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green team building

The Wholewoods Approach
Wholewoods is a not for profit enterprise committed to what we know to be right, and to having fun. We work through partnership and collaboration with like minded people.


To give you an idea of our day-to-day decisions, we use resources whose existence encourages a sustainable planet. We favour natural materials in our buildings. We favour working the old-fashioned way using hand tools if possible. This tends to mean we often use human power in large groups. It never ceases to amaze me what an awesome force this is and how much can be achieved. Relationships born of shared work build trust and thus communities are formed.

We try to deal with our own waste. We generate a surprising lack of it. Mostly it is a form of alchemy generating new resources through re-use or compost. We exclusively favour organic production of food and other consumables for ourselves and to share with others. We believe in community benefit over private gain. We like to keep our trade as local as possible and value the trust and goodwill of our partners, clients and suppliers. We do not believe in perpetual economic growth and the value of gdp as a gauge of happiness.

We aren’t squeaky clean, we drive and have computers like everyone else. However we strive to keep challenging the conventions of what is possible in the modern world.

So why woodlands? Is it the wildness, the dappled light or the desire for men in tights? We don't really know. The natural world reaches the parts that modern life forgets. Our heart, head and hands approach has been inspired by these intriguing habitats where wisdom and inspiration grow.

Through out history woodlands have been seen as dark foreboding places on the fringes of society where outlaws and demons roam. However the fuel and building materials they offer has been key to our survival and development. Clearly if we and the planet are to remain healthy forests must continue and we will continue to use them. Delicate forest eco-systems need a gentle approach to be sustainably managed. Our goal is to protecting them for future generations by building the respect they deserve.

Sharing stories by the fireside, carving timbers or munching wild food are the timeless skills of our ancestors. Given the chance we'd like to spend more time this way. These are the environmental arts, a reminder of our cultural heritage and an inspiration for the sustainable world of tomorrow.

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