Forestry Commission - News - make your mark at westonbirt arboretum’s festival of the tree

Carving initials into tree trunks is not usually encouraged, but visitors to Westonbirt National Arboretum’s Festival of the Tree in August will be able to leave their mark on a special wood sculpture.

The sculpture will be carved to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Forestry Commission’s management of the famous arboretum.

This annual summer event has grown over the past 12 years into a week-long celebration of wood craft, with the internationally renowned Sculptree giant wood-carving event at its centre (21-28 August). Last year it attracted more than 30,000 people and international media interest.

It’s chainsaws, axes and chisels at the ready as a dozen specialist sculptors set about transforming whole tree trunks into amazing works of art. The chosen artists have been picked from entries from across the world to carve all sorts of designs, including a family of wild boar, an Arabian stallion and a preying mantis, as well as more abstract conceptual pieces.

Dave Johnson, who carved last year’s festival’s centrepiece, Nelson’s Oak, has been commissioned to create an anniversary sculpture for the arboretum. Under his supervision, visitors can have a go at wood carving and will be able to add their name to this special piece that will go on display at the arboretum.

The week-long Sculptree event reaches an exciting finale on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28, as all the pieces are auctioned off, with a share of the proceeds going to Tree Aid, a Bristol-based charity that supports agricultural communities in Africa.

The festival has many other elements for all ages to enjoy. There’s a craft show called Exhibi-tree (25-28 August) featuring more than150 exhibitors, traders and demonstrators making and selling everything to do with trees. From bonsai to some special feathered friends from Owl Rescue, the Exhibitree marquee is a world of wood wonder.

Family Tree (21-28 August) offers a packed agenda of craft activities that everyone can try. There’s a daily changing programme on offer – make a dream catcher, create a tree frame for your favourite photo, or magic up a wand. This arena also has traditional wooden rides for the kids to enjoy.

And in collaboration with the Woodland Trust, William Woodworm will once again lead families on an interactive trail through the arboretum to discover all sorts of useful trees and a mystery tree.

Purple Broccoli Theatre will stage outdoor performances of their brand-new fun and environmentally aware play about insects from Thursday 24th – Monday 28th August (subject to funding).

Kellie Lovett, marketing manager, says:

“This is a very special year for Westonbirt because we are celebrating 50 years of Forestry Commission management. Our annual summer festival continues to grow in size, variety and popularity. It provides a fantastic day out, with acres of beautiful forest to explore and some great events which are unique to Westonbirt.”

Westonbirt is open all year between 10am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. The normal cost of admission for adults is �5 - �7.50, children �1, with group and concession rates also available. It is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 Tetbury to Bath Road, and 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the Arboretum on 01666 880220.

Westonbirt 2006 – The National Arboretum anniversary year.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

2006 celebrates 50 years of Forestry Commission management at Westonbirt - The National Arboretum. Visitor numbers are almost 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 19,000.
Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains more than 17,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 242 hectares (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 Listed Landscape.
Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often 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 Holford’s' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with more than 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 1870.
Forestry Commission England is part of the Forestry Commission, and serves as the Government’s forestry department for England.

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