Small Woodland Owners' Group (SWOG)

Author: Judith

  • Newsletter December 2017

    December newsletter The festive season has arrived again and we wish all our members a very Merry Christmas. Take a few moments to read the latest news from SWOG, including New woodland creation and PAWS restoration grants for the Midlands Special offers on books for Christmas Discounted workshops and courses around the coutnry First aid…

  • Launching the Tree Charter

    It was great to celebrate the launch of the Charter for Trees Woods and People at Lincoln this week. More than 70 organisations have worked for two years under the leadership of the Woodland Trust to create a new tree charter that aims to put protection for trees and woodlands at the heart of government…

  • Newsletter November 2017

    November newsletter What can woodland owners do about soil erosion and depletion?  We look at the launch of the Sustainable Soil Alliance, which provides some ideas. Rich is building a timber-framed barn using traditional techniques as far as possible, and all from wood he has felled and milled himself. Read his account of how it’s…

  • Memories of the Great Storm of 1987

    Britain went to bed on the night of 15th October 1987 having heard weather forecaster Michael Fish reassure the nation that it might be a bit windy, but there was certainly no prospect of a hurricane engulfing the country.

  • Newsletter October 2017

    We couldn’t let the October newsletter blow by without reminiscing about the great storm of 1987. Arborist Christopher Sparkes shares his memories of Britain’s windiest night. Was the storm actually a blessing in disguise for trees in southern England? Karen Elliott, a winner of both SWOG’s Big Picture Competition and a Woodland Award for photography, tells…

  • Newsletter September 2017

    The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness appears to have started early this year and SWOG is gearing up for autumn. With  news of workshops and courses around the country, the September newsletter includes a useful piece on tree tech: mobile apps for tree ID, wildlife recording and woodland management. More than 1,000 people across England, Scotland…

  • Newsletter August 2017

    It may be the dog days of summer, but in our latest newsletter, SWOG members can look forward to a packed autumn schedule of courses and workshops. Read about the SWOG butterfly workshops and download our information sheets here. We’re also looking forward to the Bentley Woodfair in September, and SWOG members qualify for an…

  • Butterfly Notes

    Thanks to Steve Wheatley and Neil Hulme of Butterfly Conservation for these notes about butterfly species and how to encourage them in woodlands.       Butterflies of Plattershill Woods Tottington butterflies Combwell butterflies

  • Newsletter July 2017

    Summer is in full swing and woodland glades are dappled with sunshine – at least we hope so! The July newsletter is here: Take Sylva’s British Woodland Owners’ Survey from 7 July Sign up for SWOG meetings – don’t miss a special day at the Bulworthy Project on 15 July Learn about tackling invasive species and…

  • The Butterfly Effect

    Managing your woodlands for butterflies There are over 50 species of butterfly in the UK, along with more than 2,000 species of moth. Sadly, they have all been in decline for the past 40 years, but woodland owners are in a unique position to help support butterfly populations. With just a little work, woodland owners…

  • Newsletter June 2017

    ‘There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.’ (Washington Irving) Settle back and enjoy a midsummer SWOG newsletter. Read about • The SWOG horse logging meeting in County Durham •  The all-round benefits of community woodlands •  CONFOR’s…

  • Horse-logging demonstration 13 May

    Join us for the visit to Karen Moon’s 9-acre wood at High Stoop in County Durham. SWOG members can enjoy a day in the woods, watching a demonstration of horse-logging and learning about the advantages of this traditional, low-impact aspect of woodland management.