After a really rocky month, I've started packing for the Moot. I really need a break after having the year from hell.
I may be a little late and I've no idea where I will be pitched this time but one thing I really enjoyed from the last time I was there, was the impromptu "Craft Jam" that we had going on in our camp.
Not a workshop as such but just a gathering of people around the camp fire, all working on projects of their own. A chance to just chat and share skills in a relaxed and informal way.
It would be nice to host something like that again this year so keep an eye on the notice board or just look out for the Raven banner flying over my pitch and we'll see what we can do.
That's cool Gary and along the lines of how I see this years Moot running, well spaced groups doing crafty stuff
with a few workshops thrown in.
Tony, I know I've ordered a ton bag of logs but will there still be the option to have a round or two a day of firewood from the main pile as before?
We'll do our best but we're not sure how things are going to work with firewood in the future. The estate don't really want us chainsawing etc. It's a bit of see how it goes this year as we're the only group that will be having fires as they're banned on site now except for the main fire pit. They've made an exemption for us because it's core to what we do.
What is the situation regarding greenwood this year?
We used to be able to take some of the young sycamore and the like but I guess if a lot of it has been cleared, as I seem to recall someone mentioned, they might be a little more precious about what's left.
There's a blanket no cutting anything, they're very aware of what there is on site now, there's been lots cleared and they're proactively managing it. I've had a few conversations with the estate as they try to work out who's cut wood out in the past, especially some of the bigger stuff that's left them unimpressed.
But will it even still go on?
Unless there's a government change of policy that makes it untenable, yes.
Being a first time attendee, just to know for planning, are there any food vendors on site or is it 100% cook your own?
There's no food vendors, as Wayne said Forest Knights will be doing demo's etc but there are no facilities to buy food on site, fresh or cooked. As has been said, there's shops fairly close to the site for supplies. It's definitely a self catering setup.
The Welsh gov are announcing any changes later today so we'll know more then. The rates of virus infection in wales is increasing like the rest of the UK and I doubt that the changes will reflect the degree of freedom that England has proposed.
Ultimately we want everyone to be safe, it's a come and relax event that we will shape as best we can considering the circumstances, but inevitably it's not going to be a normal BushMoot.
No matter what the government policy changes to we want people to be a safe as possible, social distance, masks, washing hands etc etc. My aim is to get us back in the woods together in a safe environment with the freedom and time to relax and enjoy our time. Next year hopefully we'll be able to jump back into the Moot proper with both feet.