(L) Volunteers learning new skills (R ) first project complete, a bench carved by the team in situ in the woodland
For some time, we have hoped to organise Green Woodworking sessions attended by Therapeutic Horticulture volunteers. It’s always sad when mature trees fall in times of drought, or limbs are brought down by high winds, we’ve been wanting to re-use the wood around the Gardens by transforming them into benches, tables and sculptures. Due to continued funding we receive from Jo Malone London, enabling activities like this to go ahead,
the project is now up and running. An all weather green woodworking outdoor studio has been created equipped with specialist tools including saw horses and pole lathes. Two members of staff lead the group each Thursday. “Volunteers find it so restorative,” says Stewart Holmes, Therapeutic Horticulturalist. “Working with the wood and focusing on the carving enables a mood in which you can lose yourself, focus in on the moment and all the ‘chatter’ of the outside world is left to one side.”