Storm-Felled Trees Fuel Yorkshire Spoon Carvers' Creativity

In the aftermath of Storm Amy, which struck Yorkshire earlier this month, local spoon carvers have been busy collecting timber from fallen trees to fuel their craft. Clive Nutton, a member of the Yorkshire Spoon Club, spotted an alder tree that had been blown over in Shipley and quickly claimed the wood, distributing it among his fellow club members.

The Yorkshire Spoon Club, which meets once a month in Ellekers Wood near Easingwold, has been a hub for woodworkers who are always on the lookout for new sources of timber. Dan Watson, the woodland manager and a club member, explains that many of the club's participants don't have easy access to raw materials, so they rely on being vigilant for the sound of chainsaws as tree surgeons remove unwanted trees.

The club gathers in the coppiced woodland, where they work on their spoon-carving projects around a fire, drinking coffee and enjoying each other's company. Nutton, an enrichment coordinator at a school in Bradford, says the process of creating spoons from trees they know is a reflective and rewarding experience, with the added benefit of connecting with like-minded individuals.

According to Watson, the club's activities also provide mental health benefits for many participants, who might not have regular social interactions in their daily lives. The combination of working with natural materials, learning new skills, and building a community has proven to be a valuable outlet for the club's members.