HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, on 30th January on a joint official visit that marks the start of the anniversary year for the National Arboretum and the end of the centenary celebrations for Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland.

Their Royal Highnesses will plant a tree to commemorate the opening of the new Rotary Glade of maples before joining a private reception where The Duchess will meet the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum group, for whom she has recently become a Patron.

In 2005 South Cotswold Rotarians marked the centenary of Rotary by spearheading a plan to create a Rotary Glade of maples in the arboretum’s Silk Wood.

Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple Collection, with over 250 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.

“The Rotary Glade is a significant expansion of our already world-famous maple collection. The Rotary Club's contribution will help us achieve our goal of having the best maple collection in the world,” says Simon Toomer, Curator at The National Arboretum.

One hundred trees, a large proportion of the new collection, were donated by Rotary Clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland as a lasting and colourful celebration of the first 100 years of Rotary.

Meanwhile the Duchess of Cornwall has become a patron of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum for five years, and Stephen Segar, Chairman of the Friends, said:

“The arboretum has an exciting future ahead with its development plans, and it will be of great honour to have the Duchess's patronage in taking this forward.”

The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum are a registered charity, established in 1985 to support the arboretum. There are now almost 19,000 members, with more than 250 volunteers actively participating on site. In 2006 the Friends celebrate their 21st anniversary.

Originally the pleasure gardens of the Holfords, a wealthy Victorian family, the 600-acre arboretum at Westonbirt was handed over to the Forestry Commission in 1956.

Since then a huge amount has been achieved to develop the collection and improve public access to Britain’s greatest arboretum, which is registered as a Grade 1 landscape of outstanding historic importance by English Heritage.

Today the arboretum has some of the rarest trees in the world. In combination with the National Conifer Collection at Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent, it holds the prestigious title of National Arboreta.

2006 marks the celebration of 50 years of Forestry Commission management. The mission “to connect people with trees to improve the quality of life” continues through a comprehensive and exciting event and educational programme.

Westonbirt is open all year between 10am and 8pm, or dusk if earlier. From January to March 2006 admission for adults costs £5, children £1, and concessions £4. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt or call the Arboretum on 01666 881220.

Notes to Editors:

1. 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.
2. Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains about 17,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world’s temperate climate zone, and 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 Listed Landscape.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt’s renowned autumn colour can be traced back to Sir George’s plantings of Japanese maples from 1875, some 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 amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple Collection, with over 250 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.
5. Rotary International, founded in 1905, is a worldwide organisation of business and professional people who are pledged to serve the community, locally, nationally and globally, promoting high ethical standards in all areas of working life, and working for peace and goodwill worldwide. The Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds, chartered in 1967, is one of 1845 Rotary Clubs in Great Britain & Ireland, and draws its 30 members from the Tetbury and Malmesbury areas. For information on Rotary contact Judith Diment on 01628 672965 or 07860 162313 or email Judith@thediments.co.uk

NEWS MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

For enquiries about the royal visit, contact Charlton Clark, Forestry Commission press office, 0131 314 6500.

For enquiries about Westonbirt’s attractions and programme of events, contact CSPR on 0870 442 0600 or email charlotte@cspr.uk.com