Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal

Bolton Greenwood Group

Updated 13th February 2002

Bolton Craft Centre Bodging (turning wood on a pole-lathe), rake making, hurdle making, charcoal burning and blacksmithing and more. The Bolton Craft Centre is Run by the Bolton Greenwood Group

What is the Bolton Greenwood Group ? We are a group of people in, and around, Bolton who are interested in traditional country crafts. We have established an open air craft centre in Bolton. We practice traditional crafts such as bodging (turning wood on a pole-lathe), rake making, hurdle making, charcoal burning and blacksmithing. We provide tuition in various traditional crafts. All this in a friendly and co-operative atmosphere.

Why is the Bolton Greenwood Group ? Our aim is to use local raw materials to produce craft work for sale locally. We wish to manage local woodlands in a sustainable way, so that they will produce an infinite supply of wood and provide better habitats for wildlife. To provide facilities for anyone in the Bolton area who wishes to undertake traditional country craft work, either as a hobby or to make a living. We believe that the old ways of working are relevant to today as they are more environmentally friendly than modem methods of mass production. To provide a point of interest for those who wish to know more about traditional country crafts.

Where is the Bolton Greenwood Group ? We are established at the Bolton Craft Centre in Moses Gate Country Park. The Craft Centre is in the works compound near Rock Hall. Take the lane to the right of the Hall. The Craft Centre is on the right, 100 yards along the lane. We can be contacted through the individuals and organisations listed below. Bolton Conservation Volunteers - Tel. 01942 817302 Bolton Wildlife Project - Tel. 01204 361847 Manchester Wildlife - Tel 0161 437 7040 Croal Irwell Valley Countryside Service - Tel 01204 571561 During the 20th Century Traditional Country Crafts started to decline but recently some enthusiasts decided to keep these ancients arts alive. Do you want to be part of a growing movement and take part in one of the many crafts which are available at the Bolton Craft Centre? If so then apply for FREE membership to Ian Brown Tel 0161 437 7040 Information on opening times, Blacksmithing and Woodland Crafts, Course Booking also contact Ian Brown.

Sustainable Development An important aspect of sustainable development is using the Earth's resources in such a way that they will last for ever. One way we can do this is to manage our woodlands by coppice rotation. This means that a small area, of a wood, is felled in such a way that the trees will regrow (coppicing). In the following year another area in the wood is treated in the same way and so on until, the first area is returned to, the trees are big enough to be coppiced again. This process can be carried on indefinitely. As part of it's work the Bolton Greenwood Group will be coppicing local woodlands and using the resulting wood to make many fine craft products. Making chairs from local trees for sale to local people.

It's Good for Your Health Traditional country crafts are carried out using hand (or foot) operated tools and devices, like the pole-lathe and shaving horse. This is good for your physical health and because of the actions used, in making fine craft products, it is also good for your mental health. Gentle physical exercise in pleasant surroundings out of doors. It's a very therapeutic way of working with the added bonus of the satisfaction of making something completely by hand. It's got to be good for you.

The Bolton Craft Centre is the first of its kind in The Red Rose Forest and Greater Manchester. The Bolton Greenwood Group is a partnership between the Bolton Wildlife Project, the Bolton Conservation Volunteers, the Croal/Irwell Valley Countryside Service, Bolton Council and Manchester Wildlife and is funded by the Woodland Trust, the Community Forest, WWF, Bolton Metropolitan Borough council, Health for Bolton, Entrust, Hayes & Finch and C.C. Williams Ltd. Let's all work together to make it a success.