Country life
Uniquely Wooden
By Andy Fortune of the Mulberry Tree Wood Turnery
The most unpromising piece of timber from a tree at the end of its life , or condemned by infection , disease or damage , can surprisingly yield some of the most unusual pieces of wood turning . A turned piece can also be enhanced if it has come from timber that has some historical significance or comes from a well-known place . In the storm of 1987 , for instance , many trees from the great parks were toppled and ended up being made into countless beautiful items . HMS Victory was dry docked in 1922 , after 157 years of service , and in 1955 much of her ancient oak was replaced , the old timber then being squirrelled away to resurface in the late 1990s , when it was made into unique mementoes . It is amazing to think that some of Victory ’ s oak would have started growing in the 16 th Century . From our very own local landmark , the Cowes Umbrella Tree , which was sadly felled in 2013 due to disease , I have been able to make some unique pieces even though it was extremely rotten inside . Pieces from a landmark like this are even more poignant when we have fond memories of playing in its
branches or sitting below its canopy with our family and friends on a warm sunny day . Cowes umbrella tree mementoes are now available from the Mulberry Tree Wood Turnery at Arreton Barns .
10 things you didn ’ t know about hedgehogs
Picture : Hedgehog in autumn leaves by Tom Marshall
• An adult hedgehog has up to 7,000 spines , and a small hidden tail .
• On average , hedgehogs live for 2-5 years in the wild , but some have lived up to ten .
• Baby hedgehogs are known as hoglets .
• Adults have a big appetite , and can get through 100 or more invertebrates a night .
• They can travel up to two miles in search of food per night .
• Hedgehogs are disappearing from our countryside faster than tigers are worldwide .
• You can help our prickly friends by working with your neighbours to cut holes in your fences to create ‘ hedgehog highways ’ to allow them to roam .
• Hedgehogs hibernate during the winter , but if disturbed can wake early and waste valuable energy stores .
• There are estimated to be fewer than one million hedgehogs left in the UK .
• Leave your garden a little untidy in the winter – hedgehogs love using fallen leaves as nesting material .
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