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28 JULY 2008 NEWS RELEASE No: 10824

WESTONBIRT BRIGHTENS THOSE DARKER DAYS

Westonbirt brightens those darker days

    Don't worry about the nights drawing in this autumn and winter. Westonbirt ­Arboretum will be bathed in light and colour! Autumn and winter are magical seasons at the Forestry Commission’s national arboretum with blazing red maples, fascinating fungal forays and the hugely popular, illuminated ‘Enchanted Christmas’ trail.

    Keep warm and shed any seasonal blues on the Westonbirt autumn and winter trails meeting trees in all their sparkling glory. Simply pick up a trail leaflet at the Great Oak Hall on arrival.

    What’s on at Westonbirt this autumn and winter…

    OCTOBER

    Thursday 2 ­ Sunday 12 October (not Monday 6 October)
    Japanese Paper exhibition
    Japanese paper, its origin and construction.
    Great Oak Hall, 10am – 4pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Saturday 4 October
    Seed Gathering Family event
    As part of the Tree Council’s Seed Gathering campaign, head out into the arboretum and learn about trees and their seeds through activities and games. Collect and plant your own tree seed to take away.
    10.30am – 4pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Saturday 4 October
    Autumn Fruits and Berries Walk
    Discover seeds of all shapes and sizes, and experience Westonbirt’s wonderful autumn colour.
    11.30am. Book essential. Tel: 01666 880220
    Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Monday 6 – Saturday 11 October
    Make a Windsor Chair 6-day workshop
    With pole lathe and traditional hand tools craft a Windsor chair from green, sustainable wood.
    £250. Booking essential: 01373 836 051/07793 823093.

    Sunday 12 October
    Westonbirt Wood Sale
    Specialist sale of Westonbirt wood from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees within the Collection. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt. 10am –1pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Saturday 18 October
    The Other Arboretum Guided walk
    Uncover the hidden secrets of Silk Wood – Westonbirt’s ‘other arboretum’. Discover Westonbirt’s oldest inhabitant and ancient roots.
    Booking essential. Tel: 01666 880220
    Free on admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Saturday 25 October
    Fungi at Westonbirt Arboretum Walks
    Join Dave Shorten from the Cotswold Fungus Group to explore Westonbirt’s remarkable fungi.
    10.30 - 12.30 and 2 - 4pm. Booking essential. Tel: 01666 880220
    £4.00 adults after admission. Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Monday 27 – Thursday 30 October
    Autumnal Highlights Family trail
    Discover why trees change colour, and witness the Westonbirt autumn spectacle. Do your own tree-inspired art.
    10.30 – 4.30pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Tuesday 28 October
    Digital Photography for Beginners Workshop
    On location in the Arboretum, using your imagination and creative skills to improve composition. Assessing images and managing them on computer.
    £40. (includes arboretum admission). Booking essential: Tel 01285 653069.

    Wednesday 29 October
    Digital Photography Workshop
    An intermediate course looking at settings, composition and lighting. On location in the arboretum (weather permitting).
    £50 (includes arboretum admission). Booking essential: Tel 01285 653069.


    NOVEMBER

    Sunday 2 November
    Cancer Research Charity Walk
    5k and 10k run. For further details tel. 0791 864 1994.

    Wednesday 5 November – Sunday 9 November
    Art Exhibition by Gail Lautieri
    Great Oak Hall, 10am – 4pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Sunday 9 November
    Westonbirt Wood Sale
    Specialist sale of Westonbirt wood from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt.
    10am –1pm. Free on admission.
    Admission to arboretum: adult £8, conc. £7, child £2.

    Friday 21 November
    Willow Structures for your Garden – Workshop
    Weave willow structures for your garden.
    10.30am to 3.30pm
    £45. Booking essential: 01453 751010

    DECEMBER

    Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 28 Nov – 21 December
    Enchanted Christmas – Illuminated trail
    Enjoy an enchanted night-time stroll through Westonbirt's grand old trees on the illuminated Christmas trail. This year the trail journeys through the four seasons - starting with the glowing colours of Autumn, moving into 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. A great event for all ages, especially families.
    5-8.30pm (last entry 7.15pm)
    Admission to illuminated trail: adult £7, conc. £6, child £3.

    Saturday 6 December
    Christmas Decorations ­ Walk and workshop
    Take a festive walk and learn the history behind Christmas traditions, then make your own decorations.
    11am – 4pm. Booking essential: 01666 880220. Free after parking.
    Car parking £5 per car.

    Sunday 14 December
    Westonbirt Wood Sale
    Specialist sale of Westonbirt wood from the routine pruning and thinning of specimen trees. Proceeds to the Friends of Westonbirt.
    10am –1pm. Free after parking. Car parking £5 per car.

    For further information about Westonbirt Arboretum and its events:
    Tel: 01666 880220 (9am-5pm), visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or email
    westonbirt /forestry.gov.uk

    Westonbirt is open all year round from 9am-5pm. See individual events for admission prices for the Arboretum. Annual membership is also available.

    Westonbirt Arboretum 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 in Autumn and Winter attached – including Enchanted Christmas. Please credit: Forestry Commission.

    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 and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk

e-mail: gail.mckenzie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk