Small Woodland Owners' Group (SWOG)

News & Events

  • June 2016 Newsletter

     It’s hard to believe summer is officially here, but the latest newsletter is full of news guaranteed to warm the hearts of SWOG members. What do owners do with their woods? How SWOG supports owners Free track maintenance pilot scheme for south-east owners Ash dieback – how you can help Inside an ancient oak with Loris  

  • Ancient Woodland Restoration

    Jim Smith has written to us with news of an important initiative in the Sussex Weald, aimed at helping land owners restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) back to ancient woodlands.  If you have further comments or questions, please contact him directly.       We have already lost the vast majority of our…

  • Wondering what to do about ash dieback?

    Tim Rowland, development Officer with the Future Trees Trust, as sent us their latest press release about a project they are running aimed at combating ash dieback. Here’s how you can help   A unique project is hoping to stem the tide of the ash dieback disease by encouraging people to help in finding the…

  • May 2016 Newsletter

    We’ve just missed May Day, but the latest SWOG newsletter holds the promise of spring. There is a report from the SWOG visit to the fabulous Tortworth Arboretum, the opportunity to take part in a research project with the University of Leicester and news of several woodland-related events coming up this month.

  • April 2016 Newsletter

    Grants are up for grabs for south-eastern owners, there is advice on choosing woodland courses, and read about the Ancient Tree Forum, the wonderful organisation that protects Britain’s most venerable trees.

  • SWOG meeting Tortworth Arboretum 23 April

    SWOG meeting 2pm Saturday 23 April, Tortworth Arboretum, South Gloucestershire Tortworth Arboretum is a 20-acre site near Wooton-under-Edge, which was once owned by the Ducie family and forms part of the original Tortworth Estate. From the time he inherited the estate in 1853, the third Earl of Ducie, Henry John Moreton, complemented the existing ancient…

  • Woodfairs 2016

    Weird and Wonderful Wood 14–15 May 2016 Haughley Park, Wetherden, Stowmarket, Suffolk www.weirdandwonderfulwood.co.uk The Bushcraft Show 28–30 May 2016 Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes, Rosliston, Derbyshire www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk The Arb Show 3–4 June 2016 Westonbirt Arboretum www.trees.org.uk/The-ARB-Show West’s Wood Fair 18 & 19 June 2016 East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex www.westswoodfair.co.uk Royal Highland Show 2016 23–26 June…

  • March 2016 Newsletter

    Spring into March with the latest SWOG newsletter! SWOG meeting planned in Gloucestershire at Tortworth Arboretum. For those whose tracks have become worn down and muddy in the winter, read Rich’s tips on how to improve them. It’s not only the humans who will benefit – you’ll encourage biodiversity, too. Finally, the Forestry Commission has…

  • February 2016 Newsletter

    We kick off the February newsletter with a hint of good news about research into chalara resistance, inspirational coppicing from Sussex and the new Charter for Trees, Woodlands and People, a campaign which we are firmly behind. There’s also news of advice sessions available from the Forestry Commission, as well as meetings organised by our…

  • Charter for Trees, Woods and People

    SWOG members are already clear about the importance of trees in their own lives and to society as a whole, so let’s all welcome the Charter for Trees, Woods and People. SWOG is joining more than 40 organisations led by the Woodland Trust in a campaign to celebrate the value of our trees and woods and…

  • News January 2016

    We’re beginning 2016 with a short newsletter, but normal service will be restored in February. Take a look at the latest videos from Woodlands.co.uk: Tinder in the woodlands Paul Beadle of the Woodland Education Service explains how to light a fire without matches. An introduction to cabinet making Furniture designer and maker Andrew Marsh shares the secrets…

  • A Christmas tree for Stony Stratford

    Every Christmas Trafalgar Square receives a fir tree from the people of Norway. Market Square in Stony Stratford has a tree from a little closer to home, courtesy of SWOG member Andy Malleson who fells one from his small plantation at Gayhurst.