THERE'S a chance to see how traditional methods combine with a modern business when fencing and forestry firm Say It With Wood holds an open day at its yard at Leighton Court, Much Cowarne, alongside the main Worcester-Hereford road on Friday, October 2.

The company makes traditional and bespoke fencing products using timber from local, sustainably managed, woodlands and the event gives the public an opportunity to discover how the wood is worked, with traditional hand tools used alongside modern processing machinery.

Co-owner Aly May said: “It’s great to have this opportunity to demonstrate the ways in which we produce our fencing products. Our wood is felled locally and coppicing provides a sustainable option that is great for woodlands and their wildlife.”

There will be demonstrations of traditional cleaving techniques, mobile saw milling, saw benching and the firewood processing involved in a commercial firewood operation. There will also be a race to see whether a Say It With Wood employee wielding an axe can chop logs as quickly as the firewood processor. At 2pm co-owner Toby Allen will be giving a talk on how the public can help support the management of woodlands by buying British timber products.

Mr Allen explained: "Around half the woodlands in the West Midlands are currently under-managed. This constitutes a waste of resources and can leave trees open to the spread of disease. Managing woodlands for product provides an income that can then be ploughed back into the woodlands themselves, as well as providing work for local people, and helping the local economy to grow. Wildlife thrives in the dynamic habitats created by effective woodland management.”

The open yard day is part of his year's h.Energy programme, Herefordshire’s annual, free, countrywide festival celebrating opportunities to live sustainably. Kate Gathercole from New Leaf, coordinator of h.Energy 2015 said: “The ultimate objective of h.Energy is to demonstrate that using renewable local resources, avoiding waste and reducing our energy bills is just common sense. We’re delighted to have Say It With Wood on the programme.”