June news from Green Aspirations
Welcome to the next edition of our newsletter. June has been a month of ups and downs - from our biggest charcoal week ever and a fantastic holiday in Derry to a break-in on site, where we lost around £5k of equipment. Read on to find out more.
News from site
While we were away on holiday, someone came to site and helped themselves to essential tools. This is a real blow, as we were really just starting to get Green Aspirations back on an even footing after a tricky few years. As a social enterprise, we operate on a pretty tight budget and we don't get much external funding, so the vast majority of our income comes from what we can generate ourselves. What was stolen helps us do that - either by processing wood for charcoal, preparing for workshops, or helping us make games and other products to sell.
The thieves helped themselves to three chainsaws and a chainsaw mill (STIHL 231 and 661 with Alaskan sawmill attached, plus a smaller chainsaw), a generator, a welding machine, a circular saw, a full set of chisels, some planes and - randomly - our pallet breaker. There may be other bits and bobs as well, but that's what we've found missing so far. It seems they pretty much ransacked our container looking for easy-to-sell items.
Thankfully, Craig - who works with us - was on site to tidy up before we got home from the holiday, and to secure what wasn't taken. And it could have been a lot worse. We're now trying to look for some external funding that will help us replace what was taken, and we've also set up a Crowdfunder to help raise some money. As I write, you generous lot have already donated over £3,000, and we've been gifted a small generator and circular saw! We've also managed to borrow a couple of chainsaws, so we are operational again. We've been totally blown away by everyone's support, so a massive thanks to everyone who's looking out for us! And if you'd like to donate, check out our Crowdfunder below.
What’s on
Shows and events
Following our success at the Drymen Show, we had a quieter day at the Helensburgh Highland Games (our position behind a massive inflatable slide didn't help!) but we're ready and raring to go for our next shows: Luss Highland Games on 5 July, and Newbattle Summer Fare on 12 July. We've also been booked for the Plock Heritage Festival up in the Kyle of Lochalsh on 30 August, which we're really looking forward to. Our stalls mean we can chat about our work, demonstrate some of the crafts – blacksmithing and some woody stuff – and sell our products.
Find out more
Craft Hoolie 2025
We're trying for a final push for tickets for the Craft Hoolie in August, as sales have been much slower than we need. It really is a fantastic opportunity to get together with the the best crafters and trainers from around the UK and beyond, learning from them in a really intimate, woodland setting. The first weekend focuses on wood-based crafts and the second weekend has a range of traditional crafts, from blacksmithing to basket weaving. We're also hosting a great set of guest workshops throughout the week in between.
Find out more
Charcoal
June has been our busiest month yet for Scottish Charcoal, as we were delighted to supply Meatopia in Glasgow with 100 of our large bags, in a week that saw us send out 195 bags in total. We're now working through wholesale orders but do have some charcoal back available online, with our large bags coming soon to our website.
Find out more
Workshops
While the break-in meant we had to postpone our Pole Lathe workshop, we did manage to go ahead with our first Introduction to Blacksmithing workshop of the year - a great day, if a lttle warm! Next up, we have more blacksmithing, spoon carving and rustic stools in early August, followed by basket weaving, Pole Lathe, and stools and blacksmithing in September. Our workshops are aimed at young people and adults (12+; blacksmithing 16+).
Find out more
Wee Skelfs: Summer Dates!
Bookings are coming in thick and fast for Wee Skelfs summer edition, with some days full and others with only a handful of places left. Skelfs focuses on risky play, an approach that encourages kids to use their imaginations, assess risk, and solve problems, which helps in all areas of childhood development. The club is running Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays between 15 and 31 July. Places are £40 per day, with 10% off when you book 3 or more places.
Find out more
Paul’s big hewing adventure!
Paul recently traveled over the border to the home of the horn dance, Abbots Bromley near Stoke. There wasn't time to dance, however, as he was busy hewing with big axes. The project was organised by the Carpenters Fellowship to help researchers from the University of Liverpool who are working with Chester Cathedral. Here's what Paul said about the weekend:
"It was great to get some big axes out and convert decent logs into beams. The team came from across the country and was a mix of full time framers and beginners. Over the course of three days the team converted a field of logs into beams that will provide the support to rebuild the stone vaults in the cathedral. There was lots of support and advice available and it was great to hear what projects the professionals are working on.
The organisers really looked after us with local food and drink. Everyone helped out, the random pizza toppings being a particularly communal novelty! Would definitely recommend playing in a field with a bunch of folk, big timber and axes!"
Get in touch!
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about what we do or how you can get involved. Just email us on hello@greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk.
