During the summer four of the group have been on a week's chainsaw training and we now have fully qualified tree-felling members in the group. We still have to get the relevant insurance but that will be in place before the start of our first work session this October. This training was paid for in part by our Awards for All grant, but the four trainees also made a contribution. With the remainder of the grant money we will be arranging some hedge laying training through the Devon Rural Skills Trust.

During September Dave Dann and Charles Mossman visited two landowners with a view to expanding our operations into coppice management. Both pieces of land, one at Pinhoe near Exeter and the other near to Zeal Monochorum, offer interesting opportunities for both hedgerow and coppicing work. There are still decisions to be made and an agreement to be reached with the landowner before we make any announcements.

We will be recommencing work on John Quicke's land near Sherwood House, Newton St Cyres on the 20th and 28th October weather permitting. We have bad weather fall-back dates 26th and 30th October. More details are included in the Calendar listings.

Once a suitable site has been found for hedge laying training, we'll set up a Doodle Poll to arrange a day's training for active members of the group.

As well as having the practical work sessions, we may have a social event in November, watch out for details.