2020 New Directions

Geoff and I are excited about some changes we are making in our lives. So of course this includes Woodland Treasures. We are still in business and looking at ways to reduce the carbon footprint.This year Geoff is also completing his first stage of a Creative Writing...

How Did I Get Here? Part 3.

The renovation project, which we began in the autumn of 1995, proved to be a life-changing experience. We installed an old static caravan on site in April of that year, and to it added insulation, electricity, plumbing, a shower, a toilet and a wood-burning stove. By...

How Did I Get Here? Part 2

With a baby due in a few months and my wife leaving her job, I had to become more realistic about earning a living. I started working three days a week for my friend Mike, a high class joiner and furniture maker. I gave up smoking and cycled the twelve-mile round trip...

How Did I Get Here? Part 1

My journey into woodwork began out of desperation to leave a job I hated. In 1981 I dropped out of my Zoology degree course, disappointed at its content and distracted by my subculture’s zeitgeist – aptly summed up by Ian Dury’s song “Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll”....

Wood Fair and Edinburgh Holiday

Peebles was gorgeous as always in the Autumn light. The wood fair was very well attended and has expanded since we last went. Big Si was making broomsticks at a very fast rate. I chatted to him before the rush. Beech, rowan and yew all in their best outfits. The...
Peebles Woodmarket

Peebles Woodmarket

It is three years since we came to the Tweed Valley Forest Fair, in particular  the wonderful weekend event that is the Wood Market. This year we are foregoing the delights of Musicport festival in Whitby and returning to the creative wonders of Peebles. In the past...
A Short Visit to the Lower Arboll Vortex

A Short Visit to the Lower Arboll Vortex

Over the years I have written two articles for Permaculture Magazine. This is one of our favourite subscription reads, the others being Positive News and Reforesting Scotland. There is limited time for reading in any busy life. I make time for novels to relax and to...
Goodbye to the Magic Bus!

Goodbye to the Magic Bus!

For the last five years we have been travelling to events in England twice a year, where we sell Geoff’s hand carved wooden jewellery. It has been wonderful to carry our historic tent, all our stock and still be able to sleep and cook in our vehicle, plus being...
Road Trips

Road Trips

Two or three times a year we head off on a Woodland Treasures road trip, usually for a couple of weeks and incorporating two selling events. These working holidays are a great opportunity to investigate different parts of Britain we would not normally visit. It also...