Iconic sculpture for the National Forest

Work has started on a new sculpture at Rosliston Forestry Centre to form an iconic entrance into the vibrant visitor attraction. The structure will stand three metres high and create a tree shaped archway through a log pile frame.

The sculpture is part of a wider project taking place across The National Forest and funded by East Midlands Tourism (EMT) to install the innovative information points for visitors. These are designed to show visitors the huge variety of things to see and do across the 200 square mile Forest and highlight the connections between one part of the Forest and another.

Rosliston Forestry Centre was one of the first woodlands planted as part of The National Forest. The land changed from farm to forestry between 1994 and 1996 when 120,000 conifer and native broadleaf trees were planted. The logs to be used in the sculpture will be taken from the woodland at the site as part of the necessary thinning process that needs to take place. Panels will be designed within the sculpture to explain more on The National Forest and the history of the centre.

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company said: "This sculpted entry to Rosliston will be a dramatic addition to the Forestry Centre and is only being made thanks to the maturing of the woods - I am delighted we are using Rosliston timber to make something so beautiful and unusual. The design and the information on it will connect the visitor, Rosliston and The National Forest in a new and memorable way."

With EMT’s support, the National Forest Company is working with the tourism businesses and Leicester-based award winning tourism designers, Haley Sharpe, to install the information points which range from shelters, panels and benches, to listening posts and touchscreen kiosks.

Already new facilities have been installed at Conkers Discovery Centre, Twycross Zoo and Ashby de la Zouch Tourist Information Centre. Other sites included in the project are Beacon Hill Country Park, Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Sence Valley Forest Park, Snibston Discovery Museum, Foremark, Staunton Harold and Thornton Reservoirs and the National Forest Youth Hostel.

In addition to these attractions, information points will be installed within key laybys on access routes into the Forest and the service areas MOTO Donington Park (A42/M1) and Welcome Break Leicester Forest East (M1).

The work across all locations is due to be completed by March 2008. In the meantime, visitors can find more information on the huge choice of things to do and see in the Forest or places to stay for a brilliant weekend break by logging onto the website Nationalforest.org.

Rosliston Forestry Centre is run as a partnership between the Forestry Commission, the National Forest Company and South Derbyshire District Council.