Open Day Success for Norbury Park Wood Products

On the 10th & 11th September, visitors enjoyed exploring the Sawmill and  workshops at Norbury Park Estate near Dorking, as part of the National Heritage Open Days.

The skilled workers of Norbury Park Wood Products (NPWP), which is owned by Surrey County Council and managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, demonstrated how conservation management and support for traditional woodland industries now goes hand-in-hand with a special range of environmentally friendly woodland products and unique garden furniture.

Visitors were shown the traditional ways of converting felled timber into garden and country furniture, which included demonstrations with the large band saw that can cut trees up to 1.7m in diameter, green wood working and bowl turning. They also learnt about charcoal making and timber seasoning techniques, plus how waste from the Sawmill is used for heating and fuelling a kiln for seasoning wood.

Phil O’Donoghue NPWP Manager said: “this event gets more popular every year, and it’s really encouraging to see so many people (young and old) supporting and interested in local wood milling and wood working skills.”

NPWP’s sources its Oak from woodlands certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council Standards (FSC) within the South East of England. These woodlands are sustainably managed to benefit wildlife. When softwoods are used they are often supplied from the Wildlife Trust sites as a by-product of conservation work and heathland management which involves thinning out encroaching  pine trees.  This in turn creates glades for butterflies, birds and flowers and allows heather and gorse to regenerate.

So, by purchasing furniture from Norbury Park Wood Products, people are supporting Surrey Wildlife Trust’s efforts to continually enhance and manage the countryside as well as supporting associated woodland industries which help to preserve wildlife and traditions for future generations.

For more information about Norbury Park Wood Products and to view their collection of wood furniture visit: www.norburyparksawmill.org.uk.