Field Notes

Some Images of Embers & Oak

No. Pictures

DATE: 05 Nov 26

A collage of photographs of Embers & Oak: the woodland fire circle, parachute shelter, cookhouse and camping shelters.

What we offer !

Notice – What we Offer:
Embers & Oak
FIELD NOTE: What we offer ! DATE: 10 Oct 26 A place to gather, make and slow down. There are many ways to spend time in the woods. At Embers & Oak, we’re making room for shared adventures, practical skills, good conversations and quieter moments. Here’s a little of what we offer: A woodland place for your gathering Site and venue hire for workshops, celebrations, group days and gatherings. Bring your idea, and let’s see how it might fit among the trees. Woodland skills & making Bushcrafty, crafty experiences with natural materials and useful skills. A chance to work with your hands, try something new and enjoy the satisfaction of making something yourself. Woodlore — learning the lore of the woods Get to know the trees and the stories they hold. Explore traditional uses, woodland folklore and the everyday skills our ancestors knew—knowledge passed from hand to hand, still waiting to be learnt, practised and shared. Camping Stay a little longer. Settle into the woods, watch the light change and wake up to the sounds of the woodland around you. Talks under the parachute A place to gather for stories, ideas and good conversation. Come to listen, share what you know or explore something together, and the kettle is always on !

Notice – What we Offer:
Embers & Oak
Something we call Shinrin Hōga Kōshin… Bringing coppicing and forest bathing together: time spent tending the woodland, followed by time to slow down and notice it. Working with our hands, pausing beneath the trees, and getting to know the place a little better. Care for the woods… and yourself. More from the woods… Check back here for upcoming activities, fresh Field Notes and stories of what’s happening in the woods. Whether you’d like to bring people together, learn a woodland skill, camp beneath the trees or simply spend some time here, we’d love to hear from you. Embers & Oak Come and find your place in the woods.

Talk under the Parachute – Preparation !

No: Preparation

Embers & Oak
FIELD NOTE: Talk under the Parachute – Preparation ! DATE: Saturday 17 Oct 26 Being prepared in line with the Government’s resilience strategy – practical advice on ‘What if’ there are severe weather events, hostile state actions, and/or cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure – CHECK https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/ and stock up BEFORE IT HAPPENS ! The scenario we discussed: An event, either natural or man-made affecting critical infrastructures causing: Power Outages, Network Outages, Water Service Outages – essentially; Regions or the Country ‘Going Dark’ The 5 P’s: ‘Preparation and Planning Prevents Poor Performance’ Some things to consider: If caught ‘out and about’ • Family Rendezvous (RV) System that can be implemented without Comms in case Comms are down • Home the main RV. But.. what if the family group is dispersed e.g. work, school, Uni etc – Walk? Stay put? • Agreed alternative RV that everyone knows – Talk through the plan at least. • Traffic disruption, with gridlock possible – signals may fail and many.. many people will be trying to get home. • Carry some water and food… maybe money too just in case ! (Shops will most likely be closed or card machines not working)

No: Preparation

Embers & Oak
At Home Base • Sanitation: Toilets may not flush if water is off – alternatives: Bucket and plastic bags for defecation, Double bag, seal securely. Bucket with lid for urination – Bag/Sawdust/Cat Litter etc to absorb liquid. (Don’t add Bleach or Cleaning Chemicals to the bucket) Don’t let it get too full. Double bag and seal securely and dispose of as per local emergency waste disposal instructions. • Wash hands with soap and water if possible – Anti-Bac Gel or Wipes etc – Keep Hands as Clean as Possible • Personal Hygiene – Either source and store water for personal hygiene or use Wet-wipes etc – DON’T sacrifice drinking water. Have a plan ! (See 5 P’s) • Comms out – Battery/wind-up powered Radio –Try FM and DAB; Don’t depend on internet radio. • Neighbourhood Support Plan: Elderly or Vulnerable in your area – Look out for them ! Have the chat before the event ! - Form a support network. Staying Safe: • Securing the home was discussed: It is likely that candles and open flame cooking on portable stoves will be used - stoves should not be used indoors - carbon monoxide can kill – FIRE SAFETY MUST BE PARAMOUNT • FIRST AID… Try 999/112 in an emergency – your mobile may connect through another available network • Talk it through, Write it down… maybe even walk it through… let everyone ask ‘What if ?’ These events may never occur… BUT… as they say in the Military… ‘Hope for the Best, Prepare for the worst’ at best… it’ll be a funny story in the future – ‘Remember when we did all that stuff to be prepared… and nothing happened’ As a Combat Veteran once said “Hope is the last thought of the ill-prepared”

Foraged Hedgerow Jam

Autumn is a great time for foraging… it is after all Harvesting time !

