"the woodcraft folk", heard of them?

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2sheds

Member
May 19, 2011
32
0
down Gower
there is a group starting near me, called "the woodcraft folk". i was wondering whether i should stick my head above the battlements and risk a barage of "get involved/let us use your woods" type arrows!

any report good or bad would be great.

thanks

Paul

(ps, sorry if it is not very bush crafty, not sure what they do)
 

Tengu

Full Member
Jan 10, 2006
12,806
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Wiltshire
Its a socialist group for the middle classes.

They will spend more time in telling the kids how they are messing up the planet rather than solutions...Let alone in the woods.
 

wicca

Native
Oct 19, 2008
1,065
34
South Coast
I saw a leaflet concerning one of the Brighton groups (I think there are three) and one of the groups aims is to make children aware of The environment, World debt, Global conflict and similar subjects. I confess i didn't read the complete leaflet, so that's the extent of my knowledge.
 

2sheds

Member
May 19, 2011
32
0
down Gower
I suspected as much, was half hoping it would be a group of half wolf half bear children preparing for the appocalypse that I could get my daughter involved with but it sounds much more sinister.

Reckons we ll carry on doing it our own way.

Anyone with anything good to say?
 

stovie

Need to contact Admin...
Oct 12, 2005
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Balcombes Copse
..... but it sounds much more sinister....

Not so much sinister, as misguided idealism...

As my old Pa used to say..."if you haven't voted labour by the time you're thirty, you haven't got a heart; and if you haven't voted tory by the time you're forty, you haven't got a brain..."

Hey...what do I know...
 

Chris the Cat

Full Member
Jan 29, 2008
2,850
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Exmoor
No promising to do my duty to god or the queen, so a good start there as far as I am concerned.
I heard good reports about the group near Exeter a few years back.
Chris.
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,137
2,876
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Pembrokeshire
No promising to do my duty to god or the queen, so a good start there as far as I am concerned.
I heard good reports about the group near Exeter a few years back.
Chris.
I never did understand folks objections to the Scout Promiss ...If you think that you have NO duty towards God or the Queen then it is an easy duty to fulfil! :)
You are only saying that - on your honour - that you will do nothing in this sphere :)
 

tobes01

Full Member
May 4, 2009
1,902
45
Hampshire
it all sound a bit BASIL FOTHERINGTON-THOMAS to me eg "hullo clouds hullo sky" ect. chiz chiz. clerely they are wets and weeds i diskard them.
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Its a socialist group for the middle classes.
They will spend more time in telling the kids how they are messing up the planet rather than solutions...Let alone in the woods.

They were founded for young people by idealistic socialists as an alternative to the growing militarisation of Scouting. Their aim was to develop a new social order and sustain world peace

Steer Clear.
 

TallMikeM

Need to contact Admin...
Dec 30, 2005
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Hatherleigh, Devon
I was at college with a young lad who'd been in them (and was still somehow associated as an adult). He was one of the most well balanced, intelligent, rational person I've ever met. No reds under the bed stuff about him at all.
 

Tengu

Full Member
Jan 10, 2006
12,806
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I was lent the history of the Woodcraft folk by a member; a dull book with a dull cover. Mostly politics and usual schisms...As an introduction to a curious uninitiated it told me nothing, and I doubt would inspire anyone to join.

I had a lok on the website. I am not in favour of inflicting the worlds woes on the young. (Even though I rather dislike children)

Id much rather teach them to help others and do good in the world...Like the scouts do.
 

mrcharly

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 25, 2011
3,257
44
North Yorkshire, UK
They were founded for young people by idealistic socialists as an alternative to the growing militarisation of Scouting. Their aim was to develop a new social order and sustain world peace
Steer Clear.

Gosh, having world peace as an ideal is such a terrible thing.

I'd say get involved - teach them some real woodcrafty skills. What do you have to lose?
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Gosh, having world peace as an ideal is such a terrible thing.

I'd say get involved - teach them some real woodcrafty skills. What do you have to lose?

No Offence, but that's a bit niave.
[A lengthier response is warranted, but would have to touch upon subjects which would be removed, or censored on this forum.]
 

Seoras

Mod
Mod
Oct 7, 2004
1,926
117
57
Bramley, Hampshire
I once ran a bushcraft course for one of their groups and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I did find all the kids were keen to learn.

Whatever their views were they did not push them with me.

Give it a go and if you do not like it then walk away.

Cheers

George
 
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mrcharly

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 25, 2011
3,257
44
North Yorkshire, UK
No, not naive at all, Dave.

Now I'm going to reveal that I used to be a member of Red Rope. Does that mean I'm banned from the site?

There was a woodcraft folk group near me - they didn't have anyone there who knew any woodcraft.
Volunteering to teach some skills would be useful, seriously, what are you afraid of?
 

Dave

Hill Dweller
Sep 17, 2003
6,019
9
Brigantia
Woodcraft Folk is a member of an international umbrella movement of socialist youth movements from across the world.

Thankyou. But I dont want a political philosophy rammed down my children's throats, [or more probably subtley introduced over time] when I am attempting to introduce them to rural practices or bushcraft.

[If I were to list the reasons why I would not want that particular type of political philosophy, would be removed, per forum rules on the discussion of politics....]

[But I would go so far as to mention Orwell's criticism, in his allegory, Animal Farm, where the Pigs who led the 'revolution' on the farm, felt that they should receive the lions share of the food......]

No Offence intended to anyone. This'll be my last post on this thread...;)
 
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Seoras

Mod
Mod
Oct 7, 2004
1,926
117
57
Bramley, Hampshire
The original post was about an adult helping out with a group and not about whether you would send your kids to them.

Please remember that or this thread will need to be moderated.

George
 

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