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Events Calendar 2008
 


Last updated 12 September 2008 
Westonbirt – The National Arboretum
Telephone: 01666 881220
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt


SEPTEMBER

Saturday 6 September
MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT Charity Walk 
10k walk round the Arboretum starting at 6pm. Further details from Catherine North on 01285 655880 or C.North@macmillan.org.uk

Sunday  14 September
WOOD SALES

Specialist wood sales held on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm. All manner of wood and sawn timber is available, produced from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees within the arboretum. Proceeds go to the Friends of Westonbirt and so cash or cheques are only acceptable. Admission prices. Adults £7 Conc. £6 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Monday 15 September – Saturday 20 September
MAKE A WINDSOR CHAIR Workshop

6 day chair-making course
Use a pole lathe and traditional hand tools to craft a Windsor chair from green (sustainable) wood. Bring a packed lunch. Tea & coffee provided. Wear sensible outdoor clothing and stout shoes or boots.
Cost: £250
For details and to book:
Contact: Paul Hayden  01373 836 051 or 07793 823093

Friday 19 September
RAINBOW WALK - HOPE FOR TOMORROW Charity Walk
5k walk starting at 5pm. Contact Tracey Lodge or Christine Mills on 01666 505055 or e mail info@hopefortomorrow.org.uk for further details.

Saturday 20 September
THE FUNGI AT WESTONBIRT AND THEIR TREES walk
Join Dave Shorten, from the Cotswold Fungus Group to explore Westonbirt’s remarkable diversity of fungi and discover the hidden roles they play in supporting our trees. Meet in the Education Centre.10.30 - 12.30 and 2 - 4pm.. £4.00 per adult  after admission. Admission prices. Adults £7 Conc. £6 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Sunday 21 September
ALZHEIMERS WALK Charity Walk
1 to 2 mile walk. 2pm start. Contact Mrs Sarah Thomson on 01249 443469 or e mail alznwilts@lineone.net further details.  

Wednesday 24 September
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Workshop
Aimed primarily at the beginner or those wishing to move up a gear. We will look at digital issues, your camera and the relevance of the controls and settings to your final image. Together, time will be spent out on location in the Arboretum where you will be encouraged to use your imagination and creative skills to improve your composition. We will then assess the images and consider ways of managing them on the computer. This course will be both a learning experience and an enjoyable day in this great location. Limited spaces. Cost: £40. (Includes Arboretum admission) For more details and to book contact: Graham Light: 01285 653069.

Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September
GREEN WOODWORK WEEKEND
Hands-on 2-day course, teaching traditional woodworking skills, using a froe, axe, drawknife, shave horse and a pole lathe.
Wear suitable clothing for outside activity, stout shoes or walking boots.
Bring a packed lunch.
9.30am – 5pm
Location: Craft Shelter (Silk Wood)
Cost: £95 (to include materials unless advanced projects undertaken in which an additional charge will apply)
For details and to book:
Contact: Paul Hodgson  01453 753 452 Mobile: 0781 7878 737
or email:paul@greenmanworkshop.co.uk

Tuesday 30 September
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Workshop
Aimed primarily at the beginner or those wishing to move up a gear. We will look at digital issues, your camera and the relevance of the controls and settings to your final image. Together, time will be spent out on location in the Arboretum where you will be encouraged to use your imagination and creative skills to improve your composition. We will then assess the images and consider ways of managing them on the computer. This course will be both a learning experience and an enjoyable day in this great location. Limited spaces. Cost: £40. (Includes Arboretum admission) For more details and to book contact: Graham Light: 01285 653069.


OCTOBER
Thursday 2 – Sunday 12 October (Closed all day Monday 6 October)
“RIANBOW DANCING” JAPANESE PAPER  Exhibition
Elaine Cooper studied traditional paper making in Japan for 10 years and this exhibition features a selection of paintings, original prints and etchings, handmade papers, paper sculptures and other innovative work. Koi is revered by the Japanese for their elegance, symbolism and harmonious relationship with nature and man. Their colours, movement and life force form the main theme of “Rainbow Dancing”.  In the GOH from 10am – 4pm.

Saturday 4 October
SEED GATHERING Family Event
As part of the Tree Council’s Seed Gathering season campaign we will be heading out into the arboretum to learn about trees and their seeds through activities and games. Collect and plant your own tree seed and take away. 10.30 – 4pm. Free after admission. Admission prices. Adults £8, Conc. £7, Child £2. Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Saturday 4 October
AUTUMN FRUITS AND BERRIES Walk
Join Val Cushing and discover  the reasons behind the many shapes and sizes of seed packages and see Westonbirt’s wonderful autumn colour. Walk starts at 11.30am. Free after admission. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc. £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt


Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October and every following weekend in October
AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT – WILD BIRDS AT WESTONBIRT Family Event
Spot some of Westonbirt’s many wild birds close-up in the Education centre’s Bird Feeding Station. Friendly RSPB staff will be on hand to answer all your bird-related questions. 11am – 4pm. Free after admission. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc. £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October
MAKE A WINDSOR CHAIR Workshop
6 day chair-making course
Use a pole lathe and traditional hand tools to craft a Windsor chair from green (sustainable) wood. Bring a packed lunch. Tea & coffee provided. Wear sensible outdoor clothing and stout shoes or boots.
Cost: £250
For details and to book:
Contact: Paul Hayden  01373 836 051 or 07793 823093


Sunday  12 October
WOOD SALES
Specialist wood sales held on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm. All manner of wood and sawn timber is available, produced from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees within the Collection. Proceeds go to the Friends of Westonbirt and so cash or cheques are only acceptable. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc. £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Tuesday 14 October – Sunday 19 October

COTSWOLD EDGE ART EXHIBITION AND SALE

Four artists, working in stained glass (David Laycock), textiles (Anne Weldon & Di Wells), wood sculptures, print & watercolour (Grahame Tucker). Their love of the natural environment and landscape provides a mixture of traditional & contemporary styles. Further information from Di Wells on 01684 299911. In GOH from 10am – 4pm.

Saturday 18 October
THE OTHER ARBORETUM Guided Walk
This special walk sets out to uncover the hidden secrets and intriguing stories of Silk Wood – Westonbirt’s “other arboretum”. Join us to discover Westonbirt’s oldest inhabitant, spectacular seasonal highlights and its ancient roots. This walk does not follow hard paths and thus sensible footwear is vital. Free after admission. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Wednesday 22 October – Sunday 26 October

"THE SEASONS" ART EXHIBITION AND SALE

Westonbirt is a source of inspiration for the artists of the Malmesbury Arts Society and "The Seasons" gives plenty of scope, from bluebells of spring to the acers of autumn. In GOH from 10am – 4pm. Details to follow. For further details call 01666 822935

Saturday 25 October
THE FUNGI AT WESTONBIRT AND THEIR TREES Walk

Join Dave Shorten, from the Cotswold Fungus Group to explore Westonbirt’s remarkable diversity of fungi and discover the hidden roles they play in supporting our trees. Meet in the Education Centre.10.30 - 12.30 and 2 - 4pm.. £4.00 per adult  after admission. Admission prices. Adults £7 Conc. £6 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October

A WEEKEND IN THE WOODS Workshop

In the new Silk Wood barn, make a round-wood chair, carve spoons or construct cleft-wood gates. There’s also the chance to learn basic bush-craft and tracking skills. Booking essential. Tel: 01453 873145 or email:

brian.hurdles@virgin.net.

Monday 27 – Thursday 30 October
AUTUMNAL HIGHLIGHTS  Family Event

Join our special family trail to discover why our trees change colour and witness the spectacular Westonbirt trees first hand. Then have a go at your own tree inspired art. There will be a different art activity each day – so why not come more than once. 10.30 – 4.30pm. Free after admission. Adults £8, Conc. £7, Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt


Tuesday 28 October
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Workshop


Aimed primarily at the beginner or those wishing to move up a gear. We will look at digital issues, your camera and the relevance of the controls and settings to your final image. Together, time will be spent out on location in the Arboretum where you will be encouraged to use your imagination and creative skills to improve your composition. We will then assess the images and consider ways of managing them on the computer. This course will be both a learning experience and an enjoyable day in this great location. Limited spaces. Cost: £40. (Includes Arboretum admission) For more details and to book contact: Graham Light: 01285 653069.

