Forest Scene summer 2015

This summer sees an excitingnew aerial experience openingat CONKERS.

The High Ropes course has 15aerial sections to complete, withclimbing nets and high levelwalkways, a 70 foot zip wire and 15 metre rapid descender.

The Low Ropes course is for younger visitors, to help build their confidence with tendifferent elements of adventurewhile safely harnessedthroughout.

High and Low Ropes Adventureopens at Conkers in the secondweek of July 2015, with aseparate charge for these newattractions within Conkers itself.

High ropes and lowropes: new attractionat CONKERS

ForestSceneSUMMER 2015

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

>> page 6 Photographs courtesy of Christopher Beech, Darren Cresswell, Natasha Hambly, Terry McGuire, Jacqui Rock, Beth Walsh.

The National Forest CompanyBath Yard, Moira, Swadlincote,

Derbyshire DE12 6BA

T: 01283 551211

E: [email protected]

W: www.nationalforest.org

Large print version available

Tel: 01283 551211

Burton upon Trent

Swadlincote

Ashby de la Zouch

Coalville

BirminghamLeicester

Nottingham

Nearly 400 silver birch, oak,

hornbeam, crab apple and

orchard trees, some standing

over two metres tall, have been

planted across urban spaces in

the Forest, gracing parks,

housing estates and allotments

from Newhall to Ashby and from

Measham to Ellistown.

The trees have been funded by

the National Forest Company’s

Programme Development Fund,

North West Leicestershire and

South Derbyshire district councils

and Ellistown parish council.

Community allotment and school

orchard trees have been

supported by National Forest

sponsor H K Wentworth.

Planted by groups of school

children, ‘friends of’ groups and

volunteers, the trees contribute

to the growing urban Forest,

bringing benefits to both those

who live nearby and the

surrounding environment. Trees

add beauty to the surroundings,

Montgomery Wood is a new 2.8 ha (6.9 acre)woodland in The NationalForest, created by localbusinessman ChrisMontgomery. Chris runs a landscaping businessbased in Burton and havingbought the land a few yearsago, decided to create thewoodland under theNational Forest ChangingLandscapes Scheme.Chris said: “I wanted to create awoodland that could provide fuelfor my family in the future whilstalso benefiting wildlife andproviding a place for people toenjoy the wonderful views of theriver and beyond. The ChangingLandscapes Scheme has helpedme achieve this.”

Montgomery Wood wasdesigned by Angus Hancock ofCameron Forest & Garden, oneof the National Forest Company’sagents, but was planted by Chrishimself. It lies between the A38and the River Trent opposite thehamlet of Wychnor and providesa link between adjacentwoodlands also created as partof The National Forest.

Montgomery Wood features anotter holt to provide a rest up areafor itinerant otters using the Trentalong with two raptor posts forbirds of prey. Chris has createdpermissive access across thewhole woodland in addition to thepublic footpath that runs

Sikh Eco Day falls on 14March each year and marksNew Year’s Day for the worldSikh community. It alsohonours the Seventh Masterof the Sikhs who was a greatenvironmentalist, healed thebirds, grew medicinal plantsand planted fruit-bearing trees.

The group representedDerby’s four Gurdwaras (Sikhtemples), and in all theyplanted 35 trees. Dr HardeepSingh, on behalf of the DerbySikh community, said:“Celebrating Sikh Eco Day,being kind to Mother Nature,and respecting and preservingthe wonderful creation on thisplanet, is a step towardsmaking this a better and moreharmonious world, both insideand outside.

“We had the idea to planttrees in The National Forestsome time ago, and we weredelighted to be able toattend this year’s event. Weall found the experiencereally wonderful and we

can honestly say that it leftus all with a warm glowinside. My 13 year old son is particularly keen to return soon to do somemore planting. “It was a brilliant day and we hope to turn this into aregular event for Derby’sSikh community.”

www.nationalforest.org/sponsor/plantatree

Many readers of Forest Scene will be familiarwith the National Forest Plant a Tree scheme,and this spring we were joined by members ofthe Sikh community in Derby who had chosento plant trees with us to celebrate Sikh Eco Day.

