The Full Circle: Edition 17
Editor’s letter
Welcome to the 17th issue of the Full Circle for Winter 2023, back after a short hiatus. We are sorry to have missed the Spring edition, but after Kitty’s tragic accident last winter ASHS needed time to recover before setting to the task of bringing together the next Full Circle. After some gentle prompting, Jo and I agreed to take on this winter edition. It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s been nice to be able to go through the process as a team, with much kind guidance from ASHS veterans Jim Birley, Nick Marshall, and Steve McLean (as well as our fantastic designer, Steph Christie).
A theme that has helped guide us for this issue is 20+ years of ASHS; an exploration of ASHS’ history and beginnings, its ongoing development, and the various activities it runs now as it continues in its efforts to grow the local hardwoods industry. We have a selection of articles from ASHS members as well as contributions from Forestry & Land Scotland, and Scottish Forestry, giving a wide insight from across the sector.
The article that inspired the theme is a look back on what makes ASHS and its members special by our former Coordinator Nick Marshall, written from his perspective of two decades of experience. For those wanting something of a history/guide to ASHS beginnings and what it takes to replicate it we have the insight from Jim Birley, as one of the members who has watched and helped ASHS grow. Not everyone has been with ASHS for years on end and we have articles from newer members to prove it!
Johnny Stableford has a great perspective on his journey of working out what ASHS actually does. We also have one of our newest members telling us about themselves, a new sawmill based out of a community woodland on the Ross of Mull. Those members who have been around long enough may recognise our centre spread – a throwback to the centre spread of ASHS’ first Full Circle issue, then produced by Maggie Birley and revised now by Jo Birley.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Full Circle. Looking ahead we’ll now be on the lookout for contributions for the next edition – if you’re interested in contributing to the next Full Circle please get in touch! We would love to share what you have to say.
Johannes Schamp and Jo Birley, Editors
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In this issue:
ASHS News & Updates
A roundup of organisational developments across ASHS, including reflections from the AGM, new member announcements, and updates on ongoing initiatives shaping the year ahead.
Sawmilling Training Course Consultation
Exploring early-stage discussions around the development of a structured sawmilling training course, this piece reflects on member feedback, certification options, and the evolving role of ASHS in skills development.
Scottish Forestry & ASHS
From a sector-wide perspective, this article captures a conversation with Scottish Forestry on ASHS’s development, its origins, and its alignment with national forestry strategy and priorities.
ASHS – Where It Came From
Tracing the roots of the organisation, this reflective piece revisits the informal beginnings of ASHS and the collaborative momentum that shaped its formation in the late 1990s.
What I’ve Learned in 20 Years Working for ASHS
A long-view reflection from within the organisation, written by ex-Coordinator, Nick Marshall. This piece offers insight into two decades of sector change, the resilience of members, and the distinctive nature of small-scale timber businesses.
Where We Go Next
Framed as a forward-looking overview, this visual-led piece maps ASHS’s current direction and emerging priorities, highlighting where focus and development are expected in the coming years.
Are You Planning to Succeed? Well We Are!
Following the formation of the “Planning to Succeed” group, this article reflects on peer-to-peer learning, business visits, and the growing value of open exchange within the ASHS network.
Where Does a Tree Go When It Crosses to the Other Side? – Trees at the End of Their Lives, an Arborist and Sawmiller’s Perspective
From an arborist and sawmiller’s perspective, this piece by Andy O’Neill examines the fate of felled trees, questioning how value, legacy, and carbon are considered once a tree reaches the end of its life.
Investigating “Ancient Woodland” on Maps!
A critical look at woodland classification and mapping, this article explores how historical data and estate records challenge simplified interpretations of “ancient woodland” designations.
Tiroran Forest Sawmill – Fulfilling a Community Ambition
Introducing new ASHS member South West Mull and Iona Development, this piece shares the story of Tiroran Forest and the development of a community-led sawmill on the Isle of Mull, creating local value from timber that would otherwise leave the island.
Buying Logs from FLS
Offering practical insight into timber procurement, this article reflects on Forestry and Land Scotland’s sales process and the opportunities and challenges it presents for small-scale processors.
What Even Is ASHS
In a candid reflection, member Jonny Stableford explores ASHS through personal experience, offering an informal and often humorous perspective on involvement, connection, and what the organisation comes to represent over time.
