Chatham 2014
Images: Debbie Bartlett, 2014
EuroCoppice Event: People and Coppice
University of Greenwich, Medway, England
5th November, 2014
Following several Working Group Meetings (link here) and a field trip (pictures here), Working Group 5 Leader Debbie Bartlett organised a conference that highlighted "the people behind coppice" with individuals from different backgrounds who work with coppice.
This event aimed to give an overview of the coppice industry in South East England, with the focus on value-added production, particularly chestnut. It brought together academics and practitioners to explore the issues for different stakeholders; a setup that stimulated discussion on the differences and similarities between different countries.
Presentations were held on three main topics:
1 - The Coppice Woodland Resource,
2 - Access to the Resource Coppice, and
3 - The People Involved -- including landowners, woodland workers and product buyers.
To wrap up the event, Faculty members joined for a research presentation by Rob Jarman on the origin of chestnut in the UK.
Attendees from outside England were asked to fill in their comments on the presentations in supplied handouts (here is the participant sheet template). Over 40 sheets were returned and these are being analysed within WG 5. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Conference Presentations
Many thanks to all presenters; your sharing of knowledge and experience was much appreciated!
Session 1 The Resource
11.00 Keith Kirby: 11.20 Christine Reid: 11.35 Sally Marsh:
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Keepers of Time - Origins and historical context Protection of Coppice for Biodiversity - Legislative protection Landscape and Economy - Coppice in the landscape
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Session 2 Access to the Resource
12.15 Matthew Woodcock: 12.30 Debbie Bartlett: 12.40 Mike Bax: 12.50 Alan Sage: |
Estimates of current local woodland resource - Production potential On-going Coppice Survey - How much is being cut in S-E England? Linking to landowners - The agent's role The Local Woodland Register - The internet's role
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Session 3 The People Involved Landowners 14.00 Anthony Frampton: 14.10 Judith Millidge: 14.20 Matt Pitts: Managers & Workers 14.30 Tim Bell: 14.40 Nick Hilton: 14.50 John Drake: 15.00 Mike Gilman: 15.10 Steve Homewood: 15.20 Chris Letchford:
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Estate Woodland Coppice Management - Sealed bid tender system The Experience of Small Woodland Owners - Management Messages from woodland owners - What the owners want
Local Authority Perspective - An unusual solution in NWKent Contracting issues in a range of woodlands - E. Sussex and Kent 45 years in Kent Chestnut Coppice - Specialist coppice company Wood fuel manufacture and supply - Local producer and supplier Chestnut Fencing Manufacturing - Long established Surry company SSCG –achievements - Coppice cutters working together |
Image: Debbie Bartlett, 2014