Our thanks to Pete Johnstone for sharing this fascinating insight into West Wight People and Place. Pete’s West Wight People and Place project goes back to 2016. He shares these words and photos with OnTheWight readers. Ed
As the three woodland workers, Jim Clinton, Tom Murphy and Tom Sargeant sit on a log before starting working in Brighstone Forest, Tom Murphy jokes we are sometimes called ‘The tree fellas’.
Although independent woodland workers, Tom says,
“We come together in partnership with the Forestry England who manage the Forest, to coppice the blocks of Sweet Chestnut.
“In the winter we coppice the trees and later in the year, when the ground conditions allow, we come in and convert the timber into saleable products, generally for agricultural and domestic fencing products.”
All three bring their own skills and knowledge to the team. Jim, who is adept at splitting 10-foot logs into cleft fencing rails, says that on a good day he can convert 50 to 60 rails from the felled timber.
“A renewable resource”
Tom adds,
“The beauty about coppicing is that it regrows time and time again and is a renewable resource, promotes structural diversity in the forest that benefits wildlife, such as the nightjar.
“The fencing we supply is Island-produced, providing low timber miles and supports the rural economy.”
Timber is removed from the woodland using a mini-timber trailer crane towed by a quad bike, which allows navigation among dense stumps without damaging regrowth—something larger forestry machines would cause.
The trailer, essential to the process, was funded by the Farming in Protected Landscapes grant via the Isle of Wight National Landscape team.
“It’s physical work, and none of us need a gym membership”
Tom says,
“Other than quad and trailer, and some chainsaws, all the work is done by hand.
“It’s physical work, and none of us need a gym membership.”
Only small areas of Sweet Chestnut coppiced
The vast majority of Brighstone forest, planted between the 1920s and 1940s, is Beech, Sweet Chestnut with some Ash, growing on chalk and clay.
The team coppice the only small areas of Sweet Chestnut coppice planted on the more acidic gravel soils, on top of the hills to the east of the forest. They are currently the only operation commercially producing chestnut fencing products on the Island.
The products are sold through Tom Murphy’s business and more information can be found on the website.
Brighstone Forest forms part of the Isle of Wight National Landscape (formally known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
West Wight People and Place project
The West Wight People and Place project aims to capture the essence of the area by showcasing the individuals who live and work there along with their connection to land and community. This includes people involved in farming, creative arts and community initiatives.
The project demonstrates how individuals contribute to the distinct identity of West Wight by means of photography, storytelling, and their engagement with the Isle of Wight Biosphere.
You can follow Pete Johnstone on Instagram and read more of his stories published on the Isle of Wight Biosphere website.
