ForestSceneSummer 2014

You can now find The National Forest onFacebook, and we tweet @NatForestCo www.nationalforest.org

>> page 5 >> page 6

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Bushcraft ShowGrow A Tree Tenth Anniversary

Black To Green Walking the Way

Photographs courtesy of Maureen Cooper, Ruth Hill, Jacqui Rock, Martin Vaughan, Beth Walsh, Sinfonia Viva, Strawberry Fields Festival,The Woodland Trust, Woodstone Community Primary School, 2020VISION/Fergus Gill/Ben Hall/Ross Hoddinott.

The National Forest CompanyBath Yard, Moira, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6BAT: 01283 551211 E: enquiries@nationalforest.orgW: www.nationalforest.org

Large print version available Tel: 01283 551211

Burton upon Trent

Swadlincote

Ashby de la Zouch

Coalville

Derby

Birmingham Leicester

Nottingham

The new 75-mile long distancetrail uses existing public rights of way to explore the highlightsof The National Forest. Walk iteast to west, or west to east,between the National MemorialArboretum in Staffordshire andBeacon Hill Country Park inLeicestershire, the Way takesyou through rolling hills, ancientforest and plenty of newwoodlands. You will see ‘King Coal’ country, walk beside water and meander through meadows.

For an article in Walk magazine,Peter Wood of Greenwood Dayssaid: “People will find it morethan just a nice walk. Openyour eyes, look for clues inthe landform, and explore

the forest as a living,breathing thing.”

The National Forest Companyhas created the National ForestWay in partnership withDerbyshire, Leicestershire andStaffordshire County Councils,with the generous support of Fisher German and thevaluable contribution of local landowners.

Accessible for experienced andnew walkers alike, the NationalForest Way is accompanied byleaflets, online information andclear signage. With links into themain towns across The NationalForest it will provide a new andeasily reached outdoor challengefor all those who enjoy walking,exploring the countryside anddiscovering new places.

Find out more about the new trail atwww.nationalforestway.co.uk

>> See more on page 6

Scroll through the treesDon’t forget to let us know if you would prefer to read Forest Sceneonline. Email forestscene@nationalforest.org Thank you!

EventsMAY17-18 Moira Canal Festival 01530 515273

17-29 National Forest WalkingFestival 01283 222848

17-31 Ashby Arts Festival 01530 411767

24-25 Food Gusto Food & DrinkFestival, Ashby de la Zouch 01530 411337

24-26 The Bushcraft Show, Catton Hall 03334 567123

24-1 June Half Term Fun,CONKERS 01283 216633

29 The Tale of JemimaPuddleduck, Rosliston ForestryCentre 01283 563483

JUNE21 Heart of the Forest Festival, Measham 07443 651457

28 Armed Forces Day, National Memorial Arboretum01283 792333

28-29 South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure 01283 222848

JULY4-6 National Forest Folk Festival,CONKERS 01676 540219

13 Ashby Show 01283 229225

18-19 Burton Jazz Festival 01283 532880

19Wildlife Bioblitz Event,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

27-3 August Heather Scarecrow Festivalheatherscarecrow@gmail.com

AUGUST3World War I Day, Moira Furnace01283 224667

8-10 Strawberry Fields Festival,Cattows Farmwww.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

13 Family Bushcraft Evening,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

15-17 Moira Furnace Folk Festival 01530 272305

25 National Forest Wood Fair,Beacon Hill Country Parkwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

27 Junior Bushcraft Day, RoslistonForestry Centre 01283 563483

SEPTEMBER6 Last Night of The Proms,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

6-27 Melbourne Festival of theCreative and Performing Arts 07765 819428

OCTOBER4 Ride To The Wall, NationalMemorial Arboretum 01283 792333

10-1 Nov Screamfest, NationalForest Adventure Farm 01283 533933

The developmentyear of TheNational Forest’sBlack to Greenproject is wellunderway.CommunityEngagementOfficer, CarolineScothern, has

devised a full programme ofactivities designed to involvepeople from the localcommunities in the heart of TheNational Forest with thewoodlands where they live.

The activities include health walks, willow weaving, woodlandmanagement, moth trapping and bushcraft. Adults, childrenand families are all taking part.

Caroline said: “The Black toGreen project builds onfeedback we have alreadyreceived – people telling usthat they are keen for moreways and opportunities to getinvolved in the Forest. We’reusing this year to test out arange of activities and find outwhat interests people themost. We’ll then have ideas to

develop through Black toGreen in future years.”

If you would like to know more about Black to Green, email Caroline atblacktogreen@nationalforest.org

Black to Green

[

>> Story continues from front page

Our ForestFuturesGROWING UP IN THE NATIONALFOREST – WHAT CHANGES,CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT OFFER?

Young people from four schools in TheNational Forest worked and performedalongside professional musicians fromregional orchestra Sinfonia Viva, to lookat how living in The National Forest mayshape their lives.

More than 100students fromWoodstoneCommunity, WhitwickSt John the Baptistand All Saints primaryschools, as well asCastle Rock High

School, worked with renowned Vivacomposer Jack Ross and musiciansfrom Viva and Leicester-Shire Schools Music Services (LSMS), to compose music and songs for ‘Our Forest Futures’.

>> Story continues on page 5

New woodland management grantsupports work at Beacon Hill

As part of a pilot scheme testedover the winter, 23 grants wereoffered to landowners across theForest for them to carry outwoodland management activity intheir woodlands. LeicestershireCounty Council applied for fundingto cover two sites at the popularBeacon Hill Country Park.

The woodland at West BeaconFields was planted in 2000. Thetrees had been growing for 14years and the woodland was nowin need of a variety ofmanagement works. The CountyCouncil submitted a grantapplication to cover the removal of2.5 kilometres of redundant rabbitfencing, coppicing of hazel stools,formative pruning of oak and otherimportant species to improve theshape and growth of the trees andthinning of ride edges to widenand increase light to the tracks, as well as improve views into the woodland.

The second site is the Native TreeCollection, which encompassesthe 28 native trees of the BritishIsles as defined by the late AlanMitchell (renowned botanist andtree expert). This was planted in

1995 and includes several areas of hazel coppice. After 19 years,680 metres of redundant rabbitfencing have been removed overthe winter, tree guards which had served their valuable purposehave been cleared away, and two areas of hazel coppice havebeen brought into productiverotation again.

Nick Fell, Countryside ServicesManager with LeicestershireCounty Council, said: “Withoutgrant funding from the NationalForest Company these workswould not have progressedthis year. As a result of themanagement, both sites, whichattract over 100,000 visitors ayear, have been significantlyimproved for visitors, wildlifeand future timber value.”

The grant scheme will be re-opening for landowners in The National Forest this summer (2014).

For more information pleasecontact Charles Robinson,Woodland Management Officeron 01283 551211 or emailcerobinson@nationalforest.org

The National Forest Company has launched an innovative programmeto encourage effective woodland management throughout the 200square miles of The National Forest. As well as providing help andadvice, the programme includes a new grant scheme designedspecifically to support woodland management activity.

