what's on

Six weekly sessions, held on Thursdays, 10.30am - 1.30pm, Sullington Warren and Trinity Methodist Church

Taster session:  Thursday 22 October 2026 (come along and meet the team)

Session dates: 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 26 Nov, 3 Dec and 10 Dec.

The Lost Woods team invites you to join our free woodland wellbeing group for adults, to help you to learn to enjoy and connect with nature for improved wellbeing. This course is ideal for those who live in or near to Storrington.

Join the Lost Woods team's friendly group to:

• Deepen your connection with yourself, others and nature
• Enjoy learning about local woodlands and wildlife
• Engage in woodland crafts and conservation

Sessions are free but places are limited. For more information and to register your interest, contact lostwoodsteam@ruralsussex.org.uk or complete our form.

Thursday 5 November 2026, 10am - 12pm, Lag Wood, Hassocks

Join us to learn how to make artist's charcoal in an ancient woodland, and find out more about the special woodlands of the Low Weald and Downs.

The course will demonstrate a small-scale technique that produces a wonderful and sustainable art material.

You will learn how to:

• select a suitable site
• prepare material for the burn
• light and monitor the burn.
• close the burn down
• unload and package the charcoal

Fee: £20

Please note this course is not suitable for children.

Lag Wood is a ten minute walk from Hassocks train station for those using public transport.

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Thursday 5 November 2026, 12pm - 2pm, Lag Wood, Hassocks

Join us to learn how to make artist's charcoal in an ancient woodland, and find out more about the special woodlands of the Low Weald and Downs.

The course will demonstrate a small-scale technique that produces a wonderful and sustainable art material.

You will learn how to:

• select a suitable site
• prepare material for the burn
• light and monitor the burn.
• close the burn down
• unload and package the charcoal

Fee: £20

Please note this course is not suitable for children.

Lag Wood is a ten minute walk from Hassocks train station for those using public transport.

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Two-day course on 11 and 12 November, 9.30am - 4pm (approx), Sussex Wildlife Trust HQ, Woods Mill.

Suitable for: Beginners, improvers‍

What to wear: Sturdy shoes, clothes that you can get messy.

What to bring: Paper and pen for taking notes.

The course:

Build the background knowledge needed to manage your woodland sustainably, and work towards creating resilient, productive woods. Tailored to your individual needs, you are encouraged to share details of woodlands you are familiar with to aid your learning.

You will learn about:

• types of woodlands in the UK
• protecting woodlands
• woodland management
• producing timber and wood
• legal responsibilities
• maximising positive impacts for biodiversity
• the future of woodland stewardship

Your tutor: Chris Keeler

Fee: £85

Chris is our dedicated training officer, who co-ordinates and teaches woodland management and heritage skills, as well as being the lead trainer for the Lost Woods project in Sussex.

He was born into an estate forestry family, and has worked in the coppice, woodland, and arboriculture industry for over 20 years. Chris learned his trade from some of the last ‘proper’ woodsmen who cut trees with axe, hook, and hand saw and still uses these tools to this day. He is passionate about passing on this knowledge to others, as well as communicating his love of all things nature.

"I have a lifetime of experience working in the coppice woodlands of Sussex and Kent, and I love to show how these traditional activities support the health of woodlands and enhance biodiversity."