The National Forest – transforming 200 square miles of central England

CELEBRATIONSFOR SIKH ECO DAY

Urban trees

create shade, absorb water,clean the air and provide foodand shelter for wildlife.

Ron Jakeman, Group ManagingDirector of H K Wentworth,visited Central Road Allotmentsin Hugglescote, where a smallorchard of apple, pear, plum andcherry trees has been planted.He said: “We’re delighted to beable to support The NationalForest’s urban tree plantingprogramme. I was impressedby the enthusiasm anddedication of the Hugglescoteallotment volunteers who’vecreated a very special placefor local people to enjoy.”John Everitt, Chief Executive,NFC, said: “The National Forestdoes not stop at the edges ofour towns and villages, but canbe felt by everyone wherever theylive. This planting programmeshows how you can connect thecountryside to our urban spacesto bring trees to the heart of our communities.”

URBAN TREES ARE BRINGING THE FEELING OF THEFOREST TO HOUSING ESTATES AND ALLOTMENTS

WITHIN THE NATIONAL FOREST.

EventsMAY23 – 25 The Bushcraft Show,Beehive Farm,www.thebushcraftshow.co.uk

23 – 30 Ashby Arts Festival,www.ashbyartsfestival.co.uk

JUNE6 Bushcraft School, Calke Abbey,01332 863822

12 – 14 Download Festival, Castle Donington,www.downloadfestival.co.uk

20 – 21 The Vintage Years Festival,The National Brewery Centre,www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

26 – 28 National Forest FolkFestival, www.affc.demon.co.uk

27 – 28 Festival of Leisure,Swadlincote, 01283 222848

27 Armed Forces Day, National Memorial Arboretum,01283 792333

JULYJuly – September(selected dates) Maize Maze,National Forest Adventure Farm,www.adventurefarm.co.uk

11 – 6 September, The Garden ofthe Imagination and Calke Explore,Calke Abbey, 01332 863822

12 Ashby Show, Heather,www.ashbyshow.com

17 – 18 Jazz and Beer Festival, The National Brewery Centre,www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

27 Night World, Rosliston Forestry Centre, 01283 535039

AUGUST1 Plant Hunters’ Fair, NationalMemorial Arboretum,www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk/

7 – 9 Strawberry Fields Festival, Heather,www.strawberryfieldsfestival.co.uk

31 The National Forest Wood Fair,www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 12 Last Night of the Proms,Rosliston Forestry Centre, 01283 563483

15 Bat Walk Rosliston ForestryCentre, 01283 535039

19 – 20 Melbourne Festival,www.melbournefestival.co.uk

OCTOBER2 – 3 The Third Annual SIBA Beer Festival, The National Brewery Centre,www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk

3 Ride to the Wall, NationalMemorial Arboretum,www.ridetothewall.org.uk/

For more events seewww.nationalforest.org/visit

John Everitt: new chief at the helm“By the time you read this I will have completed my first 100 days as the new ChiefExecutive of the National Forest Company.

We have an ambitious strategy for the next ten years of the Forest, with more focusedforest creation, more forest management as we grow the woodland economy,development of the visitor destination to establish the Forest firmly on the tourist map, and closer engagement of communities to reap the many benefits the Forest can provide.

Sophie Churchill was always going to be a hard act to follow as Chief Executive, but I amlooking forward to working with you all as partners, supporters, funders or residents tocreate this impressive vision for the Forest.

We at the National Forest Company cannot do it alone, and over the coming weeks,months and years we hope to inspire you to support us in whatever way you can, to play your part in transforming this landscape for future generations.”

Montgomery Wood offers fantasticviews across the River Trent to St

Leonard’s parish church, Wychnor.

Black to Green – get involved….Black to Green’s activities will focus on heritage, people and habitats.The three year project will provide many opportunities for local people toget involved, including:

l wildlife identification and recording; l looking after the woodlands, grasslands and wetlands;l a community wood-fuel project; l a range of activities for young people and families;l a training programme for school teachers and community group leaders;

l the construction of a new bird hide and sand martin wall for a new bird watching group;

l activities celebrating the industrial heritage.Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust will be a key partner in the project, helping to assess and record the current picture of wildlife activity in the area.

