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| Westonbirt Trees Lit For Christmas
Ref: 10912 FORESTRY COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: 5 September 2008
Enchanted Christmas every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 28 November to 21 December Christmas is coming, and at Westonbirt Arboretum the massive trees are getting decked out with thousands of festive lights. On Friday, Saturday and Sundays evenings from 28 November to 21 December, rekindle the Christmas spirit on a magical stroll along the famous illuminated trail. For the first time this year, this mile-long trail has a sparkling ‘four seasons’ theme – enter through the glowing colours of Autumn, move into an icy winter wonderland and emerge into a kaleidoscope of spring and summer colours. Crowds will gather from 4pm on Friday 28 November to watch as Father Christmas turns on the lights for the first time. Then on every night of ‘Enchanted Christmas’ he’ll be greeting visitors of all ages as they indulge in some festive fun and soak up the atmosphere. Wrap up warm and toast your hands on roasted chestnuts, sing carols with the local choirs and sip a little mulled wine. As a special treat, Maples restaurant will be dishing up an evening Christmas carvery – booking essential on 01666 880558. Full of good cheer, there’s also time to visit the Forest Shop, full of fantastic and unusual gifts and Xmas decorations. Sustainably sourced Christmas trees will be on sale at Westonbirt’s specialist Plant Centre from 1 December, between 10am and 5pm. And during the month of January, when it’s time for the decorations to come down, trees can be brought back to the Plant Centre car park for recycling. Enchanted Christmas is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season… Enchanted Christmas The thousands of lights on this brilliant mile-long trail are eco-friendly. Astral Design, the experts behind the extravaganza, are using bio-diesel fuels and state-of-the-art energy-efficient lighting units. Simon Hough, Westonbirt Arboretum’s Events Manager said: “Christmas is a very special time at Westonbirt, and people come from far and wide to see the wonderful trees in a new light. It’s a unique and magical way to welcome in the season.” Westonbirt Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission. It is open all year round, and is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north east of Junction 18 of the M4, and south-east of junction 13 of the M5. - ENDS For further information, please contact Gail McKenzie, Communications Officer, Westonbirt The National Arboretum, on 01666 881 207 NOTES TO EDITORS 1. Image of Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas attached. Please credit: Westonbirt Arboretum/Graham Light. 2. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum is managed by the Forestry Commission and renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of the woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone. It covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape. Visitor numbers are 350,000 a year, with a membership of over 21,000. 3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out among some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain. 4. Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established, alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1875. Today, Westonbirt is in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples. 5. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting |  |
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