APPLES of all types were among the many fascinating stands at the RHS Woodfest weekend when craftspeople from Crediton and area were sharing space with others from throughout the South West.

More than 700 varieties of apple are grown at RHS Wisley with a few on show at Rosemoor, near Torrington.

Among them was Black Dabinett recorded at the Bath and West Show in 1897, Tom Putt for cider, Cornish Aromatic a dessert or Veitch’s Perfection, Woolbrook Russet is a cooker, so is the wonderful sounding Peasgood’s Nonsuch and Upton Pyne.

With some of the goods from the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust was qualified consultant and medical herbalist Anne Stobart of Crediton whose stall smelled wonderful with soaps, oils, body care products. Anne was also showing how to make a healing balm, showing how people can grow their own ingredients.

Anne is one of the people who set up the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust growing trees and other plants at Holt Wood Herbs in North Devon.

It is all about encouraging people to cultivate and harvest these in a sustainable way with everything they sell contributing towards the Trust.

At Holt Wood they want to show how an ageing conifer plantation can be replaced as a medicinal wood. The website explains everything.

For instance, traditionally willow leaves are said to make hair grow and Anne has a willow conditioner and oil for the hair. “We have been told it works and can be used as a beard oil," she said.

"Instead of plastic beads, willow bark acts as an exfoliant and, of course, it is biodegradable," she added. It is worth asking about animal care as well.

From Bow was woodworker Colin Burlton with his carvings of animals and birds. Most of the wood he uses comes from London parks where trees have had to be cut down for safety.

He began carving like this about 20 years ago. He had been making models of houses but then computers started to overtake his job, so the model making came to an end but he still had his workshop.

He used to sell his work at Torrington and is now in the Salar Gallery at Hatherleigh.

Colin was running a competition with seeds from 18 different sorts of tree or shrub, inviting people to match the seed with the wood. No-one managed to do all of them but a few managed about half.

He said this was an interesting exercise with children and would be willing to take it into schools or other groups. He also gives demonstrations.

Sue Read