This month-long creative project began with a visit to CONKERSDiscovery Centre where the young people learnt bushcraft skills,explored the exhibition hall and walked barefoot across timber, bark,coal, wood and clay. Their responses to these Forest experiences werethe creative sparks for the songs and music they started to create.National Forest Community Liaison Officer, Sue Anderson, said: “Thisproject was a wonderful opportunity to work with young people andencourage them to think about how living with The National Forest islikely to change their lives and choices as they grow up. “They saw the Forest through fresh eyes and spent time thinking aboutopportunities for enjoying the great outdoors, learning new skills andconsidering new futures – whether it be forestry and woodland work orhospitality and tourism.“Using music in this way is a wonderful way to discover and sharewhat The National Forest is all about, inspiring a wider audience ofother young people, and all the families and friends who enjoyed the final performance.”

‘Our Forest Futures’

Ash treeprotectorLeicestershire-based artistMaureen Cooper explores theidea of ‘protection’ in TheNational Forest. Using thematerial that safeguardsnewly planted trees, this piecestands in an ash grove as atotem, a reminder of thecurrent vulnerability of treesagainst ash dieback.

More treesplantedNearly 100,000 trees wereplanted in The National Forestover the winter of 2013/14.

Catton Hall was the largest ofthree substantial ChangingLandscape Schemes createdthis planting season. As wellas planting thousands ofnative trees, a number ofponds have been created or restored, and standingdeadwood left in place,providing excellent habitat forinsects and fungi.

The National Forest Way is here!

>> ] The National Forest – transforming 200 square miles of central England

LAUNCH DATE IS 17TH MAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE NATIONALFOREST WALKING FESTIVAL. FROM MID-MAY ONWARDS, THENATIONAL FOREST WAY WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Enjoy the National Forest WalkingFestival 17 – 29 May

With over 70 walks to choosefrom, the Festival offers greatways to explore hidden parts ofThe National Forest. All walksare led by an experienced leaderwith local knowledge, soparticipants can find out whathas shaped and influenced thelandscape through which theyare walking.

The walks range from ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous’, in terms of terrain,length and the speed at which they might be walked. Most of thewalks are free and do not need to be booked.

See more at www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk

“Walking the National Forest Way, you are constantlysurprised by the variety of landscapes. It seems all Englandis here: coal and granite, heathland and hills, meadow andwater – all framed by woodland.” Volunteer route tester.

You can download route descriptions from the website(www.nationalforestway.co.uk) or pick up information at Ashby de la Zouch and Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Dip in for the day, walk for a weekend or cover the whole 75 miles in one go – it's up to you! Tweet us your pictures @NatForestCo #nationalforestway or share on Facebook The National Forest

www.nationalforestway.co.uk

SpringtimeVolunteers from CHEP, a National

Forest sponsor, planted hornbeam,walnut, and wild cherry this spring.

Bushcraft Show24 – 26 May Catton Hall

www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk

Visit the Bushcraft Show atCatton Hall and try yourhand at woodland crafts,firelighting, shelter building,tracking, foraging, woodlandgames. See the amazingMassai Warrior DanceTroupe from the Rift Valley,Kenya, and learn some ofthe Massai ways.

Enjoy a walk:Now and Then

AN EARTH MOVER WILLSOON BE ON SITE TOCREATE ‘NOW AND THEN’,A DEEP SPIRAL LANDFORM AT THE WOODLANDTRUST’S QUEENELIZABETH DIAMONDJUBILEE WOOD, NEARNORMANTON LE HEATH INTHE NATIONAL FOREST.

Landscape artist RosieLeventon has beencommissioned to produce a large-scale artwork for thenew woodland, the flagshipWoodland Trust site created to celebrate the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee.

Archaeologists have discoveredartefacts on the site showingcontinuous habitation from thevery start of farming in Neolithictimes through to Romano-British inhabitants in the 2ndcentury AD. Rosie’s design isinspired by a Bronze Age quern(a stone for grinding grain) thatwas found on the site.

The structure will measure 36metres across and will be fourmetres deep. Visitors will beable to walk down into the‘bowl’ and it is hoped theproductive native shrubsaround the edge will provideextra food for the resident bird populations.

>> [>> page 3 >> page 4

Catherine’s column

>> page 2

Leave a legacy to The National Forest and create a green and living memory.

See www.nationalforest.org/sponsor/legacy/

THE FOREST’S NEXTDECADE – A SPRING IN OUR STEP

As you read this, springwill be well and trulyunderway and bluebelltime, which I love, will behere. I hope you have achance to enjoy somewonderful days outside.For us, the opening of theNational Forest Way inMay as part of the

Walking Festival (see page 6) will be a really significantmilestone in the coming of age of the Forest. Sadly, I can’tbe at the opening but I’m hoping to walk the Way later inthe year, accompanied by my border terrier, of whom youhave heard before!

The opening – a very special event for us - follows thepleasure and satisfaction of receiving a strong message ofsupport from Government in the autumn, confirming thatit will continue to back the creation and care of TheNational Forest through the next decade. As well as ourcore funding from Government we are very fortunate tohave the support of businesses and individuals and thissupport base will only increase over the next ten years.Our renewed thanks to all our partners.

Our aim is to make the most of this green lung growingaround us. You may be able to help with suggestions offacilities, information or activities which would make iteven better for you. The team is always open to new ideasand now is the time to share them as we embark on thenext ten years.

If you’d rather focus on today, may it be one withwoodland, sky and the great outdoors. Enjoy this editionof Forest Scene.

Richard Ingram, Jaguar and The National Forest

Jaguar supported The National Forestin its early days and Jaguar LountWood is now thriving, including manywalnut trees which are part of anational research project.

Richard Ingram, who worked forJaguar, was a driving force behind thecompany’s involvement in the Forest.Sadly he died in 2013 but he left arequest for a further tree to be planted.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, met hisfamily. She said: “The photo shows Judy, Christopher and JonathanIngram at Staunton Harold, with the maple tree Richard bequeathed. Weare very grateful.”

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations, Jaguar Land Rover, said:"Jaguar is pleased and proud to have had a colleague makingsuch a contribution to The National Forest."

Catch up on the National Forest blogWe call it ‘Woodland Edge’. The edge is one of themost interesting places in a woodland: “a dynamichabitat where wildlife, light, activity and diversity are the most prolific.”

Read our posts about woodland management,wassailing, and a visit to the Minorca mine; read a‘pooping blog’, read about halo thinning, or Calke’sGarden of the Imagination.

Spend a few minutes at the Woodland Edge via the National Forest website:www.nationalforest.org/newsroom/

]]

Protecting the treesPHS DIRECT STAFF WERE OUT WITH THEIR SAWS ANDHAMMERS BUILDING TREE CRATES TO PROTECT SEVERALLARGE PARKLAND TREES, AS THEY PUT THE FINISHINGTOUCHES TO CADBOROUGH HILL WOOD, AT OVERSEAL.

Over 150 employees,families, customers andsuppliers from PHSDirect have beeninvolved in events at thesite over the last fouryears, planting youngtrees with enthusiasm,including oak, silverbirch, wild cherry andsmall leaved lime, andsome coniferous trees –Douglas Fir and ScotsPine – to add variety and timber-producingpotential.

The new woodland is already a tranquil haven for visitors withspectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

[

Tunnel WoodsWALKERS, CYCLISTS AND HORSE RIDERS ALIKE HAVE BENEFITED FROM NEW AND IMPROVED TRAILSTHROUGH TUNNEL WOODS, NEAR CHURCH GRESLEY.

Thanks to Natural England’s Paths for Communities grantscheme and support from Lex Autolease, Tunnel Woods is now a gateway to the very heart of The National Forest.

