LAST CHARCOAL BURNERS

Shannon News, 19 January 1926, Page 4

LAST CHARCOAL BURNERS

For more than 1000 years charcoal burning has been an industry of, the New-Forest in Hampshire. One by one the old forest families who plied this ancient trade have passed away, and the skill to burn .the wood has been lost. The man who claims to be the last still actively engaged is Fred Maurice Cull, the descendant of a long line. In a clearing in the deep woods he lives JS-nd sleeps—his home a little wheeled cabin. To the place where he burns he moves, taking the implements of his trade with him. For the last 2 1 years he has been charcoal-making in the woods of Furzy Lawn, near Lyndhurst unseen by the thousands of motorists who pass by 500 yards away. Talking to a Daily Mail reporter, Mr. Cull said that he was the only one in the country who burnt in exactly the same way as they did, in the days of William the Conqueror. The knowledge and skill have been handed down from father to son and cannot be taught. Others have tried especially during the war, when there was a great demand for charcoal, but have given it up,. The .charcoal burning is done in a shallow pit 10 yards in diameter. The wood is cut and piled into small stacks, each stick being about 4ft long. The Crown provides the wood, but Mr. Cull has to buy it, and when he has burned the quantity in • one place the Crown tells him where there is another lot ready for him. He, burns about two tons at a time and the operation takes three to four days. " The, logs are stacked together in a circle leaning inwards • and covered with bracken, tufts of grass, and litter It is set alight from the top, a small piece of lighted wood being thrust | into the centre. It "then burns down, wards, and the skill lies in producing charcoal without breaking it to pieces. Water is sprinkled on the pile from time to time and though there is a great beat actual flames are kept under until 'the <md of the burning. Ships are supplied with ' charcoal for filtering water and for cooking . Mr. Cull has installer a wireless set in his cabin, using trees to carry the aerial.