Forestry Commission - News - escape to the country

An ex-law student who found himself in chains is one of the star turns at this year’s Kielder Forest Festival on Sunday 7 August!

Rob Roy Collins, 27, from Newcastle, turned his back on a legal career to become a globe-trotting escapologist and street performer, thrilling crowds with his skill at slipping yards of tightly bound padlocked chains wrapped around his torso.

Now he brings his repertoire of tricks, also including acrobatics and a fire show, to the forest extravaganza, based at 18^th Kielder Castle in the heart of Europe’s biggest man-made wood

“There’s no trickery to my escapology, but it’s all a case of manipulating muscles to break free,” said Rob, from Forest Hall, who recently picked up second prize at an international busking festival in Ireland. “I taught myself basic street skills and learnt the rest from other performers after finishing a law degree and spending a year working in an office. It’s allowed me to travel the world to places like Japan and earn a pretty good living. Kielder will be another new sticker for my suitcase.”

Elsewhere at the festival, organised by the Forestry Commission, two-wheeled virtuosity will be displayed by the Seven Stanes Mountain Bike Team and youngsters can ape Chris Bonnington by scaling a climbing wall. There’ll be crafts aplenty including wood carving, bodging, charcoal making, chainsaw sculpture, horse logging, willow and coppice crafts, stick dressing and dry stone walling. And Roman re-enactors will set-up camp along the Empire’s old frontier and there’ll even be chance to perfect your fly-casting techniques!

Ranger Sarah Walker said:

“Last year’s festival was brilliant, so we’ve got fingers crossed for another bumper turnout. We’ve lined-up a fantastic array of crafts, entertainment and music, with plenty of opportunities to find out more about the forest’s wildlife. You can even try Indian head massage as part of Kielder's Active Woods health campaign.”

The festival runs from 10.30am to 5pm and entry is Ł4 adults, Ł2 concessions, with a family ticket costing Ł10 (two adults and three children). To set the scene a ceilidh will take place in Kielder community centre on Saturday 6 August from 8pm to midnight (cost Ł3 and Ł2, pay on the door). More information on 01434 250209.

NOTE TO EDITOR
The Kielder Bus (No 714) will operate a festival service from Gateshead Metro Interchange (depart 10.35am, Stand N) calling at Newcastle station (10.40am), Haymarket (10.50am, Stand T), Ponteland main street (11.07am), Otterburn (11.40am) and Bellingham (11.55am). The return journey departs from Kielder at 4.30pm.

For more on the Forestry Commission visit www.foresty.gov.uk

Media calls to Richard Darn on 01226 246351, or 0775 367 0038.