THERE'S a chance to enjoy a day out in the ancient hazel woods of Dartmoor this month, learning all about the traditional art of coppicing.

Open to everyone, the workshops — November 22, 29 and December 6 and 13 — are designed to appeal to complete beginners as well as people with some experience. You will get a practical introduction to coppicing and learn how to grow, harvest and prepare coppice polewood for making into a myriad of traditional greenwood products.

The workshops are a great opportunity to test your tree identification skills, meet a bunch of like-minded people and to learn more about woodland management for people and wildlife. You will have a chance to harvest hazel rods and try your hand at making some traditional products. These were made by the skilled woodsmen of Devon for hundreds of years, before the Second World War and cheap imports took their toll on the people who made their living by these traditional rural crafts.

Once common all over Dartmoor, coppice woodlands provide a truly sustainable source of food and shelter for wildlife, and raw materials for man.

The Sustainable Coppice Partnership works to revive and revitalise coppicing in Devon for the benefit of wildlife and people, and to make heritage products for today's consumers.

The project aims to inform, educate and train people in traditional coppice skills and to create opportunities for new sustainable rural jobs and new sustainable woodlands for future generations to use and enjoy.

Workshops run from 9.30am to 4pm and cost £40 per person per workshop, payable in advance, to include all tools and tea and cake.

To book or to join the Sustainable Coppice Partnership's mailing list for future events and training, contact Dr Tean Mitchell on 01747 820718 or 07970 116 525 or email [email protected]">[email protected]