Coppicing - Leader Rob
Despite a forecast of truly dreadful weather,
which never materialised, 9 hardy individuals turned out for a
day of coppicing. The venue was Littleworth Woods an area of woodland
owned by the National Trust near Snowshill situated in the north
of the County. Located on the side of a valley, this was the GVCV's
first visit to this remote and beautiful woodland for approximately
8 years. 
The weather was excellent - dry, cool and bright, ideal for outdoor work.
It was a day of heroic deeds. Phil walked all the way from Winchcombe taking around 90mins. Unfortunately this sapped his energy, as his normally prodigious work rate tailed off after the mid morning break! Martin, the National Trust warden for the North Cotswolds struggled manfully with a very reluctant bonfire all morning eventually succeeding at lunchtime!
We carried on coppicing an area started
by the Cotswold Wardens a few weeks previously. By lunchtime a
large area of coppice had been cut and a considerable amount of
brash had built up. Any material suitable for hedgelaying such
as stakes and bindings was saved for future use. 
After a very pleasant lunch sat round the now raging fire, we started the afternoon shift with renewed vigour - well most of us anyway.
By late afternoon, most of the cut material had been burnt or salvaged for hedgelaying and a large section of woodland had been coppiced once more.
The scene was set for our return in the new year.
