Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Now Less -your memory is obviously better than mine, the Rottweiller thing was not mine someone else said that. Sorry if it has iritated you further -was not my intention at all -you know me by now a little I hope.

The Emperor's New Clothes was a favourite book of mine as a child - any comments I've made have only been aimed at encouragement and as a non-artistic person probably have little validity -but you really don't have to go for KO every time...

I never patronise -not intentionally.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I have reduced the size of the pictures do if some of your posts have been edited thats why.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

If you're going to be an artist, and publicly exhibit your work, then that work will always be critiqued.

Some will like it, some won't, others will be indifferent.

As long as you believe in what you're doing, and can justify it, then what others may say won't be 'hard' to take.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I think Mobertol was trying to defuse the situation slightly using a bit of humour.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I can't either.

Even if a coppice needs to have trees, to be one.

I prefered it bare.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

It's hard to be misunderstood Steve!

Less just doesn't want to "play ball" this evening for some reason...:dancedog:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

As Albert Einstein said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

Lots of people say things on here they would not say to your face, after all its only a forum, you don't have to respond to people comments about you, you can just ignore them and carry on.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Said like a super moderator Neil...:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Blimey, just read the whole thread now.

:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:

I don't think Wincey Whittler would have made it through the first interview at Liverpool art school.

Work there came under much harsher critical gaze, than anything Less can throw at it.

Enjoy the remaining time, inside the cosseted walls of academia.

Soon be time to let the professional critics pass judgement on your work.

If you're good enough, to be a professional artist.

You might need help with the customer relations side of things.

Every viewer's a potential patron.

Every wail - a sale.

;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Slong as yeh don't include me in yer "Lots".

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Me too.

I can't think of much I've posted, I wouldn't say to someone face to face.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

In all honesty though i like em,reckon Less has a point, sonnart aint come on here to join in or else she would have posted elsewhere, so if its to promote oneself or not, it sure looks like it.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Why? I can't really see how this is going to work old cock. I don't dislike the idea of using the coppice for a backdrop for art; but these images don't do it for me. If you want to do something like this I'd like to see something that reflects the history of the area or at leased something that reflects what we where, are or aspire to be.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

if you come on here and ask for opinion, you will get it, you may not like it but you have got what you asked for. As I suggested when you thought about instaling sculptures and then setting fire to them that you had moved into the barm pot section.

But remember this, you have to get permission from the landowner before instalation, which is hyndburn council and lancashire county council. They will require more details than you have given here, and it will have to go to some committee. So look on this forum as training for the battle that is yet to come.
are you ready yet grasshopper to leave the monastry:s_fire:

Not only that, but I'd also say it to both of a certain moderators faces.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Ya put me on that list too;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

To be honest Doug is the coppice a serious backdrop for art, if it is thank god I won't be able to see it;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Less at his very very best:D:D:D

That is exactly right, the Coppice is a worthy piece of Accrington and until someone can come up with something absolutely mind bogglingly good that it would attract not only worldwide interest, but would also have local folk like you screaming to be carried to see such great works, then it shouldn't be cheapened with such makeshift run of the mill ideas as have been put forward over the last few years.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I Agree...:)

Just as an aside for those of you that think I know nothing about art, may I suggest that you do a search of accyweb, there you will find copies of some of my 'Uncle Less', series of lectures, proving you to be absolutely correct.
Because it's seasonal it might be worth starting with:-

Uncle less's Christmas card.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Well I've read your post Doug, but I have a problem with the idea, firstly how would the people who are more likely to be interested in such a project, the elderly (and disabled elderly at that) access the area, the top of the coppice ain't really the easiest place to get to when your getting on in life, such a project would be much more viable in one of the parks not stuck on the top of a hill, just my thoughts on the matter

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I have considered placing some sculptures in the park at the bottom... The only problem with that is it is moving further away from my original ideas of memories of the Coppice.

Although I suppose Peel Park and the Coppice are all in one are they?

And if it makes it more accessible then I guess that would be better and could also be a good branch leading off the original ideas?

I also looked into making the sculptures in the form of Accrington pals training on the Coppice as I heard there are some photos of that flying about somewhere maybe in the library.

I do like the idea of using images/making sculptures of those who value and use the Coppice rather than famous named people as they're are already known and there are always sculptures/memorials for them. Why not have something to say thanks the people who use the area?

What you think??

