WINTER EVENTS AT BEDGEBURY
The Forestry Commission’s Bedgebury Pinetum, famous for its international conifer collection, is open all year round and provides a unique setting for winter events.
November is one of the best times to come and see conifers. The haw frosts cling spectacularly to the many tinges of blue, green and yellow conifer foliage. The winter stems and bark textures on display at this time of year also provide interesting contrasts for the horticulturalist and a source of inspiration to the garden designer.
On 10th November there is an event titled Champion Trees where visitors can learn about the tallest, oldest, biggest and widest trees in the world together with the record breakers at Bedgebury. The event takes place between 2 and 4pm and costs £5 for adults, £3 for children and is suitable for everyone over 7 years of age.
The dormouse boxes at Bedgebury provide an opportunity to visit and learn about forest and woodland wildlife. Dormouse licensee and Education Officer at Bedgebury, Michaela Brown, will check the boxes for young dormice on 23rd November. The event is free but a donation would be welcome for further research.
Endangered Trees are the focus on 24th November when Assistant Curator Dan Luscombe will take walkers on a tour to discover rare and endangered trees from around the world growing at Bedgebury Pinetum. The event will be start at 1.30 and last for two hours and costs £5 for adults, £4 for Senior Citizens. Friends of Bedgebury can attend for free.
Coughs, colds and conifers are on the agenda for 30th November when Curator Colin Morgan leads a tour between 1.30 and 3.30pm to learn about the ancient ways the native Americans used conifers for medicinal purposes. There will also be a chance to try spruce tea, which is reputed to be a good hangover cure as it contains large doses of vitamin C.
The cost is £5 for adults, £4 for senior citizens and the Friends of Bedgebury can attend for free.
All events can be booked by sending an e-mail from the website www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk by visiting the events page or by calling the Pinetum shop on 01580 211781.
All money raised will go towards the £3 million fundraising project to provide Bedgebury with new education and research facilities. Details are on the website.
Press enquiries or photo requests to Caroline Edmunds on 01892 616647.
For more information on the Forestry Commission and its recreation events or activities visit the website www.forestry.gov.uk or to find out more about ‘The Friends of Bedgebury’ visit www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
Editors Notes:
Bedgebury Pinetum was started in 1925. This marvellous collection has developed into the "most comprehensively complete" collection of conifers on one site in the world, with 300 acres containing over 6000 specimen trees. These trees represent coniferous species throughout the temperate world in all their variety of size, shape and colour.
Besides containing many of the oldest and largest examples in Britain, the collection includes rare, endangered and historically important trees.
Originally designed by William Dallimore, a notable botanist for Kew, the Pinetum enjoys historic links with Gardens both at Kew and Wakehurst.
Bedgebury boasts the tallest tree in Kent, which is aptly named ‘The Old Man of Kent’.
Bedgebury is currently raising funds to complete a £3 million development programme to build a new visitor centre, lake and education centre. The Heritage Lottery Commission has donated £1 million towards the project and the Charity ‘The Friends of Bedgebury’ will be helping to raise the remainder.
It costs just £18 for an individual membership to the Friends of Bedgebury or £30 for a family membership.
e-mail: elspeth.hill@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |