AFTER almost 21 years of operation, the Silvanus Trust — which covers all aspects of woodland management in Devon and Cornwall — has up-rooted and moved to its own offices in Stoke Climsland.

The trust, which was formerly based in Launceston, is delighted with the move to the former fudge factory at Kyl Cober Parc.

Training and finance manager Lynsey Faulkner said they had been looking for premises for over seven years. 'We have worked with the Duchy of Cornwall before and the fudge factory — which they own — cropped up in conversation about 18 months ago.'

The Duchy of Cornwall converted the building and the Silvanus Trust now occupy the downstairs.

Lynsey said: 'We also now have a nursery on adjacent land for small local projects,' she said. 'Trees are grown from seeds collected by school children. We try to have native and hedgerow trees and are fairly successful at growing oaks.'

Lynsey first worked with the trust as a volunteer after finishing college in 1994. 'It was the usual situation of not being able to get a job without experience and not being able to get experience without a job,' she said. One of the aims of the trust is to provide the experience to enable its volunteers to gain access into the industry.

'It's not the world's most romantic job, but there is a good intake of young staff in the industry, with colleges having courses,' said Lynsey, who was taken on as a member of staff after one year.

The Tap Routes project provides accredited training to volunteers and unemployed people, who work on community amenity projects in conservation, woodland, environmental and related areas. 'They have a chance to work towards an NVQ in conservation or administration, and it offers an alternative for those who don't want an academic base — it is a stepping stone,' Lynsey explained.

The trust delivers 25 training places a year, and the programme is funded until October 2002, when the trust and its partner in the project — BTCV — intend to re-bid with new proposals including more support for young people and occasional volunteers.

Another of the projects — Working Woodlands — is a partnership with Bow Maurice Ltd and has just been granted funding from the Objective One programme.

Field officer Jez Ralph — who also originally joined the trust as a volunteer — said their aim was to provide grant aid to businesses in the woodland sector that were not covered under other schemes — such as sawmillers and contractors.

The third project, Woodworks, is a job creation programme funded by the European Social Fund.

It offers wage subsidies, mentoring and training to sole traders or small businesses. Stephanie Wickison, from the project, said the aim was to create 30 positions a year.

'The businesses can range from a sawmill taking on a new employee to a carver, basket-maker or horse logger.

Stephanie explained that in the small woodland-linked industries new employees could not work at the normal speed, so productivity dropped. Also businesses might want to expand but couldn't put time into training.

'We help out by subsidising the wages or providing the training,' she said.

'This saves buying wood from further afield — it is sustainable management as coppices also provide a good environment, with wild flora underneath and butterflies.'

On the educational front, the Our Trees project works with schools and local communities — in particular assisting with the planting of trees and accompanying technical advice. The trust hopes to employ someone to work with schools before and after planting and has applied for funding.

The Silvanus Trust officially came into being in 1986, when it was developed as part of the Dartington Action Research Trust. It then had only three employees as opposed to nine following their recent move. Their trading subsidiary, Silvanus Services, has remained in Launceston.

Director Sue Blackler joined in 1998 and has been leading the business plan and securing funding for projects since then. One major achievement for such a small organisation was to obtain an Investors in People award, which it aims to maintain.

The trust's long-term aims include inspiring and involving local communities in woodland as a local asset; providing and disseminating accessible information, expertise and support; and influencing local, regional and national policy on sustainable and viable woodland.

l Further information on projects and details of volunteering opportunities can be obtained from Lynsey Faulkner on 01726 832516. Copies of the annual review and calendar are available on the same number, and enquiries from benefactors would also be welcomed.