Wednesday 29 October
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Workshop


A more advanced course for those with a good basic understanding. We will look at many things including how to move from the 'programme' mode of your camera to take greater control of the settings, as well as composition and lighting, filters etc.
Time will be spent out in the Arboretum (weather permitting), with as much individual attention as possible. Limited spaces. Cost: £50. (includes  Arboretum admission)
For more details and to book contact: Graham Light: 01285 653069.
__________________________________________________________________


NOVEMBER

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November and every following weekend in November

AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT – WILD BIRDS AT WESTONBIRT Family Event

Spot some of Westonbirt’s many wild birds close-up in the Education centre’s Bird Feeding Station. Friendly RSPB staff will be on hand to answer all your bird-related questions. 11am – 4pm. Free after admission. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc. £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Sunday 2 November
CANCER RESEARCH Charity Walk - Cancelled


5k and 10k run. Contact Alexis Bailey on 0791 864 1994 for further details.

Wednesday 5 November – Sunday 9 November
ART EXHIBITION AND SALE


Art Exhibition by Gail Lautieri. With Westonbirt and garden lovers in mind, Gail will be selling paintings, prints and products with a floral or horticultural base. Perfect for early Christmas presents, much of Gail’s work takes its inspiration for Westonbirt and her garden. Paintings, cushions, jewellery, garden gifts – a colourful detour to your visit. More information on www.ranaarts.co.uk. I in GOH from 10am – 4pm.

Sunday  9 November
WOOD SALES


Specialist wood sales held on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm. All manner of wood and sawn timber is available, produced from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees within the Collection. Proceeds go to the Friends of Westonbirt and so cash or cheques are only acceptable. Admission prices. Adults £8 Conc. £7 Child £2. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Friday 21 November
WILLOW CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS – Workshop
10.30am to 3.30pm

Put away the tinsel and fairy lights and spend an enjoyable day making your own hearts, wreaths, stars, wands, trees, cornucopias and mince pie platters. Price for the course including materials is £45. To book contact Norah Kennedy on 01453 751010


DECEMBER

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening 28 Nov – 21 December
5 – 8.30pm (last entry 7.15pm)
ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS


Enjoy an enchanted night-time stroll through Westonbirt's grand old trees on the illuminated Christmas trail. This year the trail will journey through the four seasons - starting with the glowing colours of Autumn, moving into an icy winter and emerging into a kaleidoscope of spring and summer colours. Throughout the 12 evenings you can also meet Father Christmas and have some festive fun - carols from local choirs, roast chestnuts and mulled wine, and a gift shop selling fantastic and unusual gifts and decorations. Now in its 12th year, this event draws in over 30,000 people a year. A great event for all ages, especially families. Admission prices: adult £7, conc. £6, child £3. 
Telephone: 01666 880220. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt 


Saturday 6 December
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Workshop


Come and hear what a Yule log was before it became a chocolate cake and learn the history behind many other Christmas traditions during our festive walk, then have a go making your own decorations. 11 – 4pm. Free after admission. Pay and Display Car Parking only at £5 per car. . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
 
Sunday 14 December
WOOD SALES


Specialist wood sales held on the second Sunday of every month from 10am to 1pm. All manner of wood and sawn timber is available, produced from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees within the arboretum. Proceeds go to the Friends of Westonbirt and so cash or cheques are only acceptable. Pay and Display Car parking only at £5 per car . Telephone: 01666 880220. www/forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

General Enquiries Mon – Fri (9am – 5pm) Tel: 01666 880220
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt email:westonbirt@forestry.gov.uk



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