This week is - National Beanpole Week - a week for celebrating local woods and woodland products and in particular locally grown beanpoles.
We went to an exhibition at Consall Nature Park today which had displays from crafts people all working with local willow and hazel.
There were people making bean poles, pea sticks and marker sticks and selling them along with bags of charcoal and logs.
We watched the crafts people weaving wicker fences and baskets and working a wood turning lathe.
It was all very interesting and visitors were encouraged to 'have a go' at the various activities.
We then went for a gentle stroll into the woods where, although the car park of the country park was full to bursting, it was very quiet. We watched a woodpecker as it flitted between trees way ahead of us. The ground was covered with wood sorrel, wood avens, dog's mercury and coltsfoot. It won't be long before the bluebells will be out and dangling their dainty bell shaped heads. Isn't this a wonderful time of year?
At home we use poles and supports made from tree cuttings, the ones above are from the trees you can see top right of the photo, rather than buy in the imported cane ones.
We also have our own hazel tree to use for poles and sticks;so I think we are doing our bit in support of National Beanpole Week.
Thanks for all your lovely e-mails and messages after my last post. I've tried to answer you all a few at a time. Things are a little easier now but I'm still doing things very gently!
Sounds like a nice day out. You were'nt in the Ash Bank hotel yesterday afternoon? You've got a double if you were'nt and if it was you I wished I'd plucked up the courage to say hi. I do that though and hubby laughs because when they say no, I'm not so and so it makes me look daft.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could have all your interesting gardening exhibition overhere!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your back is feeling better! Take care!
Michela xxx
P.S.Thank you for your lovely comment!
That looked fascinating.I have always fancied having a go at basketwork.Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you had a nice day - and that you are feeling a bit better. Take one day at a time and don't rush things.
ReplyDeleteLove Kathy xxx
I like the sound of National Beanpole Week! I think I need to have a look around my garden and see what I can use as plant supports instead of my usual bamboo canes. x
ReplyDeleteI love crafts like this. It looks really interersting. It was a lovely weekend for it. xxx
ReplyDeleteAmanda, it wasn't me - never been to the Ash Bank Hotel - is it good for a meal? One day we will meet, I'm sure:)
ReplyDeleteYou've a double! Glad you feel a bit better, not that the rain helps today, but we do need some for the garden. The Ash Bank (Werrington)does a great carvery for £3.59. Worth a trip out although you have to go later on a saturday as its busy.
ReplyDeleteAh, a different type of beanpole! I did think when I read the title of your post that it was a sure certainty that I would never feature in anything to do with National Beanpole Week. I does sound interesting - where do you find all these different events to go to, Rosie? Is there a particular on-line national site that you visit to get information? Glad to hear you are beginning to feel better.
ReplyDeleteOur hazel hurdles were made by a fantastic artisan in Somerset and they're weathering down nicely. I'm trying to use all natural materials for supports but my hubby went out and bought a load of bamboo with which he proceeded to make into supports for the beans and peas in the veg garden! I will ever so discretely change them for some hazel sticks I have used elsewhere! Bless him!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very interesting day out. They have a wood fair at Ickworth House in the autumn which is interesting too.
Glad you are feeling better Rosie but take it easy, you don't want a relapse!
Jeanne
x
It is a wonderful time of year indeed, take it easy though, no heavy lifting!
ReplyDeleteHelen, I saw a poster about the Woodland event and looked up more on the web:)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that more and more craftspeople are making use of our native woods. Like you I have a couple of small hazel trees which this coming winter will be mature enouigh for their first coppice and so next year I shall have my own home grow plant supports. I've only just read about your snapped cartilage, glad to hear it is improving a bit.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of National Beanpole Week! I'm in awe of people with these kind of skills. I have a hazel tree which I use for supports, but maybe not this year. There is a blackbird nest close by which I don't want to disturb, or be attacked by an adult bird! x
ReplyDeleteanother beautiful post.
ReplyDeletei love seeing your garden.. thank you so much for sharing it xxx