May 2010:

The bluebells are finally out, the smell of wild garlic is in the air and the sun is starting to feel warmer. This season brings a great feeling of new beginnings and what better time to be embarking upon a long term dream of setting up a Woodland workshop?

You may have seen the Greenwood Workshop at various local fetes and fairs around Purbeck, demonstrating the ancient technique of turning green wood on a pole lathe.

As of this summer the greenwood workshop will be based in a woodland within the Purbeck hills. Using only the wood from the woodland I will be producing my chairs, stools, bowls and spoons using a pole lathe, shave horse and hand tools only (no electricity) just a lot of leg power!

So what is Greenwood working?

Greenwood working is the term given to anything made out of freshly felled wood, ideally within three months of being cut as the piece of wood still has a high moisture content.; this enables it to be easily shaped using hand tools.

At the greenwood workshop, I concentrate on bodging -or chair making as it is referred to today. The process begins with a freshly felled log, which is riven (split) down the grain using a froe (type of axe). The corners of the section are then trimmed off using a side axe, from here the piece of wood is held in place using a device called a shave horse; this allows you to trim the log further into a cylinder with a draw knife.

The final shaping and decoration is done on the pole lathe. Components can be steam bent, the fire for which is fueled by chippings from the workshop floor so nothing goes to waste. Once the chair or stool is assembled I oil the wood and weave the seat out of rush.

Finished chairs will be on display during Purbeck Art Weeks. Come along and watch the process at Rollington Barn – or get stuck in and have a go yourself!

Plans for the future include charcoal burning, woodland management and regular courses in Greenwood working so watch this space…. or visit my website on www.greenwoodworkshop.co.uk          Toby Hoad