Photo: Christopher Bourne-Arton President of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society 2005 with forestry prize winners Bob Mason & Gordon Forster and Frank Boddy.
The arts of wood-turning, carving, marquetry and stick-making will be on display at this year's Great Yorkshire Show where the woodcraft classes demonstrate how you can have "the forest in your life".
The Great Yorkshire Show is the region's largest annual rural and farming event. Held on the edge of the spa town of Harrogate, last year's show attracted a record-breaking crown of 134,810 visitors. Dates are Tuesday 11 - Thursday 13 July.
The wood skills classes are held with the Forestry Pavilion which is once again sponsored by John Boddy Timber, along with the competitive classes. These are open to everyone from complete beginners to more experienced wood-turners. Originality, technical skill and finish will all be assessed by the judges in categories such as woodcarving, woodturning and marquetry, the art of making pictures and designs from wood veneers.
As well as the prestige of winning a certificate and cash prize, those taking the top spots in each class will be presented with gift vouchers for John Boddy Timber which is based at Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
In the stick-making classes, special prizes include the Lammermuir Perpetual Cup, awarded for the best walking stick with a plain handle of horn or wood, made by a novice who has been dressing sticks for not more than three years.
In addition, the John Boddy Trophy is awarded annually to the best new farm woodland planting which is in a woodland grant scheme and under five years old at the time of inspection.
Mr Frank Boddy, said: "The classes are open to everyone from anywhere in the country, they are not restricted to professionals and anybody can have a go. "We would like to encourage more people to take part in these classes and find out how fascinating these skills can be."
The closing date for entries is Friday, 26 May and a full schedule of classes is available from the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, telephone 01423 541000.
