Spring 2010
Introduction
The aim of this monthly newsletter is to keep you informed about the latest developments at Bedgebury, as well as our plans and aspirations for the future.
If you have any queries about any of the items, please click on bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Anything underlined links through to further information on this or other websites.
Environment
Climate Change
As part of its work relating to climate change, the Forestry Commission has recently produced a ten-minute documentary on its work relating to climate change. The film, entitled The World Is Hot Enough, has a 007 theme.
If you'd like a copy of the DVD, please email bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk with Climate Change Film in the title.
Environmental Management System
As part of the Forestry Commission's commitment to meeting the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and achieving ISO 140001, Bedgebury is undertaking a local environmental review using the EMS checklist.
The Green Tourism Business Scheme, an environmental accreditation scheme for tourism businesses, has awarded Bedgebury a 'Good Silver Grading' - in recognition of our efforts to make the site both environmentally and user Friendly. This award ties in with the Forestry Commission's Greenerways corporate sustainability policy, embracing recycling, traffic management and use of sustainable fuels.
Conservation
Looking after the world's finest conifer collection is a skilled, demanding and expensive job and also an extremely interesting and rewarding one. The National Pinetum team is headed by curator Chris Reynolds, plant hunter and propagator Dan Luscombe and their small but dedicated band of arboriculturalists.
For news on their recent seed-collecting trips, conservation projects, current tree work and seasonal highlights please visit Tree News and Dan's Blog.
Community
Bedgebury offers a variety of opportunities for people to improve their health, fitness and quality of life. With over 250,000 visitors each year (increased from 50,000 since the launch of the recreation project in spring 2005) this has helped to boost the local economy by attracting more visitors and secondary spend into the area. Furthermore, Bedgebury has created more than 40 new full and part time jobs.
Charities such as Demelza House, Marie Curie Cancer Care and the British Heart Foundation all hold successful annual fund-raising events at Bedgebury.
Over 4000 schoolchildren visit Bedgebury each year on school trips.
As part of our drive to make Bedgebury accessible to as many people as possible, we are currently working closely with the RNIB to improve facilities for visually impaired visitors. Alongside this, Bedgebury's Green Gym sessions and Health Walks on Friday mornings help more than 100 participants recovering from illness or injury to regain fitness.
Quench Cycles, the Bedgebury bike shop, has a range of adapted cycles and a Tramper all-terrain mobility vehicle available for hire to allow disabled people the chance to enjoy the wonderful cycle trails around the forest.
Our Concessions Scheme has resulted in over 20,000 free visits to Bedgebury during the last 12 months. Bedgebury has won awards for its work with the Community Service and also hosts regular practical activity sessions TA Challenger Troop (for more than 100 excluded schoolchildren each year).
Cycle coaching for kids and disabled
We have just welcomed Ollie Ireland as our new Cycle Development Coach, on a one year FTC, jointly funded by Bedgebury, Kent Sport Leisure and Olympics (part of Kent County Council), KCC/Tunbridge Wells Learning Disability Partnership, Gary Scott of Frontier Ltd, Sport England, British Cycling, Sussex Sports Development. He will work closely with Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club and bike franchise Quench Cycles to take our cycling offer up to the next level of excellence.
Recreation
Special events at Bedgebury
Bedgebury Concerts - Tickets for local heroes Keane (Friday 11th June) are now sold out. Still a few tickets left for pop legends Simply Red (Saturday 12th June).
Bedgebury Forest Cycle Club now has over 200 members and organises special events, coaching sessions and improvements to the forest's cycle network and facilities.
Bedgebury's Archery sessions run by Level 2 Coach Steve Walker (formerly of Kent Sports Development Unit) have proved popular on Bedgebury's Events Arena outside the Walled Garden during the summer months. All equipment is supplied and all ages and abilities catered for from 6 upwards - care homes & day services are particularly welcome. All equipment is supplied.
After the success of Alice Through The Looking Glass last summer, the Quantum Theatre company will be staging two performances of Great Expectations in Bedgebury's Walled Garden on Tuesday 17th August.
Business
Awards
Bedgebury has recently won two major tourism awards. At the Tourism South East Awards, we received the Tourism Excellence Award for Sports Tourism. We also won a Tourism and Leisure Award at the West Kent Business Awards and a Highly Commended at the KoS Media Business Challenge.
Admission 
Entry to Bedgebury is free. However, we do need to generate income by charging for car parking, which is reinvested in managing and improving Bedgebury's tree collection and recreation facilities. From spring 2010 car parking prices will rise by a modest fifty pence to £8. Our annual season ticket (through membership of the Friends of Bedgebury) will remain at £50 - less than £1 a week.
In order to offer the best possible value, we have introduced a Half Price Wednesday scheme in the winter months and a £4 after 5pm offer for summertime (we stay open till 8pm in summer).
Visitor Numbers
Due to the bad weather, our visitor numbers were down in November and December, which has made a negative impact on our revenue. However, if we can attract a similar number of visitors as in the first three months of 2009, we should meet our income targets for the financial year.
Planning
We are constantly looking to improve our facilities for visitors, as well as making improvements to the tree collection.
Sarah Hayward has recently joined as our new Planning & Development Manager, to oversee the next phase in Bedgebury's organic development. Sarah is working with local planners, stakeholders and consultants to manage the evolution of Bedgebury's future infrastructure, which will include improvements to the main car park and a new Propagation Unit.
The Planning Inspectorate has accepted for consideration Bedgebury's appeal against the recent planning decision made by TWBC regarding our overflow car park. We will have to wait a few months for the final decision, but it means that we can utilise this area in the meantime - though we plan to keep this to a minimum.
The Friends of Bedgebury have secured a substantial contribution from Dulverton Trust towards the funding of a new Propagation Unit.