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

If they're anything like the ones you've pictured on here don't bother they're like a bunch of Meerkats out on the raz:eek:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Even life sized ones? or ones like Sally Matthews in Grizedale park?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Don't see a lot wrong wi that, remember though as well as being more accesible to people, its also handier fer the vandals.;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

t anywhere closeI think I see where you are coming from. You want these pieces to be an embodiment of the folks who use the area, real people turned into wood and their memories preserved. Is that any where close to your idea?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Yes exactly :)

I want to make sculptures that you (Accrington people) all like, I enjoy making/producing them and I like the idea behind them and I hoped you would too.

I also think that if I can make something that the majority can agree on, then maybe it could be a small feature (temporary, I don't like the idea of making permanent works for some reason).

:)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

AAh I suppose it is handier for vandals :S hm, how could I get past that?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The original idea was to make sculpture out of wood from the Coppice, in the form of shilouettes taken from photographs that local people would send to me.

Then these 'memory sculptures' can rot and go back into the Coppice, taking the memories with it as a physical process.

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The Accrington never trained on the Coppice, they did march over it on a couple of occasions, to meet up with the Burnley section.
They did do some training on Moleside, quite a lot on Ellison's Tenement & Hyndburn Park.
There are no photographs flying around somewhere in the Library, all William Turners Collection is sealed, and not available to every Tom, Dick & Harry.
The key to Bills collection is in my pocket, so forget it.
Retlaw.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Do you not think it might be wise to seek permission from the relative authorities, before exhibiting your work anywhere?

Next year there might be a student who sculpts using scrapped cars, or concrete etc.

Should they just be allowed to site their work on the Coppice?

Some people might appreciate nature's beauty, rather than man's.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Ah damn it, no sculptures of the Pals then :P

I have got permission from Accrington Council and I am in the process of arrangments to use wood form the Coppice.

They are planning to cutting down some trees in December. (Not for me, they were cutting some down anyway, which I think is great because then the view will be back!, not that I have ever seen them personally, I have seen photos of my dads)

I have based my whole idea on Accringtons views/memories/ideas. That's why I joined here, I would like to know what you would like if anything. If nothing then that's ok too.

Although I would NEVER put anything anywhere if the there was a stong argument against it from the locals because I live there and even if it is my work that I am proud of, I wouldn't mind finding somewhere else to put it if it would keep the peace.

Sound like backing down I know but I would try my hardest to get my work put where it was originally destined for before agreeing not too.

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

A very valid point Rindi, we could ask our councillors what they think about this the only trouble is they don't answer to threads on council affairs anymore, must have been instructed to keep clear:rolleyes:;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

If yeh had learnt to read better,sonnart has asked the council.:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Yes, permission from 'Accrington Council'.

Odd, that.

Since there hasn't been an Accrington Council since 1974.

:confused:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

By the way, I do like your sculptures.

:)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Perhaps its still called that in her house,it still is in ours.;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Know what you mean.

In our house Ossy Town Hall will always be just that.

It's never the Civic Theatre, or Civic Arts Centre.

:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Yep, I only recognize Accrington council and Ossy town hall :)

I've heard Hynburn thrown about a bit, but not much. Is that a good thing that I don't hear it??

Cheers garinda :)

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Being a nosey git, I read a blog you were writing last year.

I thought it was good, and I feel I understand more what you're doing now.

You should start blogging again, about what you're doing at the moment.

:)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Really? which blog is that? I remember setting up a blog but I thought I stopped using it before I started this project :S

Excellent if I did't stop using it as soon as i thought I did :)

I think I will take it up again as blogging/internet networking seems to be working well :)

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Theres a blog section on here,if yer interested.:)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

When you'd been to Berlin, and saw a viewing box.

Plus there was a photograph of you dressed as a pirate.

:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Wow. I completely forgot about that! I will probably start using that again now :) Hopefully going to make weekly posts about my work on it.

I'll still be on here though, I'd still like to shape my work around what you all think best. This week I'm going to be ringing new contacts to ask about health and safety and help with installation etc so I will let you all know whats what with that.

Was thinking of referring to my work as Accrington people sculptures now instead of Coppice sculptures. What you think? Cos I'm starting to think of other places like the bottom of the park aswell as the top of the Coppice for easy access.

Can't get into the studios over Christmas now :( so I'll be working on contacts/permissions etc till mid Jan.

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Glad you are still carying on with your work -don't listen to negative comments -you really must believe in what you are doing if you want to succeed...

