Archive: October 2022
Paradise Wood mapping project
October 7, 2022
See the 1% Woodland Tax in action at Paradise Wood, Oxfordshire One percent of our turnover is used for projects that help woodland thrive. We call it our 1% Woodland Tax. Recently, our MD Tom visited Paradise Wood in Oxfordshire to see how the Woodland tax is being put into action on a unique project. Paradise Wood is owned by Eart...
Wood Back Stories: Beautiful oak and ash from Longleat Forest
September 13, 2022
Where’s this wood from? These amazing logs are from Longleat Forest, in Wiltshire. Longleat has over 4000 acres of commercial continuous cover forestry. This incredible place is a large, ancient, broadleaved woodland with a high forest structure (including tall, mature trees), which is unique to the South West of Britain. [cap...
Why we need a UK Timber Strategy – our submission to the EAC
September 8, 2022
If we want home-grown timber in 40-years’ time, then we really must plan for it now. There is an urgent need for a National Timber Strategy, and we may have a chance to help shape it. The Environmental Audit Committee called for evidence for their inquiry into the UK timber industry and global deforestation. [UPDATE - In July 20...
Timber innovation: Rooted Landscapes investigates broadleaf glulam construction.
August 11, 2022
We were delighted to donate timber to Connie Beuchamp, a student who is completing her Masters in Architecture at the University of Arts London. Connie’s ‘Rooted Landscapes’ project explores topics that are very close to our own hearts. We asked her to tell us more about the project: I am an architectural designer and material re...
Community forestry film supported by the 1% Woodland Tax
July 28, 2022
Thinking deeper on community forestry: A new film supported by the 1% Woodland Tax A new film on community forestry has received a grant from the '1% Woodland Tax,' a fund from Vastern Timber to help forests thrive. Filmmaker Alice Carfrae has been commissioned by Timber Strategies to make a documentary film that explores what communi...
Project Grow pilot gets “10 out of 10”
July 7, 2022
Pilot project for young people has shown huge potential Project Grow is an outdoor learning project for 15-18 year olds who aren’t in work, education or training. The pilot project recently scored a ‘10/10’ rating from its participants. This initiative, which was set up last autumn, offers a supportive space for young people t...
Wood Back Stories: Larch from Hen’s Wood
July 6, 2022
Beautiful British-grown larch logs from Hen’s Wood Where’s this wood from? These exceptional larch logs are from Hen’s Wood, a privately owned woodland on the North Eastern edge of Savernake Forest in Wiltshire. The woodland is home to mixed broadleaf trees and areas of productive conifers such as Douglas fir and larch....
Apply for funding to help British woodlands
June 22, 2022
Is your organisation striving to protect, improve or expand British Woodlands? If you’re nodding enthusiastically, you could apply for one of our grants. How does it work? We’ve recently created our 1% woodland tax. A pledge to donate 1% of our annual turnover to help keep local woodlands thriving. We’re usin...
Tom’s new film asks ‘Can we Plant Enough Trees to Save us from A Warming Planet?’
June 16, 2022
'Wood for the Trees' is a series from Tom Barnes and Charly Le Marchant. Tom is managing director of Vastern Timber, and Charly is a film-maker and sustainability educator. They're both passionate about woods and trees, and since 2019 they've worked together to make films about the future of UK forests. In these short films Tom and Cha...
Vastern Timber joins Business Declares
June 9, 2022
Before we start, let’s be clear. We fully acknowledge the climate emergency. And recognise that we humans are the cause of it. We also understand that our business has a choice right now. We can carry on as normal and be part of the problem. Or take action and be part of the solution. Our decision is to act. And to be accounta...
