Working Woods Project
Woodschool, established in 1996 near Jedburgh, is a unique initiative which adds value to natural and human resources in the Scottish Borders. By sourcing and processing greatly underused local hardwoods, and by nurturing the skills of young furniture designers, Woodschool is demonstrating local solutions to global environmental problems.
Woodschool uses local hardwoods that might otherwise be burnt or pulped and creates a diverse range of high-quality environmentally responsible products for interior and exterior use. Woodschool Ltd. is a trading arm of Borders Forest Trust. Any surplus generated by sale of manufactured products or expertise is reinvested in native woodlands and community woodland projects throughout the Scottish Borders.
The Working Woods project aimed to raise awareness of and encourage participation in Woodschool's sustainability philosophy. The project was to promote Woodschool nationally and internationally as a model of good practice, and encourage people of all ages to understand the value and beauty of local hardwoods and how they can be used in a sustainable way to make a positive contribution to people's lives and the environment.
Involving the end user in the landscape would lead to a more informed and materially aware public with a greater understanding of forest products, timber supply, resource management and environmental awareness.
Main outputs were to be the identification of the processes involved in sustaining best practice through hands-on involvement. This included a specified number of events demonstrating the Working Woods model, knowledge weekends for architects, designers and others to meet foresters and makers at the workbench, design-and-build weekends with undergraduates from Scottish universities and timber technology weekends with local schools.
The project managed to expose the use of local wood in many forms. Foresters, estate owners and farmers managed to see their logs being used for more than firewood. Several architectural practices are now specifying and procuring as a direct result of contact with the project. As a founder member, Woodschool helped develop the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, with it growing to include 70 businesses.
Woodschool designed prototype and small multiple run four chair designs, two table designs and 12 small product designs.
During the project Woodschool attended 120 days at events, exhibitions and conferences with product displays. This led to a database of over 4000 companies, organisations and individuals aware of the use of local timber. Attendance at events and market research by Woodschool demonstrated the willingness of end users of hardwood to use a more local product.
There was achievement in introducing the work into education at more than one level, with business and industry teacher placements, secondary school work placements and work with several further education colleges. There were community workshops and design of systems and products for groups in other parts of Scotland.
Woodschool has created marketable products and but much work remains to be done to turn embryo high-return potential in the industry into substantial national and international reality. Woodschool analysed carefully future development strategy and the problems and opportunities for local timber availability and usage. This included consideration of how work can be taken forward with its three distinct elements of design/making of quality wood finished products and raw timber, the promotion of the product and a mechanism to deliver it.
Contact
Woodschool Ltd
Monteviot Nurseries
Ancrum
Jedburgh
Scottish Borders
TD8 6TU
Telephone: 01835 830740 (Enquiries)
Email: enquiries@woodschool.ltd.uk
www.woodschool.ltd.uk