Did you know?

We use a billhook all the time when we are coppicing or 'cleaning up' a rod, but what actually is a bill hook?

It's a traditional cutting tool known and used throughout the world, used widely in agriculture and forestry. It is used for cutting smaller woody material such as shrubs and branches.

Billhooks are currently in common use by thatchers, coppicers, hurdle makers, charcoal burners and often by other traditional craftsmen, farmers and woodsmen. It is also the primary tool for hedgelayers.

The billhook in Europe has a history going back over 3000 years, mentioned by the Roman author Cato approx 200BC and described in detail by Columella approx 50AD, and although the tool is not described, vine pruning is mentioned in Ancient Greece in Hesiod’s Works and Days approx 800BC. Its history in Britain predates the Roman Invasions, and remains of tools have been obtained from Iron Age villages:

So, that's the boring bit, now here are the pictures :)

and a more modern version, yet still an antique,

Thanks to http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/billhook.htm for some of the information and photo's used above. It's a very interesting site if you have a moment to check it out.

Coopers Mill

Cooper's Mill Cottage is located deep in the Wyre Forest on the Worcestershire/Shropshire border and is run by Birmingham City Council, Outdoor Learning Service. It is available for the use of organized parties for adventure training, camping and similar organized recreational activities on a week or weekend basis. The present building was a ‘Miller’s Cottage’. The mill was demolished as it was deemed unsafe in 1967. It was powered by Dowles Brook and ground corn. At the time when the nearby railway was built, it was believed that the cottage also served as an Inn for the workmen. Knowles Mill, half a mile down stream, has been restored by the National Trust, and is an example of what the original Cooper's Mill cottage would have looked like 150 years ago.
This year, thanks to Natural England and Heritage Lottery Cooper's Mill has been updated to include new toilets and showers, one disabled toilet and shower, new bunk beds, kitchen facilities and equipment plus a wood burning fire in the dining area. They also comissioned the Worcestershire Woodland Project to produce a Park Pail Fence around the renovated mill. An honour and an accolade for our humble project.

Dead Wood

In the UK up to a fifth of woodland plants and animals depend on dead or dying trees for all or part of their lifecycle and many of these species are rare or threatened. To help improve the condition of woodlands and benefit wildlife, the Forestry Commission has written a new guide for woodland owners and managers who want to know where and how to manage woodlands for deadwood.

Dr Sallie Bailey, who advises on biodiversity and the environment for the Forestry Commission, said:


“A whole host of wildlife depends on deadwood. Lichens, fungi, bryophytes; nearly 150 invertebrates such as cardinal beetle larvae; hole-nesting birds such as woodpeckers and mammals including bats all use deadwood in their lifecycle.
“Historically, deadwood was removed from woodlands for firewood. Up until the late 20th century it was taken away due to a misconception of the need to sanitise woodland for its health – or simply to keep places looking ‘tidy’. We believe this led to the widespread decline of woodland biodiversity.
“We now know much more about how important deadwood is and I think there is a growing appreciation by visitors of the beauty and necessity of fallen, dying and dead trees.

Deadwood is vital for a properly functioning forest ecosystem. It plays an important role in sustaining biodiversity and in delivering ecosystem services such as forming soil and nutrient cycling. In the UK up to a fifth of woodland species depend on dead or dying trees for all or part of their life cycle and many of these species are rare or threatened.