The Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust

Our Purpose is to ensure that the coppicing skills of Bill Hogarth MBE are recognised for their full worth and their continuity secured through a broad-based apprenticeship.

Celebrating 25 Years of BHMAT!

For a quarter of a century, BHMAT has been dedicated to preserving traditional woodland skills and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Since the charity began, many of our apprentice graduates have continued to actively coppice local woodlands – creating vital habitats for wildlife while earning a living from the land.

We are filled with gratitude for everyone who made this journey possible. A huge thank you to foundational figures like Ian Taylor, Rebecca Oaks, Kath Morgan, Geoff Whitley, Twiggy, Maurice Pyle, Edward Acland, Walter Lloyd, and the countless others (too many to name!) who have contributed so much over the years.

To all of our past and present apprentices, sponsors, mentors, trustees, and every single person who has attended Woodland Pioneers over the years: thank you. Your dedication keeps this heritage alive. 

You can view more photos from over the years in this Google Photos Album.

We are always looking for people to join our community! If you’d like to get more involved with BHMAT, please send us a message or get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to the next 25 years! 🪵✨

Woodland Pioneers 2026

We’re currently full, but if you’d like to be added to the waiting list (in case of cancellations) then please email info@coppiceapprentice.org.uk

See some photos from Woodland Pioneers 2025

Last year was another great week – we’re missing the 2025 cohort and can’t wait to see some of you again as well as meeting new faces!

If you attended last year and want to share photos, please send them to Kath or add them to our Google Photos album.

Make a Donation

We’re a charity looking for people or organisations that can help us financially. If you are one of these people then please consider making a donation.

Or maybe you know of others who could help us. Please ask them reach out to us.

Join Our Mailing List

We send out occasional emails with details about Woodland Pioneers, Apprenticeship placements and more.

Click the button to find out how…

Woodland Pioneers

24 – 28 August 2026

BHMAT is well known for organising a yearly week of woodland craft courses.

Riving oak, cooking charcoal, creating stools, whittling treen.

Run from the beautiful woodlands of Silverdale, North Lancashire.

Get Involved!

You don’t need to be a coppice worker to be involved with BHMAT or Woodland Pioneers.

Maybe you can offer your help in other ways as a volunteer.

Be a Sponsor!

BHMAT is always interested in finding new sponsors.

If you are involved in the coppicing industry and would like to talk to someone about becoming a sponsor, please get in touch.

Our Tool Bank

We have a collection of tools that our apprentices can borrow from – very handy when running courses.

If you’re already involved with BHMAT then we may be able to lend tools to you too!