All the best.........Dianne x

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Talking of art, saw the winner of the Turner Prize a couple of days ago, don't think I get this art thing at all:confused:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The Turner prize is more about Kudos/Status etc in my view, not much to do wi art.in other words i think its a bag of crap.:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Ya when I see some of the entries I think I should have been an artiste and not a p*** artist either;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Here is a photo of the winning entry by Martin Boyce, seems to have been a popular winner. Turner Prize winner Martin Boyce's sculptures: in pictures - Telegraph

Also a link to a description of the meaning of the work by the artist.
Turner Prize 2011: a popular winner? Never - Telegraph

This kind of art has to be experienced first hand to be appreciated. About 10 years ago we went to see the Salvador Dali Gallery in Figueres, Spain, the whole family enjoyed the day out -very thought provoking and made you look at things in a different way. Some of the pieces were pretty wild.
Have attached his Portrait of Marilyn Monroe for you to see, It's the size of a room and you have to go up to a special viewing gallery to see it. The lips are a full-size red sofa....:p

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

That kind of art put me right of when some silly bint called her dirty bed a work of art, with that concept, my bedroom, first thing in a morning must be a priceless masterpiece:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

A lot of this so-called modern art really is "garbage" (excuse the pun). The Emperors New Clothes comes to mind. Wonder what Turner would think of it...

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Would probable haunt the people giving a prize out each year in his name:rolleyes:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Just what is the Turner Prize for? The early years of the Prize, from its beginnings in 1984 to its sudden (temporary) disappearance in 1990, saw intense debate about exactly how a prize for contemporary visual art should be organised.
One of the first issues was the naming of the Prize. Many people were at a loss to know what it had to do with the early nineteenth-century artist JMW Turner, and there were conflicting views about whether or not he would have approved. The founders of the Prize, the Tate Gallery's Patrons of New Art, had in fact chosen Turner because he'd wanted to establish a prize for young artists and because, despite being controversial in his own day, he was now seen as one of the greatest British artist.

He would probably approve i think Steve because time doesn't stand still -even though i actually enjoy more "traditional" art, I do try to "see" what the modern stuff is about even though it sometimes goes over my head....

As a footnote my guide at the Dali Galllery was my (then 9yr old) son who'd been on a course, through school, at the Modern Art Gallery in Turin and explained it all to me and was enthusiastic about everything he saw....:)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

You could well be right, Dianne. I don't know a lot about art but I know what I like and this modern stuff just isn't for me....give me an old master any day!!!

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Something like this perhaps....;):D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I was thinking more Rembrandt, but it's not bad...

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Great minds think alike Steve, there's no contest between a dirty bed or the Mona Lisa really is there:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Twould be very interesting seeing a garage door hung in the Tate Modern wouldn't it:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Too right!
Tell you who else is overrated...Mondrian! My daughter was bringing pictures like that home from school when she was six!

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Give me a Constable any day oer this fancy crap.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

And there was me thinking you hated the coppers:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

This thread is supposed to be about the Coppice not coppers. http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/i...ons/icon10.gif

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

:D

I will never like Emins 'Unmade Bed', or Hirsts bloody ' The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living' (shark in a tank, with a silly title)

I understand them but I seriously do not see the point. The turner prize entries interests me, but I rarely like the works themselves. I don't mind trying to understand them, but they do confuse me and make me think why am I even trying to be an artist when this kind of stuff is being made.......

When I was at college me and my friends used to joke about putting a dirty poo filled nappy on a plinth and see what the judges think of it because they'd probably have loved how 'challenging' something like that is.........

Give me a Monet, Rembrant or even Jenny Saville anyday :) I LOVE traditional paintings. I haven't done much since I started uni :( been a bit brain-washed really. But I can always go back to it :)

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

There could be some people who just don't think stick anything on the coppice is a good idea in the name of art too;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

I don't think, for a minute, Sonnart will get any sort of PP to do this, however, keep us in touch... will look out for your application.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Hi all

Just an update :)

Been very busy over Christmas, might have a change of plan of my work, it's leaning towards video, but I would still like to make some sculptures, maybe teeny ones that can but placed about without notice, although there is still a lot for me to think about.

I was thinking literally about 4" in size, made from materials from the Coppice again. Dot them about, see if they go missing/rot etc.

Comments still welcome :)

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Sonnart,

Firstly,
I must admit that your spat with Less did make me laugh and, may I say, I think you got off very lightly indeed. I can easily appreciate the enthusiasm of youth, I used to be young myself. I can also appreciate the sense of frustration that comes when an idea is not appreciated or even dismissed without the courtesy of consideration. It seems harsh and unfair, and it is. That is what life is about. Anyone who promised you that it might be anything different was lying to you.

