This week I travelled to Sheffield to attend the Small Woods Conference on behalf of New England Woods Trust. I was quite keen to find out more about the spread and identification of Chalara ash die-back and also to meet owners of woodlands about the same size as ours. It was a wonderful experience and I had an extremely good day listening to very interesting lectures, being involved in round table discussions and observing some high quality woodland crafts. I did meet people who have similar problems to us and they came from all parts of the country. They were helpful in their advice and observations as well as sympathetic to the pressures all woodland areas are now facing. I will prepare a short reflection of the day for the Trustees which should, in time be made publicly available. Meanwhile our woodland has had a well needed shower of rain and it now feels poised between summer and autumn. The leaves are slowly turning and a slightly different scent hangs in the air.