Jack Raven Bushcraft

Holly (Illex aquifolium) is a native deciduous tree that retains its leaves in the winter. It can be found all over the British Isles but tends to like being near oak and beech. Most of us are familiar with its spiny leaves and red berries. It’s a member of a large genus of around 480 species that have a wide distribution. Eating of the berries has been most frequently reported in children. I’ve seen a few claims that eating more than 20 berries is fatal in children but have been unable to find the source of this claim and in fact information on the toxicity of holly berries is scarce. It is thought that the berries contains a digitalis like chemical as well as triterpene compounds. Symptoms are abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhoea; there are no recorded cases of death in modern literature.

There’s at least 1 holly cultivar (Bacciflava) that produces yellow berries; these are also toxic.

Elkie has had her first weekend in the woods. She enjoyed it more than she's leting on in this photo!

More lovely baskets made on our latest 1 Day Basket weaving Course with Nicola.

Places available on 18th October.

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/basket-weaving-course/

Held in conjunction with Kaos Blacksmiths, this unique 1 day forge and fire course combines the ancient art of blacksmithing with leather working and essential bushcraft fire lighting skills.

It’s designed for anyone who’d like a fun day in the woods learning both blacksmithing and leather working.

You’ll be taken on a trip back in time and taught some of the skills of our ancestors. Ross Berry, our resident blacksmith, will show you how to use an iron age pit forge and guide you through the techniques to make your own traditional fire steel.

You’ll also make a leather sheath for your fire steel, char cloth to ignite and be given expert tuition in how to use your traditional fire steel.

All tools and materials are included in the cost of this course.

Use this link to book

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/forge-and-fire/

How to make haw-sin sauce using hawthorn berries A really simple recipe to make a delicious haw-sin sauce from the hawthorn. Makes a great accompaniment to stir fries and other Asian dishes

Some photos from a recent 1 Day Trapping Course. Next one is on 25th October.

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/1-day-trapping-course/

Learn about UK law around snaring, trapping and fishing,
Look at fish traps and how to use them,
Make an improvised fishing spear,
Be shown an Old English Cribett bird trap,
Learn where to set a trap and determine the target species,
Make a Figure 4 trigger mechanism and learn how to use it to set a deadfall trap,
Make a West Country snare trap,
Make an ‘L7’ trap.

Learn how to cleft greenwood and use an axe, draw knife and a shave horse to shape the wood.

Use a traditional woodland pole lathe where students have turned dibblers, rolling pins, spurtles, honey drizzlers, chair legs and even potato mashers!!

All of the materials you use are sustainably sourced from our own woodland in line with our management plan.

Turning tools, froes, draw knives, a selection of axes are all provided.1 place left on 25th October.

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/pole-lathing-course/

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is native to England and eastern Wales and is typically found in woodlands growing on chalk or limestone. It is often referred to simply as Belladonna. All parts are extremely toxic with the roots the most toxic part.

The berries are initaiily green and turn black as they ripen. The majority of poisonings are due to eating the berries and the majority of those with chidren as the berries can look attractive and have a sweetish taste. As few as 2 – 5 berries can be fatal in children, 10 – 20 berries can be fatal for an adult.

If you suspect that deadly nightshade has been eaten, seek medical help immediately and drink salt in warm water to act as an emetic in the meantime.

The plant contains a variable mixture of L-hyoscyamine, atropane and scopolamine alkaloids; due to this variable mixture symptoms are also varied and include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, flushing, severely dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and convulsions.

It’s also poisonous to many domesticated animals although rabbits and cows seem to be able to eat it without any ill effects.

Led by Nicola, this 1 day course will look at the ancient craft of willow basketry. You’ll be introduced to the materials and tools required and then be guided through the process to make your own round, willow basket.

Throughout the day you will:

• Learn how to create all the elements of a basket, so the base, the sides, and how to finish it all off with a border.
• We’ll cover a range of differing weaves, for specific areas of your basket, and for decorative purposes.
• We’ll discuss care of your basket, making different basket shapes, and alternative materials that can be used as well as willow.
• At the end of the day you’ll come away with the satisfaction of having created a basket that’s unique and has a wide range of practical uses.

Use this link to book

https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/basket-weaving-course/