SKILLS sharpened by a lifetime working in the New Forest around his home at Frogham near Fordingbridge were demonstrated by retired Forestry Commission craftsman Peter Brown at the annual Hampshire Wood Fair at Sparsholt Acrigultural College, Near Winchester.
Peter, 75, who retired 10 years ago after more than 40 years with the Forestry Commission, still keeps his hand in at the traditional craft of cleaving oak logs to make fences and other rustic wooden items.
"It is a job that can only be done by hand," explained Peter who uses a special tool called a "froe" with an L-shaped blade to cleave the oak to the required thickness.
"My father worked in the woods and my brother and I have followed on. I don't know what the fascination is but I love working with wood and working with my hands," he added.
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