Rae has spent 40 years working as a coppicer in the Malverns but had to hang up her boots due to significant pain in both knees, no longer able to walk up the hills and over uneven ground.
Coppicing is a form of woodland management that dates as far back as 5,000 B.C. and involves cutting the stems of trees (often Hazel) right down to the ground that encourages new growth. The tradition has been practiced in Park Wood in the Malverns for hundreds of years. It's done to prevent trees from dying out, helping keep vital habitats for woodland animals.
Rae came to the ROH for a Left Total Knee Replacement in August 2024 and a Right Total Knee Replacement in August 2025. She's now back to work and shares some glimpses of her working days:
