As well as providing consultancy and practical management services, Sylvan offers a range of educational and training courses run by the company directors, Frankie and Graham Woodgate.

Frankie holds a BSc Honours degree in Countryside Management and has many years experience in farming and forestry. She owns and works two draught horses, is a registered professional contractor with the British Horse Loggers and serves as one of its committee members.

Graham has an OND in Forestry, a BSc in Rural Environment Studies and a PhD in Political Ecology. He lectures in Environmental Sociology, Sustainable Forest Management and Agroecology. Graham lectures in the UK at the University of London's Institute for the Study of the Americas, on-line for Imperial College's Distance Learning Programme and overseas at the University of Cordoba and International University of Andalucia in Spain, as well as the Institute for Mediterranean Agronomy at Bari in Italy.

Courses offered include:

An introduction to the ecology and management of ancient semi-natural woodlands

Coppicing and coppice crafts for beginners

An introduction to green woodworking

An introduction to working horses

An introduction to horse logging

Courses are run either for individuals or groups of up to four people. They can be organised either at Sylvan's farm and woodlands or on your own land. Courses vary in length from one to five days and cost around £150/day for a single person and £50 extra for each additional person up to a maximum of four people.

For further information please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Wealden Tours

We also arrange and host short-breaks in the Kent and Sussex Weald. Wealden Tours can be organised to a range of sites of ecological and cultural interest and are accompanied by local guides.

Wealden Tours are led by either Frankie or Graham and may include days spent learning about woodland ecology and management, working heavy horses or simply enjoying the peace and tranquility of Sylvan's farm and woodlands. In addition, we can make trips out to local sites of interest such as the ancient port of Rye, Romney Marsh, the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway and Bodium Castle. If you'd like to know more about Wealden Tours please follow the link below or send us an e-mail.