Through an unusual series of events I’ve been given access to the old walled garden and environs at Somerleyton, a large and attractive estate in Suffolk. (Edited due a slip of the county…sorry Billy!) The plan is to utilise the space for greenwoodwork events, craft fairs, woodturning, and, with a friend, willow work ranging from planting and care, to final use. The possibilities are exciting.
The walled garden forms part of the Old Rectory, and the current resident, a Somerleyton family member, is very keen to see the space used for all manner of things.
Whilst a friend is repairing buildings, old stables, and getting the groundwork done to repair the retaining wall by planting what will become a living wall of willow and hazel, I was tasked with removing a number of self-seeded maple, sycamore, and alder that were blocking light from the area of the new wall…willow and hazel cannot grow in the dark. The vigerous sycamore was also causing a problem for a gorgeous Oak in the centre of the plot…so it had to come out.
I should have been doing something else today, but plans change, and so I went over to Somerleyton to remove what I could before the weather set in nasty. The lady of house lamented the growth of the awful sycamore, and said she was glad to see it removed. I told her it wasn’t awful, but could be lovely wood when turned. She didn’t seem convinced. So upon returning to unload a van full of straight-section sycamore I quickly mounted a section and turned a quick natural-edged vase. This will hopefully show her how attractive the wood can be.
I get a great deal of pleasure from turning wood so quickly after felling. I don’t know why. It just gives me a buzz. It’s nothing earth shattering, but a good use of what would otherwise have ended up you-know-where…
All it has to do now is dry out, and then it can be sanded to a finish and oiled…I hope she likes it!