A delightful stroll along a hedgerow on a sunny Autumnal evening can be livened up with a bit of foraging… and of course the end result is delicious !

You will need: Crab Apples (these will supply the pectin to make it set), Hedgerow fruits (I have used Blackberries, Rose Hips (remove pips and hairs) Hawthorn, Guelder Rose, Sloes, Rowan) and sugar (Roughly 1part Crab Apples, 1 part Hedgerow Fruits and 2 parts sugar - All measures are in handfuls or container-‘fulls’ whatever container you use ! (I have made this in a mess tin over an open fire !)

If you are making jelly; Cook the fruit first, then strain before adding your sugar.

Wash the fruits, don’t dry them. Chop Crab apples into chunks (you can peel and core them if you want), Remove stones and unwanted pips from the fruits and add to a pan (you’ll need some water so it doesn’t catch) and simmer to release juices, once the fruit is properly softened, add the sugar, bring to the boil, until it passes the ‘cold saucer wrinkle test’. A dab on a cold saucer… let it cool, give it a nudge - if it wrinkles, you’re there ! Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a clean, sterilised jar – Ta Dah… Enjoy !

Safety: If you can’t ID it, and don’t know it… DON’T pick it or eat it ! – Invest in a foraging course or book !

No: Oct 26

FIELD NOTE: What’s on in October !

October… Warm days and cold nights, Bird Migration, Fungal forays, Leaves

changing colour and falling: “October with green leaves means a severe winter” is a

saying !

Samhain (Oct 31 to Nov 01) The ancient Celtic Harvest Festival, marking the end of

Summer and start of Winter. They also believed the boundary between the living

and the spirit world thinned during this time, leading to traditions like lighting

bonfires and wearing disguises. “All Hallow’s Eve” (Halloween) on 31 Oct and “All

Saints Day” on 01 Nov all fall into this Pagan/Christian Mix too !!

What’s on in the Woods !

Coppicing starts this month… ‘around’ the 01 October, during the Waning Moon

(Moon Wood) - Trees are affected by the Moon too, and during the Waning Moon,

moisture will be in the roots. (go on.. ‘Google’ it !)

Sat 17 Oct – ‘Preparation: A talk under the Parachute’ – 18 to 2000 Hrs

Being prepared in line with the Government’s resilience strategy – practical advice

on ‘What if’ there are severe weather events, hostile state actions, and/or cyber-

attacks on critical infrastructure – come sit under the parachute, by the fire and

join in the conversation on what to do if… Tea and Coffee will be provided.

Cost: £10 Per Person

Sat 31 Oct - ‘Held by the Seasons’ - 09 to 1700 Hrs

Delivered by: The Clearing Counselling in collaboration with Holistic Hands of Purbeck

For enquiries: hello@embersandoak.uk or 07763 594600 (more details will be

provided once your booking is confirmed or on enquiry)

Embers & Oak

What we Offer !

DATE: 25 Sep 26

A place to gather, make and slow down.

There are many ways to spend time in the woods. At Embers & Oak, we’re making room for shared adventures, practical skills, good conversations and quieter moments.

Here’s a little of what we offer:

A woodland place for your gathering
Site and venue hire for workshops, celebrations, group days and gatherings. Bring your idea, and let’s see how it might fit among the trees.

Woodland skills & making
Bushcrafty, crafty experiences with natural materials and useful skills. A chance to work with your hands, try something new and enjoy the satisfaction of making something yourself.

Woodlore — learning the lore of the woods
Get to know the trees and the stories they hold. Explore traditional uses, woodland folklore and the everyday skills our ancestors knew—knowledge passed from hand to hand, still waiting to be learnt, practised and shared.

Camping
Stay a little longer. Settle into the woods, watch the light change and wake up to the sounds of the woodland around you.

Talks under the parachute
A place to gather for stories, ideas and good conversation. Come to listen, share what you know or explore something together.

Something we call Shinrin Hōga Kōshin…
Bringing coppicing and forest bathing together: time spent tending the woodland, followed by time to slow down and notice it. Working with our hands, pausing beneath the trees, and getting to know the place a little better.

Care for the woods… and yourself.

More from the woods…
Check back here for upcoming activities, fresh Field Notes and stories of what’s happening in the woods.

Whether you’d like to bring people together, learn a woodland skill, camp beneath the trees or simply spend some time here, we’d love to hear from you.

Embers & Oak
Come and find your place in the woods.