Malcolm Ward - M Ward Besom Maker

Malcolm Ward, from Holymoorside in Chesterfield, heard about LandSkills EM through a friend as he was interested in woodfuel and wanted to learn more.

Malcolm found the courses extremely beneficial, not least because of the networking with other like minded people.

 

Having owned his own gardening business at 17, Maloclm emigrated to Canada where he became a foreman for a landscaping company.  Having then invested in laundromats, real estate, and working in publishing and event organising, Malcolm then returned to England to live. 

When back in England a man in the village made besoms but was wanting to retire so Malcolm took it over to prevent the business being lost.

With LandSkills EM money Malcolm has been on a number of courses including:

• Ignite: Woodfuel Production & Supply (September 2010)
• Firewood Production & Supply (October 2010)
• Managing Woodlands for Woodfuel (November 2010)
• Chain saw course – CS30/31
• Timber framing – braces
• Timber framing - rafters.

Malcolm found the courses extremely beneficial, not least because of the networking with other like minded people.  It has turned a very negative attitude to the business in the early part of last year to a much more positive view this year as a result of the course environment and interaction with others.  

With the training Malcolm has changed his focus which has definitely helped the bottom line of his business.  He now feels very strongly that woodfuel is the way forward. 

Malcolm believes other companies should take advantage of LandSkills EM funding because it's knowledge, not necessarily knowledge you gain directly but the “spin-off” information that you absorb from meeting people.

Doing a chainsaw course taught Malcolm about the chain brake – a major safety feature – with very important information that could avoid serious injury to chainsaw users.  This highlighted to him the need for proper training.

Malcolm continues to carry on with training and is going on a first aid course – another course that he realises he should have done many years ago. 

When Malcolm started taking courses, obtaining funding was a big thing and without it he would'nt have bothered taking them.  "The availability of funding spurred me on to do it.  I have always found course instructors excellent – very knowledgeable and good at the job dealing with all kinds of different people in a pleasant manner."

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