From here you canexplore a wide areaof linked woodlandsand walk, cycle orride off-road toConkers DiscoveryCentre, YHA NationalForest and HicksLodge, the NationalForest Cycle Centre.

plantatree to remember a loved one. Many people find

comfort in planting a tree to remember and celebrate the life of a special person. [ ]You can become a Friend of The National Forest.Help us look after the woodlands, improve access to the Forest and provide inspiringenvironmental education projects for young people.

>>

WRITING THIS AS THE BLUEBELLS ARE OUT, IT SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO BETALKING ABOUT ACORNS, BUT DID YOU KNOW THE NATIONAL FOREST COMPANYRUNS A GROW A TREE FROM SEED SCHEME? YOU CAN GROW YOUR VERY OWN OAKTREE AND COME AND PLANT IT IN THE FOREST.

It’s easy! All you have to do is collect a few acorns in the autumn, plant them and watch them grow.

The Grow a Tree from Seed leaflet (available on the National Forest Company website) gives you all theinformation you need on how to nurture and look after your young saplings for the first couple of years.When they are strong enough (usually after two years they will be able to survive in the wild, but still besmall enough to transplant successfully) you will be invited to come along to a planting event in TheNational Forest to plant your tree(s).

Remember to send us your contact details, using the Seedling Pledge document(also available online), so that we know where to send the invitation.

Many people have already participated in the Grow a Tree from Seed scheme and have found the experience very rewarding and the planting events extremely enjoyable. It brings together families and people of all ages, who are interested in helping to grow The National Forest and look after the environment.

National Forest Wood Fair: ten years old“If you like trees,woodland and lovegorgeous things madeout of wood, this is theevent for you.”

Since 2004, the National ForestCompany has worked inpartnership with LeicestershireCounty Council to create a brilliantday out for the whole family, and achance for craftspeople and thosewho work in the timber andwoodland industries, to show theirwares and demonstrate their skills.

This year’s event will be held onBank Holiday Monday 25 August, 9am – 6 pm. Come and enjoy thelumberjack displays, chainsawcarvers and wood turning races;relax with live music, local ales andlocally-produced food. The children

can paddle a coracle, harness up and tackle the climbing wall,make lotions and potions and get creative with eco art.

Purchase your tickets in advance and save money. Buy online atwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.ukor from Ashby de la Zouch or Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Enjoy a family day out for £20! “Excellent fair, very

well organised and a beautiful setting.”

Catherine Graham-Harrison OBE, Chair, National Forest Company.

For more information visitwww.nationalforest.org/involved/seed.php or emailacorns@nationalforest.orgor tel: 01283 551211

We were part of a large, lovingfamily, having a lot of fun,helping to guarantee a futurefor generations to come.

We enjoyed the planting event very much. We named all our seven trees after theSeven Dwarfs!

““ “

“

“Always a greatday out, wouldn’twant to miss it.”

Sponsored by

This year sees the fifthStrawberry Fields Festival,held at Cattows Farm inLeicestershire. It takes itsname from the farm’s 25-year old ‘Pick Your Own’ soft fruit business and setsout its many stalls andstages one weekend eachAugust, amongst the farm’s 100 acres of National Forest planting.

In addition to well-known,established national andinternational acts, the festivalfeatures emerging and local talent.It aims to offer its audience a trulydiverse musical experience: fromfolk to reggae, punk to hip hop –even radical poetry.

As well as the music, festival-goerscan enjoy a touch of retail therapy,experience live art installationsfrom some of the UK’s best graffiti

artists, relax in the Healing zoneand enjoy the rides in the Fun Fair.

The Octopus’s Garden offerschildren’s sessions in Bollywooddancing, circus skills, street danceand storytelling - plus a giant sandpit. All proceeds from the ‘Kids fora Quid’ tickets will be donated bythe Festival to the NSPCC.

See more at:www.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

Help create TheNational Forest: grow a tree from seed

Skylark countryThe open ground beside the

A38, where the mainline railwaytrack runs, is a haven for birds.One of the surprises along the

National Forest Way.

Strawberry Fields forever

Discover Britainfeatured TheNational Forestrecently. As well as agreat storyabout theForest, ituses astunningset ofimagesby 2020VISION.If you are online, you cansee the feature via the link on the National Forest homepage www.nationalforest.org

slug

discoverbritainmag.com OCTOBER//NOVEMBER 2013 123

The National ForestWe see how things are progressing

with the project to create a natural

haven in the industrial MidlandsThe Vivat Trust Introducing the charity turning

Britain’s derelict historic buildings into unique holiday lets Christmas with the Kiplings

Experience a traditional Edwardian

Christmas at Bateman’s, the former

home of author Rudyard Kipling

Wells city guideDiscover one of England’s great

cathedrals and the moated Bishop’s

Palace in this tiny Somerset city

Plus Essential Nottinghamshire | Great British inventions | John Wesley’s House | Ashmolean Broadway

England’s best viewsEnjoy a scenic tour of the country with our guide to

the finest views for every month of the year ahead

Bushcraft Show24 – 26 May Catton Hall

www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk

Visit the Bushcraft Show atCatton Hall and try yourhand at woodland crafts,firelighting, shelter building,tracking, foraging, woodlandgames. See the amazingMassai Warrior DanceTroupe from the Rift Valley,Kenya, and learn some ofthe Massai ways.

Enjoy a walk:Now and Then

AN EARTH MOVER WILLSOON BE ON SITE TOCREATE ‘NOW AND THEN’,A DEEP SPIRAL LANDFORM AT THE WOODLANDTRUST’S QUEENELIZABETH DIAMONDJUBILEE WOOD, NEARNORMANTON LE HEATH INTHE NATIONAL FOREST.

Landscape artist RosieLeventon has beencommissioned to produce a large-scale artwork for thenew woodland, the flagshipWoodland Trust site created to celebrate the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee.

Archaeologists have discoveredartefacts on the site showingcontinuous habitation from thevery start of farming in Neolithictimes through to Romano-British inhabitants in the 2ndcentury AD. Rosie’s design isinspired by a Bronze Age quern(a stone for grinding grain) thatwas found on the site.

The structure will measure 36metres across and will be fourmetres deep. Visitors will beable to walk down into the‘bowl’ and it is hoped theproductive native shrubsaround the edge will provideextra food for the resident bird populations.

>> [>> page 3 >> page 4

Catherine’s column

>> page 2

Leave a legacy to The National Forest and create a green and living memory.

See www.nationalforest.org/sponsor/legacy/

THE FOREST’S NEXTDECADE – A SPRING IN OUR STEP

As you read this, springwill be well and trulyunderway and bluebelltime, which I love, will behere. I hope you have achance to enjoy somewonderful days outside.For us, the opening of theNational Forest Way inMay as part of the

Walking Festival (see page 6) will be a really significantmilestone in the coming of age of the Forest. Sadly, I can’tbe at the opening but I’m hoping to walk the Way later inthe year, accompanied by my border terrier, of whom youhave heard before!

The opening – a very special event for us - follows thepleasure and satisfaction of receiving a strong message ofsupport from Government in the autumn, confirming thatit will continue to back the creation and care of TheNational Forest through the next decade. As well as ourcore funding from Government we are very fortunate tohave the support of businesses and individuals and thissupport base will only increase over the next ten years.Our renewed thanks to all our partners.

Our aim is to make the most of this green lung growingaround us. You may be able to help with suggestions offacilities, information or activities which would make iteven better for you. The team is always open to new ideasand now is the time to share them as we embark on thenext ten years.

