Donated bird boxes and bee hotels © Vicky Ashby
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s (DWT’s) Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre has received a donation of nearly 100 items crafted from off-cuts of wood, by local carpenter, Barney Barker.
Items include stunning hedgehog boxes, doorstops, bat boxes, bug hotels, bird feeding stations and bird boxes. Each piece is unique and expertly crafted.
Barney is a retired master carpenter, based in Poole, who spent much of his time making kitchens and bespoke furniture. Now he has turned his hand using his skills to help wildlife conservation in Dorset by offering his wildlife home creations to DWT free of charge, and has made similar donations in the past to the DWT Urban Wildlife Centre in Corfe Mullen.
DWT Centre Assistant, Vicky Ashby said, “We couldn’t believe how many items Barney had donated – we were delighted when he turned up with them! They look more like works of art, and many of them have some lovely individual detail on the design, so that no two items look the same. It’s wonderful that Barney has made this donation, which will help wildlife in gardens, and the profits from the sales will go directly back into conservation work in Dorset.”
Carpenter, Barney Barker said, “I am very pleased to donate these to DWT so they can sell them to raise funds for conservation work in Dorset. I hope the people who buy my work enjoy watching wildlife take up homes in them in their gardens! I am always looking for off-cuts of wood, so would be grateful for any donations so I can continue my work.”
If you have any off-cuts of wood (preferably not pallets) please call Barney on 01202 547154.
Take a look at Barney’s donations and buy your own unique piece (prices start from £4) at The Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Road, Portland, DT4 9XE. The Bird Bonanza will be taking place at the centre throughout half term week, from 10am–4pm daily, with kids’ craft activities and tips on making your garden bird friendly for the winter. The wildlife shop is also open if you want to make a start on your Christmas shopping – 100% of the profits go back into helping wildlife in Dorset.
Edited 4 November 2015, phone number changed
