Ebworth Ash Curved Wooden Stool

In the third year of their collaboration, the National Trust and Sylva Foundation have produced an additional run of hand-crafted Ebworth stools.

The Ebworth Ash Curved Wooden Stool has been crafted from ash timber felled as a result of ash dieback on the National Trust's Ebworth Estate in the Cotswolds. By felling trees that have suffered ash dieback, we support the creation of healthy ecosystems where nature and wildlife flourish. These stools have been handmade by students at the Sylva Foundation's wood school and have enabled both the National Trust and Sylva Foundation to reduce waste, while supporting high quality, local craftsmanship.

Due to the handcrafted nature and the natural material its made from, no two are the same. Each wooden stool is completely unique featuring its own individual grain markings and colours - a definite statement piece.

The stool has a contemporary and simple silhouette, designed with gently splayed legs and a curved seat for extra comfort and style.

National Trust Head of Trees and Woodland, John Deakin commented on the collaboration, “I’m so pleased we’ve been able to work with Sylva Foundation and turn the sad loss of our trees into something so positive. This is a great example of how we can manage our woodlands in a positive way, if and when the worst happens. Ash dieback is one of the biggest threats to our native woodlands in the UK with ash making up nearly 40% of composition.

As a conservation charity, we are so reliant on the skills of experts, some of whom are incredibly rare in their field, so by helping Sylva Foundation – both in terms of materials and business training – we are contributing to the future of skilled craftspeople.”

Sylva Foundation CEO, Dr Gabriel Hemery, said, “The collaboration with the National Trust has been a wonderful opportunity for the charity and a brilliant live project for students at the Sylva Wood School. Our students have learnt a huge amount about working with ash and how to deliver high-quality products to meet with a commercial deadline."

"Working with home grown timber from local woodlands benefits people and the environment, giving our students an incredible sense of purpose." - Joseph Bray, Sylva Wood School Course Leader.