Your reaction to Less's critique of your work was uncalled for, strident, ungracious and petulant. The practise of Art as a profession will require far greater sacrifice from you than has hitherto been required and during the course of your life you will have to accept much sterner criticism. You are young and I think that Less realises this, and it is for this reason that you got off so lightly (a PM with a note of apology might not go amiss.).

That having been said, Now to the 'art'. Let me begin by declaring that what I know of your work is what I have seen posted in this thread. On that basis, it seems to me that you have still a long, long way to go. And it also seems, from what you have written, that you are anything but certain of the path you may choose to take once your degree studies are completed. For this reason, if for no other, I would advise that you confine your current cutout project to to your sketchbook. Leave it to mature for a few years and maybe you can revisit it when you have a little more of life under your belt; after all, if an idea contains anything that is worthwhile or valuable a little maturity can only improve it.

I wonder why it is that so many people want to use the Coppice as the location for their "art"?

As has been commented upon, the people of Accrington have seen several attempts to place sculpture on the coppice and I must say that I cannot see the point of dotting it with tired and hackneyed bits and pieces, however well intentioned or eco-friendly.

The thing that I think most people from outside Accrington fail to grasp is that the Coppice holds a special place within the hearts and minds of the people of Accrington. It is witness not only to their lives but to their history as a community. I recall that during the time I spent away from Accrington as a student one of the first sights to greet me and give me the understanding that I was 'home' was the sight of the Coppice looming high above the town. I am sure that feeling is familiar to many of the people of Accrington of this and preceding generations. To change it, to mark it, to scar it is, for many, tantamount to sacrilege.

Accrington cannot boast of much in the way of public art; our Victorian forebears had much more pressing matters to concern themselves with and our current council would not recognise art if it jumped up and bought them an icecream. So, for many, the Coppice assumes, among its many other roles, the role of Artwork. It is as much the work of nature as it is of human hand. It changes its appearance as the season progress. It is a monument to our foolishness and our brilliance and it is also a memorial of our dead. It is our lookout and also our guardian. It speaks to us of the long days of summers past, of childhood play and evenings of courtship, of hard graft and bitter winters. It speaks also of the obdurate stubborness of the people of Accrington. Their fortitude in the face of unbearable loss and their hopes for the future. They don't really need Sculpture or earthworks to explain that to them, if indeed it were ever possible.
Don't be disheartened that people don't want to see it used for anything other than what it is. It is not really you or your ideas they are rejecting so much as protecting what is to us, the people of Accrington, a place, a sight, an experience of incalculable value and significance.;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Acrylic-bob, thanks for the post. I really understand and agree with what you say :)

I know that I should let this idea mature a bit, and give it some space to breath. Unfortunately my tutors think otherwise and want something out of my work now. I am literally being forced to continue with this idea, even though it is an idea not to be rushed.

Art is being so rushed now :( I prefer it taking time.

So I have decided to make the planning and organisation of the project the work itself (kind of like Christo and Jeanne-Claude's work) rather than the end product (the sculpture) because there is no way that it will be allowed to be made and finished in the next few months, or get the funds, or workforce, or anything really. It's far too soon.

Also, even though I've always wanted the sculpture to be temporary, I was wondering what you all thought of Antony Gormleys Angel of the North? (because this is permanent). And it got a lot of stick and aggro when the idea about it came out, so was just wondering what your thoughts on this are?

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Look at these for good ideas - they are beautiful
Banksy-like artist leaves intricate carvings in market town's trees | Mail Online

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The Coppice is an unspoilt hill. Leave it alone. The Shelter was taken down because it was vandalised. What will happen to sculptures etc. There is no one up there to police it. I know I am up every day with my dog.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Chainsaw sculpture at its best - we have something similar in the old cemetery behind our house, depicting a Morecambe fisherman and a shrimp picker.

But they are very noisy to create - amazed no one heard anything in Knaresborough!

The view from my bedroom window:

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

That statue seen in a graveyard on a dark night will scare the folks who aren't aware it is there.

In part I agree with you, the Coppice is, or at least should be an unspoilt hill.
Unfortunately it has been spoilt in the past, fir trees growing where no fir trees grew before?

It's strange how, like an old Victorian rake, some folk cannot resist the temptation to remove it's virginity and replace it with their own diseased deposits?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Good - they are usually drunks and people up to no good.

No monument to the Chinese cockle pickers?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Wouldn't it be under water?

Actually yes there is one - a little garden on the prom opposite a Chinese restaurant.

And how does this garden grow?

