ICF President Addresses National Coppice Federation Launch
The Launch of the National Coppice Federation (NCFed) took place today, 16 October 2013 at St John’s, Smith Square, London.
ICF President Professor Julian Evans OBE FICFor celebrated 5000 years of coppicing in his address to invitees at the event, which was attended by David Heath MP. Other speakers included Rebecca Oaks Chair of NCFed who welcomed attendees and spoke about the way forward for the Federation, Ed Suttie of the Grown in Britain Campaign, Pooran Desai of Bio-Regional who spoke about the sustainable supply chain, Dr Martin Warren of Butterfly Conservation who highlighted the importance of coppicing for wildlife
The National Coppice Federation has grown out of the wish for regional coppice groups to unite under one banner. The aims are to:
- bring together coppice groups and provided a unified voice for the industry
- to encourage and promote the highest standard of practice, and the quality of products within the coppice industry
- promote coppicing as a form of woodland management that provides economic, ecological and culturally significant benefits.
Speaking, after the event, Professor Evans said: ‘”For many years county and regional coppice groups have wanted to come together to raise the profile of their sector of rural industry. After decades of neglect, coppicing is experiencing a revival and proving a win:win:win for wildlife, woodland owners and the well-being of the countryside. Dark uninviting woods are seeing new glades and more light and coppice crafts and products are again sought for thatching spars, hurdles, bean and pea sticks and countless more.”
The launch forms part of the ‘Grown in Britain’ Campaign, and on display at the event were many of the very best examples of coppice products from around the country.
Visit the National Coppice Federation Website
