The Hampshire Coppice Craftsmens Group

"Putting Life into your Landscape"

Hampshire Coppice Craftsmen’s Group was well represented at the Green Fair, although we were spread around a bit,

Kester Westcott and his Firewood processor.

because Darren has a fixed place, and we (Wesnet Services Ltd.) needed a lot of room and were periodically noisy.

HCCG had one of the new shelters, together with the seats, and of course a banner. Otherwise, Les and Toni Brannon were demonstrating rake making, allowing the children to make the tines with varying degrees of success, Dave Lister was spar making, Alan Waters was making plant wigwams, Darren Hammerton and his merry men were shingle making, and John, Chris and Kester Westcott were firewood processing, pole lathe turning and green woodworking. A good variety of coppice craftsmen’s work.

Overall the Fair was very interesting. There were a number of alternative energy suppliers such as veggie powered cars, solar and wind power and wood fuel both as logs and chips. Covers had a stand as they have an outlet in Chichester where you can get a lot of things for making your house ‘greener’. Most of the countryside groups like the South Downs Joint Committee (AONB), Wildlife Trust, RSPB and local bat group came. There was a choice of food, and a good selection of other ‘green’ stalls including the one next to us which has found a use for an exercise bike to power a washing machine.

The weather was good, it was well organised, and there were plenty of visitors. All of us had a good day and enjoyed it very much. Our thanks to Janet and the others for all the hard work that went into making it a successful day.

Chris Westcott

Alan Walters making a Wig-Wam plant support	Part of the groups LHI display with signs and one of the pram hood shelters