A historic and innovative Forest Enterprise Wales exhibition, the Story of the Forest, which brings the past to life with first-hand accounts from people who witnessed the changing face of the Welsh countryside during the past century, was officially welcomed to The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth today (Monday 20th January).
The Story of the Forest project, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is an important collection of taped interviews and old photographs which capture the memories of those whose lives were changed forever as the Forestry Commission’s programme of afforestation dramatically altered the rural landscape of Wales.
Under the guidance of Project Manager, Dr Caroline Earwood, six community co-ordinators across Wales have gathered information and anecdotes over the past six months that have been recorded onto CDs.
Tom Jones, Community Co-ordinator for the Twyi Forest area, Ceredigion, said, “The project has been an enjoyable way of using the nation’s forests and woodlands as local resources and bringing communities together.
“The exhibition will lead to a greater understanding and enjoyment of the fascinating heritage of Welsh forests and indeed their place in our culture. Awakening people's memories and love of local woodlands has been very worthwhile and satisfying.”
On other fronts, the exhibition shows how much local history, archaeology and folklore have been preserved by the involvement of local people during the stages of forest management.
The Story of the Forest exhibition was opened by Minister for Rural Development Mike German in November and since then has been touring communities across Wales. It will feature at The National Library for the next three weeks before moving to Machynlleth library on 10 February.
Upon completion, the project will be archived at The National Library permanently for future generations. Copies will also be deposited at the Museum of Welsh Life in St Fagans and in all the communities which contributed to the project. Comprising of over 300 old photographs and 65 interviews with people from their 60s up to 99 years old, it will provide a fascinating lasting insight into a time when the Forestry Commission began planting the new forests of Wales.
Fascinating tales from the past include:
Evolution: the discovery of how ground-nesting merlins had adapted to the increase in trees in the Tywi Forest by building their nests way up on high branches.
A forest shepherd who was once employed in the Tywi Forest to protect newly-planted trees from wandering sheep. Snowdrifts on the mountains would often result in sheep wandering over fences and consuming the fragile saplings. The shepherd's role was to herd the sheep out of the plantations and ensure they were returned to their rightful owners - the sort of delicate task only a trusted local with years of experience could undertake.
The work on the Story of the Forest in the six communities is still in progress and will be completed in April. However, FE Wales has applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund for continued support to extend the project for another four years to cover the remaining rural forests managed by FE Wales.
Heritage Lottery Fund Grants Officer, Elān Plenty, said, “The Story of the Forest is a particularly innovative project, bringing together members of the local community - both young and old - to create a permanent record of what it was really like to live through the 20th Century afforestation of Wales.
“It was great to see this exhibition come together and we’re delighted that, by going on a tour of Welsh communities, so many people have been able to enjoy it.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry policy and looks after the 320,000 acres (130,000ha) of public forests owned by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Forest Enterprise Wales is an agency of the Forestry Commission in Wales, which manages the nation’s woodlands on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
** FREE, HIGH-RES OLD PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE. Contact Lucie Graham, FBA, on 01970 636407 or email lucie@fbagroup.co.uk **
For more information on The Story of the Forest, contact Dr Caroline Earwood on 01691 671808, or Kath McNulty on 01970 890500. Further information on the exhibition can also be obtained from the Forestry Commission website - www.forestry.gov.uk
Media enquiries to Forestry Commission Information Officers for Wales, Clive Davies or Marian Gray, on 01970 625866, mobile 07788 190922 or 07787 757982.