I’ve been volunteering with BTCV for nearly 3 years now but over the last few months the work for me has taken on a slightly different aspect….. I’m retired and have the time and the inclination to develop new skills….. So….. I’m teaching myself the skills and knowledge involved in traditional bowmaking and find that some of the work I do with BTCV is actually creating the raw materials I need…. Everyone thinks of Yew wood as the right stuff for bowmaking…. But actually, it’s very hard to come by and for someone at my stage of development far too expensive to take the risks involved in learning the craft. (My main guide “The Bowyers Bible” was very reassuring that all bowyers break their first few bows)….
What I have found is that the small trees and saplings of Ash and Birch that we often cut down to make room for more diverse undergrowth are ideal for an “apprentice” bowmaker…. and free! All but one of the bows pictured are made from Ash or Birch from the North Edinburgh cycle track….. as are my arrows….Mainly from last years growth of Willow….(I did buy the Turkey feathers but will be on the look out for free Goose feathers when they’re moulting).
I know other BTCVers who gather Willow for basketmaking and Ash saplings for Yurt making……. Sorry, no photos of the Yurts yet……
I should add that BTCVing also gives me good access to fuel for my multi-fuel stove, (approved under the smoke control laws). Last year’s cleared small trees and saplings are by now well seasoned…I take them home in my bike trailer after sawing them into trailer sized logs…..Thus getting warmed up at least 3 times… by sawing , cycling and burning! (Note the Willow basket trailer body).
Traditional skills like basket making and bowmaking are growing in popularity. I hope that BTCV, who already do some green woodworking courses down south will continue to develop links with traditional craftspeople to provide more such courses and to make optimum use of the raw materials we produce when volunteering….
Rob Hainsworth