Earlier this month, Norbury Park Wood Products (NPWP) held another of its popular open day events where visitors are given the chance to enjoy exploring the sawmill and joinery workshops at its site in Mickleham, midway between Guildford and Dorking.
The skilled workers of NPWP, which is owned by Surrey County Council and managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, demonstrated how conservation management and support for traditional woodland industries now goes hand-in-hand with a special range of environmentally friendly woodland products and unique garden furniture.
Visitors were shown the traditional ways of converting felled timber into garden and country furniture, which included demonstrations with the large band saw that can cut trees up to 1.7m in diameter. They also learnt about charcoal making and timber seasoning techniques, plus how waste from the sawmill is used for heating and fuelling a kiln for seasoning wood.
Phil O’Donoghue, NPWP manager, said: “This event gets more popular every year, and it’s really encouraging to see so many people (young and old) supporting and interested in local wood milling and wood working skills.”
For more information visit: http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/news/165
