Berryhill is an oak wood situated at the Stafford end of the Showground and is owned by the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society. The wood is managed during the two days of the County Show, accordingly, if you visit the wood during the Show you will be able to see how management is helping to restore this beautiful wood. Trees are felled each day, extracted by horse to a mobile sawmill where they are planked and beamed. Some of the timber is cleft, some turned and used by other woodland craft demonstrators. All of it is used. There is a whole fascinating world of traditional crafts demonstrated, from trees to finished product. Berryhill Wood also has a woodland trail and a picnic area. It is situated just past the Country Pursuit Area and is well worth a visit. Attractions for this year include:
Horse Logging with Stephen Whitby
Timber extraction by horse is gaining ground and popularity. Low impact and sensitive, it is a highly effective way to extract timber. See a professional logger and horse team in action over the two days.
Pole Lathe with Gudrun Leitz.
The ultimate 'green machine' powered by your own leg and an ash sapling.Come and have a go (all ages from 9 years up) and make something useful.
Charcoal Making and Chain Saw Carving with Patrick Brown.
Barbecue charcoal is made each day and is for sale. Choose from a wide range of chain saw carvings from mushrooms to bears or why not consider commissioning your own design?
Oak Swill Basket Making with Owen Jones.
One of only two professional oak swill basket makers in the Country. Oak swills are traditional, beautiful and very strong. A variety of styles on offer.
Clog Making with Jeremy Atkinson.
Starting from the round log and made to measure, traditional wooden soled and leather clogs made by Britain's last remaining clog carver.
Besom Broom Making for Children with Marie
Whitmore
An activity for younger children. Make a
small 'Harry Potter' broom and fly away!
Lucas Mobile Saw Mill with Paul Morton
A professional mobile saw mill that planks
and beams the trees felled during the show
into useful timber which is then used to make
bird and bat boxes as well as picnic benches
in the wood.
Felling, Cleaving and Post & Rail Fence Demonstrations with Brian Williamson & Ben White.
Oak is cleft for fencing, gates and hurdles.
Highly skilled and hard work produces the strongest and most durable timber.
Children's Activities Including Leaf Collages and Rubbings with Jonna Callaghan.
Artistic, fascinating and informative.
Fan Birds and Other Greenwood Crafts with Sean Hellman
Woodland Benches and Tables with Martin Hales