Woodlore's 30th Anniversary
1983 - 2013
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In 1983, a young man from the North Downs of England took a leap and founded his own company. After years of teaching himself the ancient skills
devised by our ancestors, his aim was to bring these techniques back to life, passing them on to other kindred outdoorsmen and women. The man’s
name was Ray Mears, and the company he created was Woodlore, The School of Wilderness Bushcraft.
That Woodlore is now in its 30th year is testament to the ambition, devotion and knowledge which Ray Mears invested in his company, as he laid
the foundations for what would arguably become the most respected and widely recognised school for Bushcraft today.
Over the past thirty years I have had the excitement of steering Woodlore on a voyage of discovery literally around the world, running courses in some of our planet's remotest corners, living alongside some of the oldest cultures, and tracking some of the most dangerous and fascinating wildlife in existence. Guiding my hand throughout these years have been several principles; a commitment to honest
professionalism, a willingness to take the difficult path, reliability, and the belief that humour can dispel adversity.
As Woodlore now celebrates its 30th anniversary, I am excited to see what the year ahead brings. Projects that have long been in planning will
soon come to fruition, as we announce a host of new Bushcraft courses both in the UK and overseas. We are also proud to unveil a selection of
exclusive commemorative items of equipment and clothing, to mark this special occasion.
At this milestone in Woodlore’s journey, I would like to extend my thanks to the many students, the 'Woodloreans', who have sat around our
campfire over the past thirty years. Your passion, enthusiasm and willingness to push beyond known boundaries has been the greatest inspiration,
and continues to work its magic today on a new generation of instructors.
Best wishes,
Ray Mears
Founder of Woodlore
30th Anniversary Courses and Expeditions
For our 30th anniversary, we have joined forces with some of the world's most highly skilled specialist instructors in the field of
Bushcraft. As such, we are delighted to release our most exciting courses and expeditions yet, some of which are exclusive to our anniversary
year:
 Carving Master Class with Ray Mears
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As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations we are very pleased to offer you a special new opportunity to learn carving skills from the expert woodsman, Ray Mears.
Throughout this memorable day, Ray will guide you through various techniques and tips that he has accumulated over the past forty years and will help to improve your level of skill and safety with your cutting tools.
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Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears
and Pinock Smith
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Join us in celebrating Woodlore's 30th Anniversary by building one of the greatest crafts ever made by man.
During this special one-off course exclusive to our anniversary year you will be guided by Ray Mears and Pinock Smith, an Algonquin Indian canoe builder whose knowledge has descended directly from the master canoe builders of the past.
Throughout this memorable day, Ray will guide you through various techniques and tips that he has accumulated over the past forty years and will help to improve your level of skill and safety with your cutting tools.
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Woodlore Boreal Adventure
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The magnificence of the Boreal Forest has to be seen to be believed. One of the best ways to experience its beauty is to travel through it during winter by
snow machine when the land is cloaked in an icy blanket and transformed into a winter wonderland.
During this trip we will be making a serious journey in wild country which means learning arctic bushcraft skills is an absolute necessity. The daily routine
will mean that your skills in the north will be honed and will take on a fluency and you will become highly efficient in the way you carry out tasks.
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The Heroes of Telemark Anniversary Expedition
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The Ray Mears' Real Heroes of Telemark TV series demonstrated the bravery of a small group of Norwegian saboteurs during WWII who put their lives at risk
to stop the Germans gaining access to a substance called Deuterium Oxide or 'heavy water', a secret ingredient crucial in the Nazis attempt to make an
Atomic Bomb.
Even if you are a novice skier, this exclusive Woodlore expedition will train you to a level that will enable you to undertake this remarkable journey,
retracing the ski tracks of the Norwegian saboteurs.
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Woodlore First Aid Refresher
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As with all skills, whether fire lighting, navigation or carving, practice makes perfect. First aid is certainly no different. It is advised that an annual
refresher course is carried out in order to keep lifesaving skills up to date but sometimes that is not always possible.
A First aid at Work certificate should be renewed every 3 years and that is just one benefit to doing this course.
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Bow Making with Chris Boyton
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The bow is one of mankind's greatest inventions. For thousands of years, the bow and arrow has ensured the survival of the human race. Many cultures around
the globe have relied on this simple weapon to provide meat and to fight battles. Today, in our modern world, most of us no longer rely on the bow in such a
way, but despite this, archery continues to be practiced outside of necessity.
The act of drawing back the bow string and loosing an arrow connects with something deep inside us and satisfies the human mind. This course is led by
professional Bowmaker, Chris Boyton, who has spent 40 years of his life studying the making of these beautiful weapons, and under his watchful eye, you will
be carefully taken through the subtle stages of making your very own English longbow and arrows.
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30th Anniversary Clothing and Equipment
To mark this momentous occasion in Woodlore's history, we have worked together with some of our favourite and most respected brands, to bring you a choice collection of exclusive commemorative products:
