The July meeting of the Livery Wood Group took the form of an away day, with a morning visit to The James Wood and an afternoon tour of the Williams & Cleal Furniture School in Somerset.
The James Wood
Established through a bequest from James Stratton, The James Wood is managed by the Woodlands Heritage Trust. Our visit began with an insightful talk from the Trust’s forester, who outlined the vision for the woodland:
To maintain a perpetually productive forest
To ensure a staggered harvest of high-quality timber for future generations
To promote species diversity to mitigate risks from disease and climate change
To serve as a demonstration site celebrating wood culture
For more information, please visit: www.woodlandheritage.org/jameswood
Williams & Cleal Furniture School
In the afternoon, we visited the Williams & Cleal Furniture School, beautifully located in the Somerset countryside. The school offers intensive 40-week full-time courses in fine furniture design and craftsmanship. During our visit, we had the opportunity to meet students from the UK, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The exceptional quality of the furniture on display is a true testament to the skill and dedication fostered by the school.
For more information, please visit: www.williamsandcleal.co.uk
