Inspiration comes from many things. In the case of Cambridge Wood Works, the acquisition of a new wood burning stove and the need to find a source of dry, affordable wood was the catalyst for David Ousby and Catherine Slack to set up this social enterprise.
From this need, they developed the wonderful Cambridge Hotlogs – ideal for woodstoves, they are clean-burning, eco-friendly reclaimed wood briquettes which produce more heat than firewood and less ash.
As well as the Hotlogs, Cambridge Wood Works creates other inspired things from reclaimed timber. For the garden there are log stores, compost bins, picnic tables and herb boxes as well as ‘hedgehog hotels’, bird and bat boxes! For the home, there are pretty decorative items as well as shelves and occasionally furniture too. You can also specify the exact size of simple items made to order from their range – particularly useful if space is an issue.
The reclaimed scaffold boards used (particularly the older ones), have great character which comes out in all the products and if you are into DIY, you can buy timber here and make your own creations. Cambridge Wood Works also offers a waste wood collection service. There is a charge, but if you are working on a project, it could work out cheaper than hiring a skip and it’s guaranteed that 100 percent of the wood is reused or recycled.
The company itself is a Community Interest Company, so they operate for the benefit of the community by providing employment, education and volunteering opportunities and any profits are reinvested in the business, donated to charity or used to help other local community organisations.
Tues – Fri: 10am-4pm and some Saturdays
Closed Sun, Mon and seasonal holidays
Call ahead to check Sat openings.
No card payments, cash/cheque only
Cambridge Wood Works
Unit 9, Penn Farm Studios
Harston Road
Haslingfield
Cambridge CB23 1JZ
Tel: +44 (0)1223 870048
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The colourful and informative book, Independent Cambridge, is available from Waterstones, Heffers, many of the independent shops and online at www.independent-cambridge.co.uk
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