If you’d rather focus on today, may it be one withwoodland, sky and the great outdoors. Enjoy this editionof Forest Scene.

Richard Ingram, Jaguar and The National Forest

Jaguar supported The National Forestin its early days and Jaguar LountWood is now thriving, including manywalnut trees which are part of anational research project.

Richard Ingram, who worked forJaguar, was a driving force behind thecompany’s involvement in the Forest.Sadly he died in 2013 but he left arequest for a further tree to be planted.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, met hisfamily. She said: “The photo shows Judy, Christopher and JonathanIngram at Staunton Harold, with the maple tree Richard bequeathed. Weare very grateful.”

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations, Jaguar Land Rover, said:"Jaguar is pleased and proud to have had a colleague makingsuch a contribution to The National Forest."

Catch up on the National Forest blogWe call it ‘Woodland Edge’. The edge is one of themost interesting places in a woodland: “a dynamichabitat where wildlife, light, activity and diversity are the most prolific.”

Read our posts about woodland management,wassailing, and a visit to the Minorca mine; read a‘pooping blog’, read about halo thinning, or Calke’sGarden of the Imagination.

Spend a few minutes at the Woodland Edge via the National Forest website:www.nationalforest.org/newsroom/

]]

Protecting the treesPHS DIRECT STAFF WERE OUT WITH THEIR SAWS ANDHAMMERS BUILDING TREE CRATES TO PROTECT SEVERALLARGE PARKLAND TREES, AS THEY PUT THE FINISHINGTOUCHES TO CADBOROUGH HILL WOOD, AT OVERSEAL.

Over 150 employees,families, customers andsuppliers from PHSDirect have beeninvolved in events at thesite over the last fouryears, planting youngtrees with enthusiasm,including oak, silverbirch, wild cherry andsmall leaved lime, andsome coniferous trees –Douglas Fir and ScotsPine – to add variety and timber-producingpotential.

The new woodland is already a tranquil haven for visitors withspectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

[

Tunnel WoodsWALKERS, CYCLISTS AND HORSE RIDERS ALIKE HAVE BENEFITED FROM NEW AND IMPROVED TRAILSTHROUGH TUNNEL WOODS, NEAR CHURCH GRESLEY.

Thanks to Natural England’s Paths for Communities grantscheme and support from Lex Autolease, Tunnel Woods is now a gateway to the very heart of The National Forest.

From here you canexplore a wide areaof linked woodlandsand walk, cycle orride off-road toConkers DiscoveryCentre, YHA NationalForest and HicksLodge, the NationalForest Cycle Centre.

plantatree to remember a loved one. Many people find

comfort in planting a tree to remember and celebrate the life of a special person. [ ]You can become a Friend of The National Forest.Help us look after the woodlands, improve access to the Forest and provide inspiringenvironmental education projects for young people.

>>

WRITING THIS AS THE BLUEBELLS ARE OUT, IT SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO BETALKING ABOUT ACORNS, BUT DID YOU KNOW THE NATIONAL FOREST COMPANYRUNS A GROW A TREE FROM SEED SCHEME? YOU CAN GROW YOUR VERY OWN OAKTREE AND COME AND PLANT IT IN THE FOREST.

It’s easy! All you have to do is collect a few acorns in the autumn, plant them and watch them grow.

The Grow a Tree from Seed leaflet (available on the National Forest Company website) gives you all theinformation you need on how to nurture and look after your young saplings for the first couple of years.When they are strong enough (usually after two years they will be able to survive in the wild, but still besmall enough to transplant successfully) you will be invited to come along to a planting event in TheNational Forest to plant your tree(s).

Remember to send us your contact details, using the Seedling Pledge document(also available online), so that we know where to send the invitation.

Many people have already participated in the Grow a Tree from Seed scheme and have found the experience very rewarding and the planting events extremely enjoyable. It brings together families and people of all ages, who are interested in helping to grow The National Forest and look after the environment.

National Forest Wood Fair: ten years old“If you like trees,woodland and lovegorgeous things madeout of wood, this is theevent for you.”

Since 2004, the National ForestCompany has worked inpartnership with LeicestershireCounty Council to create a brilliantday out for the whole family, and achance for craftspeople and thosewho work in the timber andwoodland industries, to show theirwares and demonstrate their skills.

This year’s event will be held onBank Holiday Monday 25 August, 9am – 6 pm. Come and enjoy thelumberjack displays, chainsawcarvers and wood turning races;relax with live music, local ales andlocally-produced food. The children

can paddle a coracle, harness up and tackle the climbing wall,make lotions and potions and get creative with eco art.

Purchase your tickets in advance and save money. Buy online atwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.ukor from Ashby de la Zouch or Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Enjoy a family day out for £20! “Excellent fair, very

well organised and a beautiful setting.”

Catherine Graham-Harrison OBE, Chair, National Forest Company.

For more information visitwww.nationalforest.org/involved/seed.php or emailacorns@nationalforest.orgor tel: 01283 551211

We were part of a large, lovingfamily, having a lot of fun,helping to guarantee a futurefor generations to come.

We enjoyed the planting event very much. We named all our seven trees after theSeven Dwarfs!

““ “

“

“Always a greatday out, wouldn’twant to miss it.”

Sponsored by

This year sees the fifthStrawberry Fields Festival,held at Cattows Farm inLeicestershire. It takes itsname from the farm’s 25-year old ‘Pick Your Own’ soft fruit business and setsout its many stalls andstages one weekend eachAugust, amongst the farm’s 100 acres of National Forest planting.

In addition to well-known,established national andinternational acts, the festivalfeatures emerging and local talent.It aims to offer its audience a trulydiverse musical experience: fromfolk to reggae, punk to hip hop –even radical poetry.

As well as the music, festival-goerscan enjoy a touch of retail therapy,experience live art installationsfrom some of the UK’s best graffiti

artists, relax in the Healing zoneand enjoy the rides in the Fun Fair.

The Octopus’s Garden offerschildren’s sessions in Bollywooddancing, circus skills, street danceand storytelling - plus a giant sandpit. All proceeds from the ‘Kids fora Quid’ tickets will be donated bythe Festival to the NSPCC.

See more at:www.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

Help create TheNational Forest: grow a tree from seed

Skylark countryThe open ground beside the

A38, where the mainline railwaytrack runs, is a haven for birds.One of the surprises along the

National Forest Way.

Strawberry Fields forever

Discover Britainfeatured TheNational Forestrecently. As well as agreat storyabout theForest, ituses astunningset ofimagesby 2020VISION.If you are online, you cansee the feature via the link on the National Forest homepage www.nationalforest.org

slug

discoverbritainmag.com OCTOBER//NOVEMBER 2013 123

The National ForestWe see how things are progressing

with the project to create a natural

haven in the industrial MidlandsThe Vivat Trust Introducing the charity turning

Britain’s derelict historic buildings into unique holiday lets Christmas with the Kiplings

Experience a traditional Edwardian

Christmas at Bateman’s, the former

home of author Rudyard Kipling

Wells city guideDiscover one of England’s great

cathedrals and the moated Bishop’s

Palace in this tiny Somerset city

Plus Essential Nottinghamshire | Great British inventions | John Wesley’s House | Ashmolean Broadway

England’s best viewsEnjoy a scenic tour of the country with our guide to

the finest views for every month of the year ahead

Bushcraft Show24 – 26 May Catton Hall

www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk

Visit the Bushcraft Show atCatton Hall and try yourhand at woodland crafts,firelighting, shelter building,tracking, foraging, woodlandgames. See the amazingMassai Warrior DanceTroupe from the Rift Valley,Kenya, and learn some ofthe Massai ways.

