National Tree Week provided fun for adults and children alike in the Forest of Bowland recently, when the Landscape Stories project organised two weekend workshops giving families the chance to get creative and learn from the professionals.

Willow weaving was the order of the day at Chipping Village Hall where artist Cherry Chung demonstrated how to make all kinds of things from simple willow wands.  Eager hands were soon producing very impressive results – with stars, fish and butterflies all making an appearance.

The action then moved to Beacon Fell Country Park where keen visitors got seriously stuck in to recycled paper making.  Guided by Anita Burrows, everyone rolled up their sleeves to experiment with wood shavings, pulp and fruit tea! 

 
The area around Chipping is particularly well known for its chair making history, a rural industry which would have relied heavily on a ready source of healthy timber close to hand. 
Traditional management techniques are an important part of helping to keep woodlands healthy and productive for wildlife, timber and visitors.

 And although no-one quite managed to make a willow chair, the Tree Week activities gave families the chance to see at first hand some of the things that can be made from wonderful wood!

Camera's at the Ready!

These great images were taken by keen photographers, Amy Croasdale and Alan Pilkington on a beautiful, sunny day at the end of January.  Amy and Alan joined us on a really enjoyable workshop aimed at capturing some of the distinctiveness of Chipping - its natural and built heritage - on camera!  Do you recognise any of the locations?

Many thanks to Alan and Amy for letting us use their pictures.