A new mobile app, map andwebsite will help tell the story ofhow the landscape used to be,and help people visualise themines, brick yards and railways thathave now largely disappeared.

Black to Green will also help its localcommunities look after this part ofthe Forest well into the future.

14 year old Holly Forrester planted a tree “for the

environment. It is great to putsomething back,” she said.

t in th

alongside the Trent and provided

two new seats close to the river,

plus an information board giving

more details about the site.

Simon West, Head of Forestry at

the National Forest Company,

said: “The creation ofMontgomery Wood hasprovided a beautiful place for others to enjoy, bringingreal benefits to the wildlife inthe Forest, and a resource that will in time yield wood forfuel and other products. It’sgreat to see local businessmenlike Chris investing in theForest and creating a legacyfor the future.”

NEW WOODLAND TAKES ROOT IN WYCHNOR

} Go aheadfor Blackto Green The National Forest Company and its partners in the Heart of the Forest Forum have beenawarded £770,000 from theHeritage Lottery Fund for theinnovative Black to Green project.

Black to Green will conserve and enhance the

Heart of the Forest, a ten square mile area

centred on Moira, Donisthorpe and Ashby

Woulds, the most radically transformed

landscape within the 200 square miles of

The National Forest.

Lying at the heart of the former Midlands

Coalfield, woodland cover in this area has

increased from 1% to 27% over the last 20

years. It is an exceptional story of rapid change

from 19th century deep coal and open cast

mining, to a 21st century attractive and

sustainable landscape led by the creation of

Following last year’s development stage and its

programme of walks, woodland management,

nature conservation work and woodland

crafts, and extensive consultation with local

communities and local landowners, the

project can now expand into a full three

year programme.

Alan Leather, Development Manager for

Black to Green, said: “Black to Green will

help people learn about, enjoy and take part

in this extraordinary story of landscape change

at the Heart of the Forest. We are delighted

HLF has chosen to support the project.”

“We are looking forwardto the Black to Green

Project starting. The carers and their

families will really enjoyopportunities to getmore engaged in theForest and they can’twait to get involved.”

Lyn Blackman, Chairperson

Swadlincote Special Needs Circle

>> page 5

>> See page 5 for how you can get involved.

plantatree

Enjoying the new orchard at Hugglescote Allotments. From left, Kathy and Derek Wardle,Hugglescote Allotment volunteers; Julie Summerton, Community Focus Officer, North WestLeicestershire District Council; John Everitt, Chief Executive, National Forest Company; RonJakeman, Group Managing Director, H K Wentworth; Karen Harrison, Marketing Manager, H KWentworth; Lynne Richards, Head of Fundraising, NFC.

Letterbox or Inbox?Don’t forget to let us know if you would prefer to read Forest Sceneonline. Email [email protected] Thank you!

>> Continued from front page

[>> page 3 >> page 4

Catherine’s column

Leave a legacy to The National Forest and create a green

and living memory. See www.nationalforest.org/sponsor/legacy/

Twenty - twentySpring finally arrived, as we celebratedthe achievement of 20% forest coverthroughout the 200 square miles of TheNational Forest, and the National ForestCompany’s 20th birthday.We had said our fond and grateful farewellsto Sophie Churchill before Christmas andwelcomed John Everitt as the new ChiefExecutive in January. He quickly settled inand picked up where Sophie had left off.

It was a somewhat quiet birthday because in 2016 we will becelebrating the first quarter century of The National Forest itself andthat we plan to do in some style - more details to come later.

To mark our two decades and as part of the build up to the first 25years of the Forest we were pleased to welcome Lord Heseltine backto the Forest (see picture). He planted one of the first trees in theForest in 1991 and planted another young oak on this return visit toWillesley Wood. On a whistle-stop tour of the Forest, he sawwoodland management works at Grangewood, the substantial newtree planting at Netherseal and discussed the economics ofwoodland management with Andrew Kirkland, one of our earlysupporters. He paid tribute to the Forest as a visionary project thatcaptured the imagination of so many members of the communitywho have supported it. He added: “I’ll be back in another quartercentury to have another look!”