Enjoy a walk:Now and Then

AN EARTH MOVER WILLSOON BE ON SITE TOCREATE ‘NOW AND THEN’,A DEEP SPIRAL LANDFORM AT THE WOODLANDTRUST’S QUEENELIZABETH DIAMONDJUBILEE WOOD, NEARNORMANTON LE HEATH INTHE NATIONAL FOREST.

Landscape artist RosieLeventon has beencommissioned to produce a large-scale artwork for thenew woodland, the flagshipWoodland Trust site created to celebrate the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee.

Archaeologists have discoveredartefacts on the site showingcontinuous habitation from thevery start of farming in Neolithictimes through to Romano-British inhabitants in the 2ndcentury AD. Rosie’s design isinspired by a Bronze Age quern(a stone for grinding grain) thatwas found on the site.

The structure will measure 36metres across and will be fourmetres deep. Visitors will beable to walk down into the‘bowl’ and it is hoped theproductive native shrubsaround the edge will provideextra food for the resident bird populations.

>> [>> page 3 >> page 4

Catherine’s column

>> page 2

Leave a legacy to The National Forest and create a green and living memory.

See www.nationalforest.org/sponsor/legacy/

THE FOREST’S NEXTDECADE – A SPRING IN OUR STEP

As you read this, springwill be well and trulyunderway and bluebelltime, which I love, will behere. I hope you have achance to enjoy somewonderful days outside.For us, the opening of theNational Forest Way inMay as part of the

Walking Festival (see page 6) will be a really significantmilestone in the coming of age of the Forest. Sadly, I can’tbe at the opening but I’m hoping to walk the Way later inthe year, accompanied by my border terrier, of whom youhave heard before!

The opening – a very special event for us - follows thepleasure and satisfaction of receiving a strong message ofsupport from Government in the autumn, confirming thatit will continue to back the creation and care of TheNational Forest through the next decade. As well as ourcore funding from Government we are very fortunate tohave the support of businesses and individuals and thissupport base will only increase over the next ten years.Our renewed thanks to all our partners.

Our aim is to make the most of this green lung growingaround us. You may be able to help with suggestions offacilities, information or activities which would make iteven better for you. The team is always open to new ideasand now is the time to share them as we embark on thenext ten years.

If you’d rather focus on today, may it be one withwoodland, sky and the great outdoors. Enjoy this editionof Forest Scene.

Richard Ingram, Jaguar and The National Forest

Jaguar supported The National Forestin its early days and Jaguar LountWood is now thriving, including manywalnut trees which are part of anational research project.

Richard Ingram, who worked forJaguar, was a driving force behind thecompany’s involvement in the Forest.Sadly he died in 2013 but he left arequest for a further tree to be planted.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, met hisfamily. She said: “The photo shows Judy, Christopher and JonathanIngram at Staunton Harold, with the maple tree Richard bequeathed. Weare very grateful.”

Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations, Jaguar Land Rover, said:"Jaguar is pleased and proud to have had a colleague makingsuch a contribution to The National Forest."

Catch up on the National Forest blogWe call it ‘Woodland Edge’. The edge is one of themost interesting places in a woodland: “a dynamichabitat where wildlife, light, activity and diversity are the most prolific.”

Read our posts about woodland management,wassailing, and a visit to the Minorca mine; read a‘pooping blog’, read about halo thinning, or Calke’sGarden of the Imagination.

Spend a few minutes at the Woodland Edge via the National Forest website:www.nationalforest.org/newsroom/

]]

Protecting the treesPHS DIRECT STAFF WERE OUT WITH THEIR SAWS ANDHAMMERS BUILDING TREE CRATES TO PROTECT SEVERALLARGE PARKLAND TREES, AS THEY PUT THE FINISHINGTOUCHES TO CADBOROUGH HILL WOOD, AT OVERSEAL.

Over 150 employees,families, customers andsuppliers from PHSDirect have beeninvolved in events at thesite over the last fouryears, planting youngtrees with enthusiasm,including oak, silverbirch, wild cherry andsmall leaved lime, andsome coniferous trees –Douglas Fir and ScotsPine – to add variety and timber-producingpotential.

The new woodland is already a tranquil haven for visitors withspectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

[

Tunnel WoodsWALKERS, CYCLISTS AND HORSE RIDERS ALIKE HAVE BENEFITED FROM NEW AND IMPROVED TRAILSTHROUGH TUNNEL WOODS, NEAR CHURCH GRESLEY.

Thanks to Natural England’s Paths for Communities grantscheme and support from Lex Autolease, Tunnel Woods is now a gateway to the very heart of The National Forest.

From here you canexplore a wide areaof linked woodlandsand walk, cycle orride off-road toConkers DiscoveryCentre, YHA NationalForest and HicksLodge, the NationalForest Cycle Centre.

plantatree to remember a loved one. Many people find

comfort in planting a tree to remember and celebrate the life of a special person. [ ]You can become a Friend of The National Forest.Help us look after the woodlands, improve access to the Forest and provide inspiringenvironmental education projects for young people.

>>

WRITING THIS AS THE BLUEBELLS ARE OUT, IT SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE TO BETALKING ABOUT ACORNS, BUT DID YOU KNOW THE NATIONAL FOREST COMPANYRUNS A GROW A TREE FROM SEED SCHEME? YOU CAN GROW YOUR VERY OWN OAKTREE AND COME AND PLANT IT IN THE FOREST.

It’s easy! All you have to do is collect a few acorns in the autumn, plant them and watch them grow.

The Grow a Tree from Seed leaflet (available on the National Forest Company website) gives you all theinformation you need on how to nurture and look after your young saplings for the first couple of years.When they are strong enough (usually after two years they will be able to survive in the wild, but still besmall enough to transplant successfully) you will be invited to come along to a planting event in TheNational Forest to plant your tree(s).

Remember to send us your contact details, using the Seedling Pledge document(also available online), so that we know where to send the invitation.

Many people have already participated in the Grow a Tree from Seed scheme and have found the experience very rewarding and the planting events extremely enjoyable. It brings together families and people of all ages, who are interested in helping to grow The National Forest and look after the environment.

National Forest Wood Fair: ten years old“If you like trees,woodland and lovegorgeous things madeout of wood, this is theevent for you.”

Since 2004, the National ForestCompany has worked inpartnership with LeicestershireCounty Council to create a brilliantday out for the whole family, and achance for craftspeople and thosewho work in the timber andwoodland industries, to show theirwares and demonstrate their skills.

This year’s event will be held onBank Holiday Monday 25 August, 9am – 6 pm. Come and enjoy thelumberjack displays, chainsawcarvers and wood turning races;relax with live music, local ales andlocally-produced food. The children

can paddle a coracle, harness up and tackle the climbing wall,make lotions and potions and get creative with eco art.

Purchase your tickets in advance and save money. Buy online atwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.ukor from Ashby de la Zouch or Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Enjoy a family day out for £20! “Excellent fair, very

well organised and a beautiful setting.”

Catherine Graham-Harrison OBE, Chair, National Forest Company.

For more information visitwww.nationalforest.org/involved/seed.php or emailacorns@nationalforest.orgor tel: 01283 551211

We were part of a large, lovingfamily, having a lot of fun,helping to guarantee a futurefor generations to come.

