from local sourced sustainable timber, have been produced. For further information please see http://www.siren-ltd.com/.
Two feasibility studies were completed as part of this project, one to explore the potential for a Woodland Visitor Centre at Wentwood Forest and the other to recommend ways of interpreting local woodlands for social, environmental and health benefits.
Local businesses were supported by the development of a Monmouthshire Wood User Directory that brought together information about those working in the timber industry across the county. It also acted as a signpost for businesses to others within the same enterprise as well as supplying information about the local timber industry to members of the public.
At Usk Rural Life Museum the project helped to re-furbish the woodland craft displays using local wood and pictures showing how timber is processed. Woodland related events and workshops with local schools helped to promote the message that local wood is good!
Throughout the project we have engaged other woodland partners such as Forestry Commission Wales, The Woodland Trust and the National Trust to offer guided walks and events exploring the rich diversity of trees, the archaeology and conservation of woodlands.
The project concludes in June, however, the lessons we have learned and the partnerships developed will be taken forward to the next phase of our work in Monmouthshire.
Find out more about adventa on their website; http://www.adventa.org.uk