There are other things to celebrate too after a busy start to the yearfor John and the NFC team. We are delighted to share the goodnews that we have been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of£770,000 for the Black to Green project and we have also completedthe purchase of Hanging Hill Farm in the heart of the Forest. Thisgives us an important missing piece of the land jigsaw and alsobuildings with potential for development for the benefit of everyonein The National Forest.

These are great milestones for us and, at the same time, we continueto plant trees with more landowners coming forward for ourChanging Landscapes Scheme; with the support of one of our localsponsors, PHS Direct, enabling local schoolchildren to plant trees;and over 1,000 people joining us for our Plant a Tree events. Over thelast year, Plant a Tree was supported by people from every county inEngland, as well as from Wales and Scotland: we can truly say wehave become The National Forest!

Owners of trees planted more than 15 years ago, supported by us,have also started to undertake serious woodland management work:clearing woodland rides, thinning and coppicing and clearing out oldtree tubes.

Ever more people are also getting out and about in the Forest in theirleisure time. Having walked part of the National Forest Way, I canheartedly recommend it and plan to complete it later in the year.What better time of year to get out than over the coming months andwhat better way to get to know the Forest than on your feet.

Whatever your preferred leisure activity, enjoy the summer and theautumn in the ever more wonderful National Forest.

You can become a Friend of The National Forest.Help us look after the woodlands, improve access to the Forest and provide inspiring

environmental education projects for young people.>> >>

The National ForestCompany’s WoodlandManagement Programmecontinues to providesupport and advice towoodland owners withinThe National Forest. As part of this programme aWoodland ManagementGrant (WMG) is offered tohelp actively manage these young sites.The WMG was offered to 37applicants from across the Forestlast year, covering all aspects ofwoodland management includingride edge thinning and coppicing,

Communitywood fuel

Presented as it was lived in during the

1950s, it is the first National Trust house to

open in Leicestershire. Designed and built

in 1898-99 by Leicester-born designer-

architect Ernest Gimson, as the summer

residence for his brother Sydney’s family,

the cottage almost appears to grow out of

the Charnwood landscape. Visitors can

wander through four acres of beautiful

gardens, full of heathers and seasonal

flowers, and venture into parts of the 11

acres of SSSI woodlands, purchased by

the National Trust with the help of the

National Forest Company.

Visitors must pre-book in advance.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneywell or call 01530 248040

pond restoration, grey squirrelcontrol, removal of redundantrabbit fencing and installation ofbird, bat and owl boxes. Thegrant re-opened on 1 April 2015for new applications.

WrENRESEARCH

The National Forest Company is a partner in a national researchproject to investigate what makeswoodlands function well as part of aresilient, wildlife-friendly landscape.

WrEN (Woodland creation andEcological Networks) is acollaborative project led by theUniversity of Stirling, ForestResearch and Natural England, tolook at how changes in land useover time impact on wildlife andecological networks, usingwoodland as an example habitat.

The National Forest is perfect forthis study, an ideal example oflowland English woodland, much ofit created relatively recently on landformerly used for agriculture,mineral extraction and other uses.

Sam Lattaway, Head of Landscape,Biodiversity and Recreation for theNFC, said: “As part of this nationalstudy, The National Forest will helpdetermine what makes woodlandsenrich a wider landscape, lookingat the small mammals, birds,invertebrates and plant life that livehere. The information gathered willdemonstrate not only what makesa woodland work as a wildlifehabitat, but also, on a wider scale,how woodlands interact with eachother to allow plants and animals tomove between them and indeed,across a whole varied landscape.

“The findings of the WrENresearch will advance thethinking on woodland creationand management for the benefit of healthy wildlife,resilient ecosystems and diverse landscapes.”

]] [ ]

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

The National Forest Way has been open for awhole year and walkers – and runners – have beentelling us what they think of the new 75-mile trail.