We enjoyed the planting event very much. We named all our seven trees after theSeven Dwarfs!

““ “

“

“Always a greatday out, wouldn’twant to miss it.”

Sponsored by

This year sees the fifthStrawberry Fields Festival,held at Cattows Farm inLeicestershire. It takes itsname from the farm’s 25-year old ‘Pick Your Own’ soft fruit business and setsout its many stalls andstages one weekend eachAugust, amongst the farm’s 100 acres of National Forest planting.

In addition to well-known,established national andinternational acts, the festivalfeatures emerging and local talent.It aims to offer its audience a trulydiverse musical experience: fromfolk to reggae, punk to hip hop –even radical poetry.

As well as the music, festival-goerscan enjoy a touch of retail therapy,experience live art installationsfrom some of the UK’s best graffiti

artists, relax in the Healing zoneand enjoy the rides in the Fun Fair.

The Octopus’s Garden offerschildren’s sessions in Bollywooddancing, circus skills, street danceand storytelling - plus a giant sandpit. All proceeds from the ‘Kids fora Quid’ tickets will be donated bythe Festival to the NSPCC.

See more at:www.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

Help create TheNational Forest: grow a tree from seed

Skylark countryThe open ground beside the

A38, where the mainline railwaytrack runs, is a haven for birds.One of the surprises along the

National Forest Way.

Strawberry Fields forever

Discover Britainfeatured TheNational Forestrecently. As well as agreat storyabout theForest, ituses astunningset ofimagesby 2020VISION.If you are online, you cansee the feature via the link on the National Forest homepage www.nationalforest.org

slug

discoverbritainmag.com OCTOBER//NOVEMBER 2013 123

The National ForestWe see how things are progressing

with the project to create a natural

haven in the industrial MidlandsThe Vivat Trust Introducing the charity turning

Britain’s derelict historic buildings into unique holiday lets Christmas with the Kiplings

Experience a traditional Edwardian

Christmas at Bateman’s, the former

home of author Rudyard Kipling

Wells city guideDiscover one of England’s great

cathedrals and the moated Bishop’s

Palace in this tiny Somerset city

Plus Essential Nottinghamshire | Great British inventions | John Wesley’s House | Ashmolean Broadway

England’s best viewsEnjoy a scenic tour of the country with our guide to

the finest views for every month of the year ahead

ForestSceneSummer 2014

You can now find The National Forest onFacebook, and we tweet @NatForestCo www.nationalforest.org

>> page 5 >> page 6

Page 2Page 3 Page 3

Page 5

Page 6

Bushcraft ShowGrow A Tree Tenth Anniversary

Black To Green Walking the Way

Photographs courtesy of Maureen Cooper, Ruth Hill, Jacqui Rock, Martin Vaughan, Beth Walsh, Sinfonia Viva, Strawberry Fields Festival,The Woodland Trust, Woodstone Community Primary School, 2020VISION/Fergus Gill/Ben Hall/Ross Hoddinott.

The National Forest CompanyBath Yard, Moira, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6BAT: 01283 551211 E: enquiries@nationalforest.orgW: www.nationalforest.org

Large print version available Tel: 01283 551211

Burton upon Trent

Swadlincote

Ashby de la Zouch

Coalville

Derby

Birmingham Leicester

Nottingham

The new 75-mile long distancetrail uses existing public rights of way to explore the highlightsof The National Forest. Walk iteast to west, or west to east,between the National MemorialArboretum in Staffordshire andBeacon Hill Country Park inLeicestershire, the Way takesyou through rolling hills, ancientforest and plenty of newwoodlands. You will see ‘King Coal’ country, walk beside water and meander through meadows.

For an article in Walk magazine,Peter Wood of Greenwood Dayssaid: “People will find it morethan just a nice walk. Openyour eyes, look for clues inthe landform, and explore

the forest as a living,breathing thing.”

The National Forest Companyhas created the National ForestWay in partnership withDerbyshire, Leicestershire andStaffordshire County Councils,with the generous support of Fisher German and thevaluable contribution of local landowners.

Accessible for experienced andnew walkers alike, the NationalForest Way is accompanied byleaflets, online information andclear signage. With links into themain towns across The NationalForest it will provide a new andeasily reached outdoor challengefor all those who enjoy walking,exploring the countryside anddiscovering new places.

Find out more about the new trail atwww.nationalforestway.co.uk

>> See more on page 6

Scroll through the treesDon’t forget to let us know if you would prefer to read Forest Sceneonline. Email forestscene@nationalforest.org Thank you!

EventsMAY17-18 Moira Canal Festival 01530 515273

17-29 National Forest WalkingFestival 01283 222848

17-31 Ashby Arts Festival 01530 411767

24-25 Food Gusto Food & DrinkFestival, Ashby de la Zouch 01530 411337

24-26 The Bushcraft Show, Catton Hall 03334 567123

24-1 June Half Term Fun,CONKERS 01283 216633

29 The Tale of JemimaPuddleduck, Rosliston ForestryCentre 01283 563483

JUNE21 Heart of the Forest Festival, Measham 07443 651457

28 Armed Forces Day, National Memorial Arboretum01283 792333

28-29 South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure 01283 222848

JULY4-6 National Forest Folk Festival,CONKERS 01676 540219

13 Ashby Show 01283 229225

18-19 Burton Jazz Festival 01283 532880

19Wildlife Bioblitz Event,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

27-3 August Heather Scarecrow Festivalheatherscarecrow@gmail.com

AUGUST3World War I Day, Moira Furnace01283 224667

8-10 Strawberry Fields Festival,Cattows Farmwww.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

13 Family Bushcraft Evening,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

15-17 Moira Furnace Folk Festival 01530 272305

25 National Forest Wood Fair,Beacon Hill Country Parkwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

27 Junior Bushcraft Day, RoslistonForestry Centre 01283 563483

SEPTEMBER6 Last Night of The Proms,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

6-27 Melbourne Festival of theCreative and Performing Arts 07765 819428

OCTOBER4 Ride To The Wall, NationalMemorial Arboretum 01283 792333

10-1 Nov Screamfest, NationalForest Adventure Farm 01283 533933

The developmentyear of TheNational Forest’sBlack to Greenproject is wellunderway.CommunityEngagementOfficer, CarolineScothern, has

devised a full programme ofactivities designed to involvepeople from the localcommunities in the heart of TheNational Forest with thewoodlands where they live.

The activities include health walks, willow weaving, woodlandmanagement, moth trapping and bushcraft. Adults, childrenand families are all taking part.

Caroline said: “The Black toGreen project builds onfeedback we have alreadyreceived – people telling usthat they are keen for moreways and opportunities to getinvolved in the Forest. We’reusing this year to test out arange of activities and find outwhat interests people themost. We’ll then have ideas to

develop through Black toGreen in future years.”

If you would like to know more about Black to Green, email Caroline atblacktogreen@nationalforest.org

Black to Green

[

>> Story continues from front page

Our ForestFuturesGROWING UP IN THE NATIONALFOREST – WHAT CHANGES,CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT OFFER?

Young people from four schools in TheNational Forest worked and performedalongside professional musicians fromregional orchestra Sinfonia Viva, to lookat how living in The National Forest mayshape their lives.

