We are pleased to announce that the Woodland Skills Centre in Bodfari has reopened with a number of traditional crafts courses as part of the campaign to keep these traditional crafts alive scheduled for September to November. Bookings started to come in from people from all over the UK eager to learn a new skill and take advantage of the relaxation of restrictions, the popular courses which range from bushcraft, willow sculptures, basket making and using medicinal herbs has already been booked up for this year but you can register you interest to attend for any future courses here
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The Centre recognises that not only are there lots of people who want to learn a new skill but that the tutors, who are expert craftspeople from all over the UK, normally rely for their income on running courses and selling their craft articles at shows and festivals – all of which opportunities have been closed to them this year. 
There are still some exciting courses which still have places available:
- Growing trees from seed – an introduction to small scale nursery work
- Make a bushcraft knife with master blacksmith Rich Jones
- Make a Sussex trug with expert Mike Church
- Making bird nest boxes and bird feeders from locally grown timber
- Spoon carving with nationally r,nowned craftsman Steve Tomlin
- Home Chainsaw – for all those who use or want to use a chainsaw on their own property and are looking for proper training
- Make a round rush basket with local expert Rosie Farey
- Make a rush hat also with Rosie Farey
- Bowl turning on a pole-lathe with Doug Don
- Managing a small woodland for people who own or want to buy a small woodland
- Introduction to coppice crafts including hurdles and other artefacts
- Hedge-laying with local expert Jim Kilpatrick
- Sharpening edge tools with Doug Don
- Using a pole-lathe
- Make a 3 legged stool
- Make a shave-horse
As well as the craft courses the Centre also runs course on Mindfulness using the 50 acre site with its woodlands.In order to deliver the courses safely attendees been reduced even though many courses are delivered outdoors or in a large wokshop area. All participants will have a non-contact temperature check on arrival, there will be hand gel in all areas, social distancing will be observed and details kept for the purposes of tracing.
Details of all courses can be found here or by emailing enquiries@woodlandskillscentre.co.uk