Talking trees at the National Forest Wood Fair

Top tree experts are poised to entertain visitors in the new Talks Tent at the National Forest Wood Fair, to be held on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Want to know about which trees to choose and how to care for them? Keith Sacre of Barcham Trees will discuss issues of tree production and selection and Mick Boddy of Symbiosis Consulting will reveal how to manage mature trees.

Peter Gamble of Loughborough Naturalists’ Club will bring the woodlands of Charnwood Forest to life and Peter Williams, Head of Environmental Management with Leicestershire County Council, will take listeners on a tour of Leicestershire’s country parks.

Rounding off the programme, Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, will give a presentation on The National Forest. She said: “We hope that visitors will enjoy the range of topics presented in the new Talks Tent at the Wood Fair, and that they will take full advantage of the chance to ask the experts about particular tree-based questions or problems.

“As with the Wood Fair itself, it gives us the opportunity to put the story of The National Forest in context as an increasingly popular place in which people live and work. The Forest is about the trees and new habitats for wildlife, but also so much more: despite the recession, it is quietly providing new work opportunities and will do so more as the trees mature, alongside woodfuel and lovely wood products. We know that many of its residents and visitors want to know more about ‘where next’ for this place full of hidden gems; the Wood Fair talk will be a great way to have their questions answered.”

The National Forest Wood Fair is held in one of the most spectacular locations in the whole of the 200 square miles of the Forest, beneath the granite outcrops of Beacon Hill in Charnwood, near Loughborough.

The whole day will be packed with live demonstrations of woodworking skills and craft displays, with hands-on activities for adults and children. There will be stories and songs from the Wild Man of the Woods, archery, birds of prey and a brilliant climbing wall. The Wood Fair Food Area will be packed with delicious locally-sourced food and drink and a farmers market.

This fantastic family event is organised by the National Forest Company and Leicestershire County Council. It will run from 10am – 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Admission charges include car parking and a programme and will cost adults £6, concessions £4 and a family ticket £14 (for two adults and three 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 of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire that make up The National Forest.

See nationalforest.org www.leics.gov.uk/woodfair for more information.