Our outdoor team spend much of the course season out in the woods where they rely on their clothing and equipment through all weather conditions. Every now again the team express a real passion for a particular product and recently Fundamental Instructor Keith Whitehead has been very impressed with his Littlbug Junior Camping Stove. Here is a review he has put together for us:
Littlbug Junior Stove and accessories
The following post was written by Woodlore’s Leather Worker, Becky Brewster:
Octopus Stinkhorn
I thought I would share an unusual find – these were in a field in Horam, East Sussex. The first one was about 2 meters from the edge of the field and had the appearance of a starfish just dropped on the grass. Closer inspection revealed it was growing from the ground and so we looked further and found these ‘beauties’ at the very edge. I have never seen these before so took some photos to help with identification. My outdoor team colleagues tell me they are the Octopus Stinkhorn fungi and quite rare.
It has never been so busy in the Woodlore Leather Workshop. Becky, our resident leather worker has been beavering away recently making numerous products, including sheaths for the new Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife and the new Ray Mears Leather Strops. Becky has also been engrossed in building up stocks of our very popular products in readiness for the upcoming Christmas rush. During this busy time Becky thought that it would be nice to give you a little insight into the ‘goings on’ in our leather workshop:
I love to see a batch of finished work but Keith has worked some camera magic here – the lighting has really brought out the lovely variety of colours and natural markings in the leather.
Leather knife sheaths and leather belts
Last weekend saw the Woodlore outdoor team gather together for their annual staff training. This year, the team took an in-depth view of some of the essential professional skills required to run successful courses safely in any environment. We were joined by Jamie Cooke, a world leader in resuscitation practice and Specialist Instructor on our First Aid courses, who gave the team their regular top-up of knowledge and training. Ray led the team in looking at the complications and hazards of leading overseas expeditions and how we can use our experiences to improve and inform our teaching on Woodlore’s exceptional range of UK training courses.
Team Training 2017
Between times, the team had the opportunity to come together and enjoy the warmth of the Woodlore camp fire, sharing food and stories of what has happened since the last season together. On the final day, Ray once again led the team and demonstrated a rich diversity of skills which will be embedded into our courses over the coming year. Woodlore is constantly moving forward in terms of equipment, knowledge and technique so these times spent together in the woods are essential. It means that our clients in the coming year will have a learning experience that is current, relevant and absolutely second to none.
Stephen Wade Cox
It is with deep regret that Woodlore must pass on this sad and tragic news:
“Yesterday morning I received the news that Stephen Wade Cox had passed away. I speak for all the team when I say that we were profoundly upset by such an unexpected tragedy. Over the past eight years we had come to recognise his astonishing and ever growing talent as a knife maker. A perfectionist and thorough professional, he was a joy to work with. Throughout this year I had worked very closely with him in the development of the Woodlore Knife Pro. This provided me the opportunity to know him better. There was much to admire in Stephen, he was calm, cheerful, thoughtful and a reliable man who loved his children. As a professional he was incredibly skilful but also humble, always at pains to honour the craftsmanship of the other knife makers who had inspired him. In his passing, Great Britain has lost one of the Worlds most talented knife makers.
Stephen will be a sorely missed member of the Woodlore Team. He last visited us just a few days ago when he had been looking forward to a holiday, full of joy and happiness. This is how I shall always remember him; smiling, happy and certain in the knowledge that his talents were fully appreciated.” – Ray Mears
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this heartrending time.
Since Woodlore’s inception many decades ago, our aim has always been to offer the most prestigious level of training in bushcraft and wilderness survival skills. As such, we pride ourselves on our dedicated team of instructors, whose passion for the subject shines through in their teaching.
And so it is with delight that we conclude the recent series of blog posts today focusing on Aspirant Instructor Tom Seward. If you’ve been thinking about booking a course with Woodlore, here is your chance to get to know the instructors who may be guiding you this year.
Aspirant Instructor Tom Seward
Since Woodlore’s inception many decades ago, our aim has always been to offer the most prestigious level of training in bushcraft and wilderness survival skills. As such, we pride ourselves on our dedicated team of instructors, whose passion for the subject shines through in their teaching.
And so it is with delight that we continue the new series of blog posts today focusing on individual members of our team. If you’ve been thinking about booking a course with Woodlore, here is your chance to get to know the instructors who may be guiding you this year.
Woodlore Aspirant Instructor Nick Thompson
Since Woodlore’s inception many decades ago, our aim has always been to offer the most prestigious level of training in bushcraft and wilderness survival skills. As such, we pride ourselves on our dedicated team of instructors, whose passion for the subject shines through in their teaching.
And so it is with great pleasure that we have our second in the new series of blog posts today focusing on Aspirant Instructor Sarah Day. If you’ve been thinking about booking a course with Woodlore, here is your chance to get to know the instructors who may be guiding you this year.
Aspirant Instructor Sarah Day
Since Woodlore’s inception many decades ago, our aim has always been to offer the most prestigious level of training in bushcraft and wilderness survival skills. As such, we pride ourselves on our dedicated team of instructors, whose passion for the subject shines through in their teaching.
And so it is with great pleasure that we introduce a new series of blog posts today focusing on individual members of our team. If you’ve been thinking about booking a course with Woodlore, here is your chance to get to know the instructors who may be guiding you this year.
Brian Fox
We are delighted to announce that Steve Corbyn has joined the ranks of Aspirant Instructor in our field team, after passing the rigorous test set by Woodlore this winter. We look forward to seeing Steve bring his excellent leadership skills to many courses in the future. Steve had the following words to say about his experience:
Woodlore Aspirant Instructor Steve Corbyn
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 