Leeds Coppice Workers is a workers cooperative that was formed in 2012. There are 8 current members who all work part time. LCW members help out with day to day running of the coop and all take an active role in all manner of LCW jobs including coppicing and woodland management.
Ned has been with the co-op since 2017 and as well as craving his days in the woods looks after day to day money issues. In addition to working with the co-op he has his own charcoal business and loves cricket and getting out on a tandem bike.
Tom has been a member of Leeds Coppice Workers since 2014. Tom acts as a point of contact for landowners and assists with various administrative tasks alongside fun in the woods. In 2020 he completed a part-time MSc in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry at Myserscough college. He is a professional member of the Arboricultural Association and an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. He is also a director of the National Coppice Federation, Leeds Tree Care and Yorkshire Community Woodland Society. He enjoys making things from wood and playing music whenever time allows!
Rowan studied plant biology at the University of Leeds and went on to do a year’s traineeship with Yorkshire wildlife trust. It was through the traineeship that she got her chainsaw license and first learnt about coppicing and woodland management. Rowan is also interested in wildflower identification and coppice crafts, especially carving wooden flowers!
Josh is LCW secretary and part of LCW finance team. He takes a share on day-to-day admin, and can also advise about mushroom logs. Josh has a background in co-op development and sits on the committee of the National Coppice Federation ‘mapping management committee’ as finance and governance officer. He is a keen woodworker, specialising in roundwood timber framing and outdoor structures.
Jacopo has been working with the coop since 2019. From coppice worker to being a general woodworker. He has a background studying agriculture in Italy and some time in academia & charity work before settling into woodland work. He has a menagerie of animals at home and works part-time with Leeds GATE alongside LCW.
Joe has been with LCW since the beginning of 2018. He has a passion for anything outdoors and has worked in various outdoor sectors including Horticulture, Forest School Practitioner and Environmental Conservation. Within the coop, Joe is the LCW equipment officer, communications officer and helps schedule workload.
Aled has been working for LCW since 2016. He is the LCW volunteer coordinator, manages website and social media. Aled is also a freelance community music practitioner and dry stone waller.
Dave has been with LCW since its inception in 2012. He has helped support the development of the organization since then, particularly in the early years when there were very few resources. He has training in Permaculture Design, and Woodland management & Arboriculture, bringing extensive on-site experience with Trees for Life in Scotland and Coed Marros in Wales. He has been a director of other organizations for many years, notably Northern Green Gathering, guiding and supporting them through thick and thin.