Lime Bast Days

From standing tree to finished cordage and basketry.

9th and 10th May, 2026

Join Sally Pointer and Chiz Harward for a unique day in beautiful Gloucestershire woodlands helping with the lime bast harvest and learning and practicing all the stages from processing the bark to finished items. Places are strictly limited:

Close-up of a vine with green leaves growing on the bark of a tree.

Our day begins around the campfire with an introduction to the ancient Gloucestershire woodland where Chiz works and a discussion of how lime bast fitted into the economy of early European societies.

We will then go out into the coppice where we look in detail at lime trees of varying ages, Chiz will fell a lime tree (Tilia cordata or T. europea), and we will harvest the stems. Working as a team we will cart the stems back to the yard and peel the bark.

The bark is bundled ready for retting in both a pond and in barrels, a process that over the summer will transform the bark into valuable fibres. We will then explore the whole retting process and the final stages of separating, cleaning, grading and preparing the retted bast.

After lunch around the campfire we will use lime bast from last year’s harvest to create strong cordage and explore looped and twined basketry structures. We will also look at uses for lime and other tree barks such as birch, willow, oak and elm.

At the end of the day, you will take home your cordage and basketry, some lime bast, and are welcome to take some fresh bark for your own bast-retting experiments at home.

Everyone will receive a copy of our newly-published illustrated handbook packed with history, botany and information on all the processes covered during the day.

Your Tutors:

Chiz Harward is a coppice worker, charcoal burner and archaeologist. He manages woodlands for both biodiversity and sustainable, local products https://froewoodcoppice.wordpress.com/.

Sally Pointer is an archaeologist and heritage educator specialising in techniques that span thousands of years..

A woman in outdoor gear is working with a large piece of bark in a forest
Wooden sticks and strips hanging from a line in a forest, with a small wooden table or bench below, surrounded by green foliage.
A handmade woven basket with a drawstring, resting on animal fur, with a small campfire in the background in a cave-like setting.
Close-up of a woven straw basket on a wooden surface with a dog lying and resting on grass in the background.

Useful information:

Froe Wood comprises 15 acres of ancient woodland near the village of Blaisdon on the edge of the beautiful Forest of Dean near the Wye valley. It is easily accessible from the M5 via the A40.

We will be working in an actively managed woodland and will continue in all but the most inclement weather. Don't worry though, there will be a fire and shelter!

Wear strong shoes or boots, layered clothing and bring good gloves and waterproofs. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required for some of the activities, but we can make adaptations if required -please let us know in advance.

Access and parking will involve driving along forest tracks, but is fine for normal cars. The kettle will be on all day and light snacks such as biscuits and a bread-and-soup lunch will be provided, but bring extra food if you think you may need it.

There is no running water onsite, WC facilities are a composting loo.

Processed bast and other coppice products will also be available for purchase.

Woman carrying cut logs on her shoulder in a forest.

Booking Information:

Available Dates: Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2026 10-4 (same programme on each day)

10 places maximum per day. Cost per person £160 to include all materials and refreshments. A small number of concessionary tickets are available for each day, please contact us for details

Book here. Saturday 9 May 2026 or Sunday 10 May 2026. Full joining details will be provided a little closer to the date.

Refunds and contingency details: Full refund if cancelled within 14 days of course or if course tutors cancel due to extreme weather. Half refund if 13-7 days beforehand. Refunds are subject to a £5 cancellation fee towards bank charges unless instigated by tutors. No refunds if less than 7 days before course date.