March 2026 News from the Sawmill
Welcome to our March Newsletter
This month we explore the small details that can quietly undermine a good cladding project and how to avoid them.
We also look at a more unusual use of timber, as British oak supplied by Vastern helps restore a working waterwheel at the National Trust’s historic mill at Dunster Castle.
There’s a short film from Wood for the Trees exploring coppicing and why this centuries-old woodland practice still matters today.
And finally, a small hint of something new taking shape at the mill, shared quietly with newsletter readers first.
We’ve also seen a welcome surge in newsletter subscribers recently, so if you’re new here – welcome aboard. And to our regular readers, thank you for the continued support.
The Small Detail That Ruins Cladding
You can choose the right timber.
Design the façade carefully.
Install every board perfectly.
Then ruin the whole thing with one small detail.
The fixings.
We explain why – and how to avoid it.
Case Study: Restoring the Waterwheel at Dunster Castle
When most people think about oak, they picture beams or flooring.
But oak still has an important role in heritage engineering.
We look at how Ian Clark Restoration used British oak supplied by Vastern Timber to rebuild the waterwheel at the National Trust’s historic watermill at Dunster Castle.
Wood for the Trees: Coppicing in the UK
Coppicing is one of Britain’s oldest woodland management practices.
Trees are cut back to the stump, allowing fresh stems to regenerate naturally. The result is a renewable cycle of timber production that has supported rural industries for centuries.
We are proud to share this fim by Wood for the Trees, which has already accumulated fifty thousand views. The film focuses on coppicing, explains the technique and discussess how it continues to shape our woodlands today.
Behind Closed Doors
There’s a quiet hum of activity at the mill at the moment.
A small team at Vastern has been exploring a new product idea. One that could be a British first, and perhaps even a world first.
It’s all very much under wraps for now.
But if you’re reading this, you’re already closer to the inside story than most.
When the time comes, you’ll be the first to hear.
