The Hampshire Coppice Craftsmens Group

"Putting Life into your Landscape"

The assembled members of the group watching the films we hope to use for the display

The objective of this meeting was to learn how to put up the shelters that the group has been working on as part of the LHI project, so of course the weather was damp, breezy and cold.

Phil brought along the three seats; the bent wood, the barrel and the spar seat, all with their cushions telling the story of the history of this use of hazel. They were very comfortable and looked good.

The first stage of putting up the shelter was to shave down the ends of the poles to fit the metal ends. Once this had been done, we could not only put up the shelter, but get the barbecue lit, as it was being used as a prop for the other ends of the poles.

Jo Waters lit the barbecue very efficiently using just a few pieces of paper, the silver birch bark and birch twigs being too damp, and some charcoal from Les Brannon and Pete Jameson soon got going.

All hands to the ropes trying to put up one of the tents in a stiff breeze.

Phil showed the amended film and a couple of other films on the player that will be used for the display.

The last bit was to take down the shelter in a fairly stiff breeze. Again an interesting exercise.

Thanks to all who organised the meeting.

Chris Westcott