More than 100students fromWoodstoneCommunity, WhitwickSt John the Baptistand All Saints primaryschools, as well asCastle Rock High

School, worked with renowned Vivacomposer Jack Ross and musiciansfrom Viva and Leicester-Shire Schools Music Services (LSMS), to compose music and songs for ‘Our Forest Futures’.

>> Story continues on page 5

New woodland management grantsupports work at Beacon Hill

As part of a pilot scheme testedover the winter, 23 grants wereoffered to landowners across theForest for them to carry outwoodland management activity intheir woodlands. LeicestershireCounty Council applied for fundingto cover two sites at the popularBeacon Hill Country Park.

The woodland at West BeaconFields was planted in 2000. Thetrees had been growing for 14years and the woodland was nowin need of a variety ofmanagement works. The CountyCouncil submitted a grantapplication to cover the removal of2.5 kilometres of redundant rabbitfencing, coppicing of hazel stools,formative pruning of oak and otherimportant species to improve theshape and growth of the trees andthinning of ride edges to widenand increase light to the tracks, as well as improve views into the woodland.

The second site is the Native TreeCollection, which encompassesthe 28 native trees of the BritishIsles as defined by the late AlanMitchell (renowned botanist andtree expert). This was planted in

1995 and includes several areas of hazel coppice. After 19 years,680 metres of redundant rabbitfencing have been removed overthe winter, tree guards which had served their valuable purposehave been cleared away, and two areas of hazel coppice havebeen brought into productiverotation again.

Nick Fell, Countryside ServicesManager with LeicestershireCounty Council, said: “Withoutgrant funding from the NationalForest Company these workswould not have progressedthis year. As a result of themanagement, both sites, whichattract over 100,000 visitors ayear, have been significantlyimproved for visitors, wildlifeand future timber value.”

The grant scheme will be re-opening for landowners in The National Forest this summer (2014).

For more information pleasecontact Charles Robinson,Woodland Management Officeron 01283 551211 or emailcerobinson@nationalforest.org

The National Forest Company has launched an innovative programmeto encourage effective woodland management throughout the 200square miles of The National Forest. As well as providing help andadvice, the programme includes a new grant scheme designedspecifically to support woodland management activity.

This month-long creative project began with a visit to CONKERSDiscovery Centre where the young people learnt bushcraft skills,explored the exhibition hall and walked barefoot across timber, bark,coal, wood and clay. Their responses to these Forest experiences werethe creative sparks for the songs and music they started to create.National Forest Community Liaison Officer, Sue Anderson, said: “Thisproject was a wonderful opportunity to work with young people andencourage them to think about how living with The National Forest islikely to change their lives and choices as they grow up. “They saw the Forest through fresh eyes and spent time thinking aboutopportunities for enjoying the great outdoors, learning new skills andconsidering new futures – whether it be forestry and woodland work orhospitality and tourism.“Using music in this way is a wonderful way to discover and sharewhat The National Forest is all about, inspiring a wider audience ofother young people, and all the families and friends who enjoyed the final performance.”

‘Our Forest Futures’

Ash treeprotectorLeicestershire-based artistMaureen Cooper explores theidea of ‘protection’ in TheNational Forest. Using thematerial that safeguardsnewly planted trees, this piecestands in an ash grove as atotem, a reminder of thecurrent vulnerability of treesagainst ash dieback.

More treesplantedNearly 100,000 trees wereplanted in The National Forestover the winter of 2013/14.

Catton Hall was the largest ofthree substantial ChangingLandscape Schemes createdthis planting season. As wellas planting thousands ofnative trees, a number ofponds have been created or restored, and standingdeadwood left in place,providing excellent habitat forinsects and fungi.

The National Forest Way is here!

>> ] The National Forest – transforming 200 square miles of central England

LAUNCH DATE IS 17TH MAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE NATIONALFOREST WALKING FESTIVAL. FROM MID-MAY ONWARDS, THENATIONAL FOREST WAY WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Enjoy the National Forest WalkingFestival 17 – 29 May

With over 70 walks to choosefrom, the Festival offers greatways to explore hidden parts ofThe National Forest. All walksare led by an experienced leaderwith local knowledge, soparticipants can find out whathas shaped and influenced thelandscape through which theyare walking.

The walks range from ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous’, in terms of terrain,length and the speed at which they might be walked. Most of thewalks are free and do not need to be booked.

See more at www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk

“Walking the National Forest Way, you are constantlysurprised by the variety of landscapes. It seems all Englandis here: coal and granite, heathland and hills, meadow andwater – all framed by woodland.” Volunteer route tester.

You can download route descriptions from the website(www.nationalforestway.co.uk) or pick up information at Ashby de la Zouch and Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Dip in for the day, walk for a weekend or cover the whole 75 miles in one go – it's up to you! Tweet us your pictures @NatForestCo #nationalforestway or share on Facebook The National Forest

www.nationalforestway.co.uk

SpringtimeVolunteers from CHEP, a National

Forest sponsor, planted hornbeam,walnut, and wild cherry this spring.

ForestSceneSummer 2014

You can now find The National Forest onFacebook, and we tweet @NatForestCo www.nationalforest.org

>> page 5 >> page 6

Page 2Page 3 Page 3

Page 5

Page 6

Bushcraft ShowGrow A Tree Tenth Anniversary

Black To Green Walking the Way

Photographs courtesy of Maureen Cooper, Ruth Hill, Jacqui Rock, Martin Vaughan, Beth Walsh, Sinfonia Viva, Strawberry Fields Festival,The Woodland Trust, Woodstone Community Primary School, 2020VISION/Fergus Gill/Ben Hall/Ross Hoddinott.

The National Forest CompanyBath Yard, Moira, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6BAT: 01283 551211 E: enquiries@nationalforest.orgW: www.nationalforest.org

Large print version available Tel: 01283 551211

Burton upon Trent

Swadlincote

Ashby de la Zouch

Coalville

Derby

Birmingham Leicester

Nottingham

The new 75-mile long distancetrail uses existing public rights of way to explore the highlightsof The National Forest. Walk iteast to west, or west to east,between the National MemorialArboretum in Staffordshire andBeacon Hill Country Park inLeicestershire, the Way takesyou through rolling hills, ancientforest and plenty of newwoodlands. You will see ‘King Coal’ country, walk beside water and meander through meadows.

For an article in Walk magazine,Peter Wood of Greenwood Dayssaid: “People will find it morethan just a nice walk. Openyour eyes, look for clues inthe landform, and explore

the forest as a living,breathing thing.”

The National Forest Companyhas created the National ForestWay in partnership withDerbyshire, Leicestershire andStaffordshire County Councils,with the generous support of Fisher German and thevaluable contribution of local landowners.

Accessible for experienced andnew walkers alike, the NationalForest Way is accompanied byleaflets, online information andclear signage. With links into themain towns across The NationalForest it will provide a new andeasily reached outdoor challengefor all those who enjoy walking,exploring the countryside anddiscovering new places.

Find out more about the new trail atwww.nationalforestway.co.uk

>> See more on page 6

Scroll through the treesDon’t forget to let us know if you would prefer to read Forest Sceneonline. Email forestscene@nationalforest.org Thank you!

