STUDENTS from Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, who are studying the extended diploma in countryside and wildlife management, visited Buckland Abbey to construct a traditional sweet chestnut cleft post and rail fence.

The group met Andrew Wrayford, head ranger at Buckland Abbey, who gave a short talk and demonstrated the technique of cleaving the logs to the students, who then had a go themselves.

They spent the day preparing the wood for construction by cleaving the logs into the correct sizes.

Using a range of traditional hand tools they prepared the posts and rails, making the mortise and tenon joints.

Duchy College course manager Phil Harwin said: 'The students had a fantastic day at Buckland Abbey and learnt a great deal about using traditional methods with traditional tools to create the sweet chestnut cleft post and rail fence.'

For further details on the countryside, conversation and gamekeeping courses available at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, contact the college on 0845 605 0455.

Alternatively, visit the website at http://www.duchy.ac.uk">www.duchy.ac.uk