Peter is a semi-retired public health doctor. He bought Fishpond Wood in 2012 as a retirement project and, with a lot of help from volunteers, Forestry Commission and Nidderdale AONB, has set about restoring it to greater biodiversity. He also has a secondary objective of turning it into a local “Natural” Health Service, promoting wellbeing by creative activity with other people in the outdoors. He has just finished building a study barn, with disabled access and a large log burner, to allow groups to come in all seasons. It is designed on a hexagonal plan to reflect “six ways to wellbeing”. These six ways are: be creative, be mindful, keep learning, be active, be connected to others, and make a contribution.
Peter is a semi-retired public health doctor. He bought Fishpond Wood in 2012 as a retirement project and, with a lot of help from volunteers, Forestry Commission and Nidderdale AONB, has set about restoring it to greater biodiversity. He also has a secondary objective of turning it into a local “Natural” Health Service, promoting wellbeing by creative activity with other people in the outdoors. He has just finished building a study barn, with disabled access and a large log burner, to allow groups to come in all seasons. It is designed on a hexagonal plan to reflect “six ways to wellbeing”. These six ways are: be creative, be mindful, keep learning, be active, be connected to others, and make a contribution.
About my work
Apart from seasonal woodland work, and when not doing public health consultancy, Peter engages in a number of creative pursuits, some of which are illustrated here. He likes to carve wood and, on a larger scale, to make rustic furniture and other wooden artefacts. He also enjoys creative writing and drawing. His favourite medium is pastels as shown, but is exploring other media. Logs, furniture and some artwork will be sold to support the woodland restoration work. He would like to share the experience with others.
The hexagonal study barn is near the historic ice house in the north east corner of Fishpond Wood. It is available to hire for appropriate activities in small groups of any age, and a base from which to explore the wider wood. Peter and his wife Michelle (a teacher) intend to lead some activities themselves as the project grows. Any health benefits are a bonus, but given his clinical background Peter is keen to research and evaluate these benefits as the project develops.