Walk the Way

Local blogger Hazel McDowell saidthere were so many highlights alongthe Way it was hard to choose: the lushgreen oasis of Dimminsdale woods,crossing the river plain betweenBranston and Walton on Trent “brimfulof butterflies, bees and wildflowers”, or the magnificent Battlestead Hill.

Fisher German has supported thecreation of the National Forest Way andthe staff were eager to get to know thetrail first-hand. Andrew Bridge, thecompany’s Chief Operating Officer,said: “The National Forest Way allows

you to experience the diversity of the countryside and ecology on yourdoorstep. As a business Fisher German walked the Way as twogroups, one starting at the National Memorial Arboretum and the otherstarting at Beacon Hill, in July 2014. Blessed with beautiful weather thewalk provided a fantastic opportunity for colleagues in the business tocatch up and build friendships that will lastfor years to come. We all have memoriesof the natural beauty that exists aroundevery twist and turn of the Way.”

National Forest Wood FairTICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE NATIONAL FORESTWOOD FAIR ON BANKHOLIDAy MONDAy 31AuGuST. Buy IN ADVANCE AND SAVE MONEy!

Join us for a brilliant day out for all thefamily – there’ll be lumberjacks,chainsaw carving, horse loggingdemonstrations, pole lathe turning andgreenwood crafts. Children will love thetree climbing and the coracle pool, theeco-art and the stories and songs from theWild Man of the Woods. Enjoy woodcraft masterclasses, delicious locally-sourced food and drink, and listen to live music during this great day out for everyone who loves trees, timber and woodland.

See more atwww.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

Stoneywell, the National Trust’s exquisite Arts andCrafts cottage in The National Forest, is now open.

Grangewood is a 40 hectareTender Scheme winner from1997. The trees have beengrowing for 18 years and havereached the stage of first thinning. This is where up to 30% of the trees are removed to reduce competition and allowthe remainder to capitalise on the extra light and nutrients tocontinue their successfuldevelopment.

Grangewood’s WMG applicationincluded thinning ride edges toimprove access and to give thetrees the space they need tocontinue to grow, pruning trees to facilitate access and promotegood quality timber and theremoval of redundant tree guards,which had now served theirpurpose and looked untidy in the woodland.

The owner decided to investfurther in these woodlandoperations and thin the remainderof the compartment (not just thefirst 6m covered by the grantscheme). This has meant that 5 ha of young woodland has nowbeen thinned within this attractivewoodland. The timber was sold to a local firewood contractor (just five miles away), with some of the brash (branches) going toTwycross Zoo to satisfy thebrowsing needs of the giraffesand elephants.

For more information on theWoodland ManagementProgramme and the WMG please contact Charles Robinson,Woodland Management Officer at:[email protected] call 01283 551211

He told Forest Scene: “I’vewatched the development of TheNational Forest from the verybeginnings. At one stage it mayhave been nearer us inWarwickshire, but when this areawas chosen that was fine too. It’sa thrilling thing to do, to plant aforest using the old brownfieldsites and on the old pits andopen cast mines. We needed alarge lung in the Midlands.”

Terry’s lost count of the numberof trees his family have grownfrom seed and planted in theForest, but at the most recentevent they planted 14 oaks, twobeech and one rowan. Over theyears they have planted oak,ash, walnut, holly, hazel, fieldmaple, rowan and beech trees.

Leicestershire County Council’s Sarah’s Wood hasbeen a hive of activity over thewinter. As well as generalwoodland management work, a pilot Community Wood FuelGroup has been set up. As part of the trial scheme, themembers have enjoyedthinning the woodland withhand tools and then wererewarded for their hard graftwith a boot full of logs at theend of each day. Supported by training and expertise from woodlandprofessionals, the group is made upof local people who have a varietyof interests and backgrounds.

A recent survey of the group

revealed that although initial

motivations had been to gather

firewood for their own use,

members’ interests also

extended to wildlife conservation

and woodland management.

Local resident Tracey Erving took

part in the project. She said: “It

was a great experience. I really

enjoyed the sessions and look

forward to being able to volunteer

Forest Scene summer 2015

Documents

Transcript of Forest Scene summer 2015