CHARMING CHESTNUT

Autumn months mean harvests of apples and blackberries, which are much easier with the help of a traditional chestnut 'hen crook' with which to pull the branches closer.  It is also a wonderful time for rambling about the countryside with a chestnut hiking staff, thumbstick or shepherd's crook by your side.  Coppiced chestnut wood has been used for walking sticks for centuries and its popularity shows no sign of abating.