Be a wise Owl and head to the National Forest Wood Fair

A fine display of owls will join the array of attractions at this year’s National Forest Wood Fair, to be held at Beacon Hill Country Park, on Bank Holiday Monday August 27.

Owls are thriving in the growing woodlands across the 200 square miles of The National Forest and the Wood Fair is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about what is happening in the Forest.

Top attractions at this year’s Fair include the Potions Club, with the chance to buy the brand new Potions Club Recipe Collection and sample herbal syrups and nettle scones; the Wild Man of the Woods, with his entertaining songs and stories of the woods and the countryside; and magnificent Clydesdale heavy horses, hauling logs from the woodland.

Over 60 demonstrators and exhibitors are expected at this year’s Fair, with many hands-on activities for visitors to try. Scaling the tree tops is just for starters: either by means of supervised tree climbing, complete with safety harness and hard hat, or by taking the easier route on a tree surgery lift platform, rising 15 metres high into the air.

Chainsaw sculptors will turn lumps of wood into impressive works of art; willow weavers will work their magic and create baskets, natural forms and abstract pieces of willow sculpture. Visitors can admire the concentration and skill of pole lathe turning, as a finely wrought chair or table leg is produced before their eyes.

Much of the machinery used in the modern forestry industry will be on display at the Fair: chainsaws, log splitters, mobile saws. See raw timber converted into useable planks, logs and wood chips.

Garden furniture and decorative items, toys, fine furniture and other beautifully crafted pieces will be for sale on the day, and visitors to the Wood Fair can enjoy locally-sourced food and drink, whilst admiring the lovely setting of Beacon Hill Country Park.

Hugh Williams of the National Forest Company (NFC), said: “The Wood Fair is an excellent day out and a fantastic way for people to see how The National Forest is growing, meet some of the people who earn their living here and learn about the work they do.”

He continued: “Managing woodlands is an essential part of forestry, and involves planting, thinning (periodically removing weaker trees to ensure the healthier trees continue to thrive), felling and replanting trees in a constantly renewed, sustainable cycle. The result is a healthy and diverse woodland that can be enjoyed by present and future generations. Already more than seven million trees have been planted in The National Forest and these new woodlands will be nurtured and managed so that they prosper well in the future.”

The Wood Fair is organised by the National Forest Company and Leicestershire County Council. The Wood Fair will run from 10am - 5pm and guarantees a great Bank Holiday Monday. Admission charges include car parking and a programme and will cost adults £6, concessions £4 and a family ticket £14 (for two adults and two children).

Beacon Hill Country Park lies within the ancient Forest of Charnwood and is close to the attractive village of Woodhouse Eaves, just five minutes drive from Junctions 22 or 23 of the M1. The Country Park, owned and managed by Leicestershire County Council, with its craggy summit and panoramic views, is just one of the many visitor attractions across the three counties that make up The National Forest.

For further information visit Nationalforest.org.