EventsMAY17-18 Moira Canal Festival 01530 515273

17-29 National Forest WalkingFestival 01283 222848

17-31 Ashby Arts Festival 01530 411767

24-25 Food Gusto Food & DrinkFestival, Ashby de la Zouch 01530 411337

24-26 The Bushcraft Show, Catton Hall 03334 567123

24-1 June Half Term Fun,CONKERS 01283 216633

29 The Tale of JemimaPuddleduck, Rosliston ForestryCentre 01283 563483

JUNE21 Heart of the Forest Festival, Measham 07443 651457

28 Armed Forces Day, National Memorial Arboretum01283 792333

28-29 South Derbyshire Festival of Leisure 01283 222848

JULY4-6 National Forest Folk Festival,CONKERS 01676 540219

13 Ashby Show 01283 229225

18-19 Burton Jazz Festival 01283 532880

19Wildlife Bioblitz Event,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

27-3 August Heather Scarecrow Festivalheatherscarecrow@gmail.com

AUGUST3World War I Day, Moira Furnace01283 224667

8-10 Strawberry Fields Festival,Cattows Farmwww.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

13 Family Bushcraft Evening,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

15-17 Moira Furnace Folk Festival 01530 272305

25 National Forest Wood Fair,Beacon Hill Country Parkwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

27 Junior Bushcraft Day, RoslistonForestry Centre 01283 563483

SEPTEMBER6 Last Night of The Proms,Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483

6-27 Melbourne Festival of theCreative and Performing Arts 07765 819428

OCTOBER4 Ride To The Wall, NationalMemorial Arboretum 01283 792333

10-1 Nov Screamfest, NationalForest Adventure Farm 01283 533933

The developmentyear of TheNational Forest’sBlack to Greenproject is wellunderway.CommunityEngagementOfficer, CarolineScothern, has

devised a full programme ofactivities designed to involvepeople from the localcommunities in the heart of TheNational Forest with thewoodlands where they live.

The activities include health walks, willow weaving, woodlandmanagement, moth trapping and bushcraft. Adults, childrenand families are all taking part.

Caroline said: “The Black toGreen project builds onfeedback we have alreadyreceived – people telling usthat they are keen for moreways and opportunities to getinvolved in the Forest. We’reusing this year to test out arange of activities and find outwhat interests people themost. We’ll then have ideas to

develop through Black toGreen in future years.”

If you would like to know more about Black to Green, email Caroline atblacktogreen@nationalforest.org

Black to Green

[

>> Story continues from front page

Our ForestFuturesGROWING UP IN THE NATIONALFOREST – WHAT CHANGES,CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT OFFER?

Young people from four schools in TheNational Forest worked and performedalongside professional musicians fromregional orchestra Sinfonia Viva, to lookat how living in The National Forest mayshape their lives.

More than 100students fromWoodstoneCommunity, WhitwickSt John the Baptistand All Saints primaryschools, as well asCastle Rock High

School, worked with renowned Vivacomposer Jack Ross and musiciansfrom Viva and Leicester-Shire Schools Music Services (LSMS), to compose music and songs for ‘Our Forest Futures’.

>> Story continues on page 5

New woodland management grantsupports work at Beacon Hill

As part of a pilot scheme testedover the winter, 23 grants wereoffered to landowners across theForest for them to carry outwoodland management activity intheir woodlands. LeicestershireCounty Council applied for fundingto cover two sites at the popularBeacon Hill Country Park.

The woodland at West BeaconFields was planted in 2000. Thetrees had been growing for 14years and the woodland was nowin need of a variety ofmanagement works. The CountyCouncil submitted a grantapplication to cover the removal of2.5 kilometres of redundant rabbitfencing, coppicing of hazel stools,formative pruning of oak and otherimportant species to improve theshape and growth of the trees andthinning of ride edges to widenand increase light to the tracks, as well as improve views into the woodland.

The second site is the Native TreeCollection, which encompassesthe 28 native trees of the BritishIsles as defined by the late AlanMitchell (renowned botanist andtree expert). This was planted in

1995 and includes several areas of hazel coppice. After 19 years,680 metres of redundant rabbitfencing have been removed overthe winter, tree guards which had served their valuable purposehave been cleared away, and two areas of hazel coppice havebeen brought into productiverotation again.

Nick Fell, Countryside ServicesManager with LeicestershireCounty Council, said: “Withoutgrant funding from the NationalForest Company these workswould not have progressedthis year. As a result of themanagement, both sites, whichattract over 100,000 visitors ayear, have been significantlyimproved for visitors, wildlifeand future timber value.”

The grant scheme will be re-opening for landowners in The National Forest this summer (2014).

For more information pleasecontact Charles Robinson,Woodland Management Officeron 01283 551211 or emailcerobinson@nationalforest.org

The National Forest Company has launched an innovative programmeto encourage effective woodland management throughout the 200square miles of The National Forest. As well as providing help andadvice, the programme includes a new grant scheme designedspecifically to support woodland management activity.

This month-long creative project began with a visit to CONKERSDiscovery Centre where the young people learnt bushcraft skills,explored the exhibition hall and walked barefoot across timber, bark,coal, wood and clay. Their responses to these Forest experiences werethe creative sparks for the songs and music they started to create.National Forest Community Liaison Officer, Sue Anderson, said: “Thisproject was a wonderful opportunity to work with young people andencourage them to think about how living with The National Forest islikely to change their lives and choices as they grow up. “They saw the Forest through fresh eyes and spent time thinking aboutopportunities for enjoying the great outdoors, learning new skills andconsidering new futures – whether it be forestry and woodland work orhospitality and tourism.“Using music in this way is a wonderful way to discover and sharewhat The National Forest is all about, inspiring a wider audience ofother young people, and all the families and friends who enjoyed the final performance.”

‘Our Forest Futures’

Ash treeprotectorLeicestershire-based artistMaureen Cooper explores theidea of ‘protection’ in TheNational Forest. Using thematerial that safeguardsnewly planted trees, this piecestands in an ash grove as atotem, a reminder of thecurrent vulnerability of treesagainst ash dieback.

More treesplantedNearly 100,000 trees wereplanted in The National Forestover the winter of 2013/14.

Catton Hall was the largest ofthree substantial ChangingLandscape Schemes createdthis planting season. As wellas planting thousands ofnative trees, a number ofponds have been created or restored, and standingdeadwood left in place,providing excellent habitat forinsects and fungi.

The National Forest Way is here!

>> ] The National Forest – transforming 200 square miles of central England

LAUNCH DATE IS 17TH MAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE NATIONALFOREST WALKING FESTIVAL. FROM MID-MAY ONWARDS, THENATIONAL FOREST WAY WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

Enjoy the National Forest WalkingFestival 17 – 29 May

With over 70 walks to choosefrom, the Festival offers greatways to explore hidden parts ofThe National Forest. All walksare led by an experienced leaderwith local knowledge, soparticipants can find out whathas shaped and influenced thelandscape through which theyare walking.

The walks range from ‘easy’ to ‘strenuous’, in terms of terrain,length and the speed at which they might be walked. Most of thewalks are free and do not need to be booked.

See more at www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk

“Walking the National Forest Way, you are constantlysurprised by the variety of landscapes. It seems all Englandis here: coal and granite, heathland and hills, meadow andwater – all framed by woodland.” Volunteer route tester.

You can download route descriptions from the website(www.nationalforestway.co.uk) or pick up information at Ashby de la Zouch and Swadlincote Tourist Information Centres.

Dip in for the day, walk for a weekend or cover the whole 75 miles in one go – it's up to you! Tweet us your pictures @NatForestCo #nationalforestway or share on Facebook The National Forest

www.nationalforestway.co.uk

SpringtimeVolunteers from CHEP, a National

Forest sponsor, planted hornbeam,walnut, and wild cherry this spring.