Before improvements in coal-mining and communications were made, charcoal was an important fuel for smiths and metal workers as it could be obtained locally and yet it gave off a much better heat than wood; until Stuart times it was also used by the rich to heat their homes. The charcoal burners, or "collier's" sometimes lived in tents or huts in the woods for the burning season.

The mounds of faggots for burning were up to 20’ in diameter and high, covered with turf.

Charcoal burners were still working in this area in the early 18th century. According to VCH the industry was known at Collisters Hill in Great Alne and at Skilts in Studley (1713) and at Wallers Hill, Studley (1678). "The right to coale trees" is mentioned in leases for the above Studley sites and "colliers" appear in the parish register in 1669 and 1695.

This was a common industry in Feckenham Forest and it is surprising that there is little existing evidence of tanning in this area despite the numerous glovers, saddlers and cordwainers who worked here.

Hides were rinsed and fulled under hammers of a fulling mill then placed in pits of oak-bark liquor or lime solution for a year or more; if oak bark was used it was ground in a stone mill rather like a cider mill; the liquor was put in fresh water in timber-lined pits and left to ferment. Water was an important ingredient and so tanneries were usually near to a river or well.

A deed of 1752, County Record Office (Warks), suggests that tanning was carried on be hind the houses in Church Street, Alcester, with the Arrow as the water source. in 1759 John Garfield, tanner, appears in Spernall register. in Studley, tanners are mentioned in the parish register in the 18th century and in the tithe award in the 19th; they may have worked at Tanhouse Farm (v. below) which is just in Ipsley parish.

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