Where to buy board in england?

[aaron]

Asking for a friend...
I have been spending some time on the bowyers group on reddit.
Theres a kid in england looking to make a board bow.
Whats the name of a big or common store he should go to?
Besides a board, whats a kid to do in england? Are there places you can cut trees?

[Strichev]

I'm not from England, but I imagine that unless he lives in the very centre of the worst imaginable post-industrial urban blight with no means to get around, he should have access to hazel. Most people don't mind if a hazel or two disappear from the hedgerow.

[Hawkdancer]

Del would be the answer man for that.  I imagine it depends on where the lad actually lives, but there should be a hardware/lumber store somewhere relatively close.
Hawkdancer

[George Tsoukalas]

Proper grain selection becomes crucial. Check my site.

http://traditionalarchery101.com

Jawge

[Del the cat]

Better off cutting timber. There is plenty of Hazel, Ash, Maple Sycamore. It's a matter of asking around local conservation groups, council parks departments, tree surgeons etc . Any time he hears a chain saw he should investigate.
First find the timber, then worry about how to get permission or how to cut it.
Finding a good timber merchant is more costly, but searching for timber merchants, or archery material suppliers will find something.
Del

[aaron]

Thanks everyone, I'll pass this on!

[bownarra]

Forget boards we don't have any stores like 'home depot' etc that supply decent wood.
Just go out and cut some hazel or ash.
If he lives in the North i'll sort him out a stave, maybe some lessons

[sieddy]

Yeah I guess it's hard to get started if you don't know trees and are used to cutting wood. I have got some decent wood from building suppliers, the grain was useless but I didn't know better and wasted lots of money and time! If you buy a good quality stave it'll cost a fortune, someone on Ebay wants £300 for an English Yew stave! and that's not for learning on right!?!
That's a great offer Bownarra, it'd be great if he does live local. These forums and Facebook are amazing for linking folk! 😎

[stuckinthemud]

Timber suppliers, if you are exceptionally lucky might be able to get you some ash . Best to harvest your own, as Del says

[bownarra]

Yes as Del says...
It's not about being lucky, plenty of the good yards will have straight enough ash in BUT the problem comes when you ask to search through it all for the good stuff.

[Hamish]

Quick's Archery used to sell lemonwood staves, backings etc. No mention of then on their current website though.
Barebow archery sells quality bowyer materials, staves, backings etc.
Woodbow UK sell elm billets, backing strips in oak and ash.

Due to length in shipping and that they already selected as bow grade timber you will be paying a premium, unless you live close enough to pick them up directly