With cockle shells and...


What? Too soon? Never mind, the memory will fade with the shifting of the sands!

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Not sure I agree that the addition of trees spoils the coppice. It was done initially to stabilize the coppice as the top soil was sliding off the shale base on the face. It both stabilized the coppice and prevented further erosion
The majority of trees planted were larch,and silver birch.

It was said that before man deforested the country a squirrel could climb a tree at lands end and not have to climb to the ground until he reached john o'groats, should we not support replanting of trees where possible. So it depends how far back in time you are prepared to go as to what is called the "norm"

Incidentally the term coppice applies to a managed group of trees grown to support industry, don't know if it applies here but food for thought.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

More likely to have originated from -

kopje - definition of kopje by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
kopje koppie
noun (S. African) hill, down (archaic), fell, mount, height, mound, prominence, elevation, eminence, hilltop, tor, knoll, hillock, brae (Scot.) the rocky kopjes, small hills rising like islands

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Not convinced, but will keep an open mind.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

They are amazing :) I wish I could do that!

I wonder how they managed to make it without people hearing the sound of the whatever they used to cut it?? :S ?? I like that the maker/makers are anonymous aswell.

I've always understood the Coppice had trees planted to stop a landslide. My dad has a few pictures somewhere of what it looked like before trees were planted there.
He says he prefers it without trees and could run up to the top and back to his house again with my grandma looking out the back window on Burnley road and she could see him go all the way up because there were no trees at all then. This is going back 40< years.

I wish the Coppice was entirely unspoilt, but whenever I go up and walk around the back to the reservoirs they always have rubbish/litter everywhere around the edge. It would be good if someone, even community police officers could walk about it every now and again to guard it.

There is the Venus and Cupid sculpture in Morecambe that is said to be in memory of those lost at sea, including the cockle pickers:

Bay Views: Venus and Cupid, Morecambe Promenade

I personally think it would have been better suited to where it was originally supposed to be placed (St Georges Quay Lancaster), as I think that having it as a tribute, when it was not originally designed to be a tribute is stretching it a bit........ throwing in a reason after it was made, rather than being made for that reason.

Useful definition of Kopje, thanks :)

Sonnart

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Yer dads right sonnart, The coppice without trees was our cross country practice run, straight up from the Avenue Parade n Straight up No path involved,was knackering, but it made me a good un.:D;)

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The statue is not really for the cocklers as far as I know, that's the first I've heard of it. There is a memorial garden to them on the prom in the centre of town.

However the statue nearly disappeared recently:
BBC News - Venus and Cupid fund may lead to Morecambe arts trust

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Margaret I'm with you on this... Chambers has kop, S. Afr, a hill generally round topped, from Dutch for head, and coppice or copse from the Old French for newly cut wood.

Since the name is not on any maps does anyone know how long people have been calling it the Coppice?

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

According to this, there are photographs from 1848, showing the Coppice being coppiced with trees.

Roy's information site on Huncoat, History, Walking and Weather etc.

Though apparently it was more or less bereft of trees by 1909.

Can't see there being a Dutch connection, if as it seems, it was referrred to locally as the Coppice, prior to the Boer War.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

The old French word copeiz, is apparently derived from the Latin word colpacticum, meaning 'having been cut'.

As much of this area had already been deforested for farming before the Roman Invasion, Susie's suggestion that the hill might have been managed and coppiced to help prevent further soil erosion, makes sense to me.

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Forestry) a thicket or dense growth of small trees or bushes, esp one regularly trimmed back to stumps so that a continual supply of small poles and firewood is obtained

Look to the English meaning of the word too!

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Watching cashy run up the copice, ya I'd pay good money to have seen that:D

Re: Making sculptures to go on the Coppice
 

Gary It wasn't me who suggested that, it was Dave... see above quote.

Dianne the derivation and meaning of the English word is what I was referring to in my post quoted above.

I can probably tell you more about the management of a coppice than you really need to know. When we lived in Wiltshire we were in a farm cottage on the edge of a field, all of which was surrounded by one of the last remaining areas of hazel coppice still managed in the traditional way for forestry products. These included spars for thatching (holding down the thatch on a roof) and longer poles and spars for making wattle fencing. Managed on a 7 year rotation if I remember rightly.

Our village pub had a name unique in this country, the Hook and Glove, being named after the traditional implements used by coppicers - the hook being used to cut down the wood, and the leather glove for protection.

If you want to know more... interesting website, especially the section on threats to coppices.

Welcome to the Coppice Products Web Site