WESTONBIRT RAISES THE ROOF

Join Westonbirt – The National Arboretum for a week of barn raising this September. From 1-6 September, 35 hearty souls are picking up traditional hand tools and constructing a medieval-style oak barn deep within the Forestry Commission’s ancient Silk Wood at Westonbirt. This 5-metre tall, sustainable Silk Wood Barn will be raised on the sixth day – echoing barn building of the past, but with the modern-day aid of a crane.

The course is lead by timber framer Henry Russell, of BBC ‘What Did The Romans Do For Us’ fame. Alongside Henry and a team of experienced tutors, course participants work towards raising and joining the frames on the final day.

All the oak has been harvested from the surrounding Westonbirt woodland as part of an on-going programme of woodland restoration. There’s also the chance to camp on site and take guided walks through the 600-acre Forestry Commission arboretum.

Three thousand shingles for the barn roof are being individually made from sweet chestnut and oak, and will be nailed on to larch batons. Some shingles will be made and individually signed by the public at Westonbirt’s Festival of the Tree (18-25 August).

Silk Wood Barn will stand on Westonbirt’s Native Tree Trail and become an important centre for greenwood skills and traditional crafts in the coming years.

Simon Toomer, Curator at Westonbirt Arboretum, said:

“Silk Wood Barn will be a stunning natural building, perfectly at home in the ancient woodland at Westonbirt Arboretum. Here, we can not only train people in valuable woodland skills but also demonstrate the growing importance of managing our woodlands and so conserving their amazing biodiversity.”

1. 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 22,000.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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 and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk