To support the free woodland management offered to local landowners, as well as the Log Bank and other community projects, Axewoods must ensure its members are safe and trained to industry standards. Maintaining a steady supply of timber and logs depends on having enough qualified volunteers. Newer members are therefore offered training and assessment for the relevant qualifications (only qualified members are permitted to use chainsaws and other equipment on site). Axewoods also provides all members with first aid training, including the forestry supplement.

As demand for community workshops continues to grow, the organisation also needs to purchase additional tools and budget for the extra costs involved.

Total Project Cost: £3883.99

East Devon National Landscape Grant Awarded: 900 (23% of total project)

Cash Funding: £1983.99 (Axewoods Fund)

In Kind Match Funding: £500

Members have been trained in ‘Chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting’ and ‘Felling trees up to 380mm’. Established members have received a chainsaw / felling refresher course to up-date skills, regulations and techniques.

In addition to the ‘normal’ first aid courses Axewoods instigated a specific course on trauma wounds and ordered new site first aid kits to up-date old ones and for new additional sites.

Funding has also enabled a number of successful workdays and community events.

Chainsaw course held

First Aid Trauma Course held

First Aid kit updated

10 workdays of practical woodland management

Axewoods recognised that it would have been beneficial to book training dates further in advance – and chase suppliers for invoices to help support funding claims.