Small Woodland Owners' Group (SWOG)

News & Events

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • December 2015 Newsletter

    Wafted in on an unseasonably warm breeze, amid cries of ‘I don’t know where the year’s gone’, the December SWOG newsletter is a seasonal offering of peace and contemplation. There is news of the 2016 RFS Excellence in Woodland Award, a new registration scheme initiated by the Surrey & Sussex Coppice Group to put owners…

  • Turbosawmill Demonstration Day

    Thanks to Matt Kenyan the new UK distributor of Turbosawmills for bringing to our attention the demonstration day he is putting on together with the Jake Peterson, the designer of the mill.

  • Survey – do you get a commercial return from your wood?

    Christine Meadows,  a Forestry and Woodland Management degree student at Plumpton College has contacted us with a request for woodland owners to fill in a short questionnaire.  Her particular interest is in how well  small woodland owners understand and feel able to address the opportunities for commercial return from their woodlands.

  • November 2015 Newsletter

    With the mists swirling around in November, prepare yourself for the mellow fruitfulness of the SWOG newsletter. Resilient woodlands – preparing for an uncertain future Thirty Years in Wilderness Wood – a review of Chris Yarrow’s fascinating story about his Sussex woodland Trees on the telly – a round-up of recent broadcasts about woodlands, including…

  • Farm Business Innovations 2015

    The Farm Business Innovation Show is for more than just the diversifying farmer, we have leading woodland and forestry experts speaking across the two days (11th & 12th November, NEC Birmingham) who can help you reach your financial, sustainability and rural business goals. This, combined with experts in areas including planning, funding and rural tourism, makes this…

  • Free Woodland Restoration Workshop

    We are indebted to the Woodland Trust for inviting woodland owners to a free woodland restoration workship.  Please contact Jim Smith-Wright (details below) if you are interested in attending. Friday 4th December in Laughton, East Sussex 11 am to 4pm This will include sessions on woodland management, planning and grants available. The afternoon session will…