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Beacon Hill Wood Fair

Posted on 27/08/07
P. Klein

Celebrating its third birthday today (27th August 2007) the Forest Wood Fair at Beacon Hill saw large numbers of people attending to see the various exhibits that were all woodland related. Fortunately it was on a day that was (unseasonably ?) bright and sunny. Each year the numbers visiting the fair have increased at this year was no exception.

The Wood Fair is promoted through Leicestershire County Council, The National Forest Company and the Woodland Economy Business Support Project.

Amongst the exhibitors and displays were a variety of wood burning stoves, chainsaw sculptures (which you could see being made), pole lathe turning, coracles, timber haulage, basketry, rustic furniture, willow sculptures, charcoal burning, carpentry, sawmilling, chair bodging(!) and long bow making. There were also several birds of prey on display, and the opportunity for people to bravely allow there hands to be used as a perch (thick leather glove supplied). For the younger members there was also story telling by a green man or tree climbing. For those that found all that rather exhausting a large number of food and drink stalls also provided refreshments.

The range of demonstrators and exhibitors at the Wood Fair hopefully demonstrated to the public the range of products that can be produced from our own managed woodlands and the number of livelihoods that are directly related to forestry. One of the reasons the organisers arranged such an event is to hopefully promote the demand for wood products and increase the understanding of the diverse range that is available. This hopefully will help woodland businesses to grow and woodlands to be managed sustainably.

Representing the County Council was Mike Jones and his wife Marj from Loughborough (pictured).

A selection of pictures of the days events can be seen in our Loughborough Photograph Album

Further Information:

Leicestershire County Council own and manage a number of woodlands and country parkis in and outside the National Forest, including Beacon Hill " the location of the Wood Fair.

The National Forest Company (NFC) is responsible for implementing The National Forest. It does so in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. The NFC owns very little land and the majority of woodlands created in the Forest are planted and managed by private landowners (mostly farmers). The NFC is sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The Woodland Business Support Project (WEBS) offers business support and advice to woodland based businesses in the Leicestershire and Derbyshire areas of The National Forest. WEBS is funded by EMDA (the East Midlands Development Agency) and is operated in partnership by the LCC NFC, Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Leicestershire Economic Partnership and the Forestry Commission. WEBS has part funded the Wood Fair.

Our National Forest is an area that covers parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The Forest stretches from the western outskirts of Leicester (the nearby village of Woodhouse Eaves is on the boundary of the Forest) to the rolling hills of Needwood in Staffordshire. The aim of the Forest is to create, through working partnerships and with community participation, a new 200 square mile multipurpose forest area for the nation in the heart of England.

To date, over 7 million trees have been planted in The National Forest. Woodland cover now stands at nearly 18% (it was 6% in 1995). However, the National Forest and Woodlands are about much more than simply planting trees. The Forest must demonstrate social environmental and economic sustainability. Economic sustainability will arise from the development of a sustainable forest-based industry as well as the broader regeneration of the local economy. This will ensure that the Forest helps to pay for itself and stimulate new enterprises. In the context of the woodlands on the Forest, sustainability means that trees will need to be periodically and systematically felled. Indeed, the Forest can and should produce timber, wood and woodland products whilst not conflicting with nature conservation or peoples enjoyment of woods.

The site for the Wood Fair at Beacon Hill is a small part of Beacon Hill Country Park. At 250m above sea level Beacon Hills craggy summit is the second highest spot in Leicestershire. A toposcope points out places of interest in all directions and amazing views are guaranteed whatever the weather. Slowly the hill is being restored to its original heathland habitat.

Trees scrub and bracken are being removed to enable species such as heather, bilberry and a variety of grasses to return. Longhorn Cattle and rare sheep breeds graze locally and help keep the scrub at bay.

The volcanic rocks of Beacon Hill are over 700 million years old! Evidence can also be seen of earthworks dating from 3000 years ago when the hill was an iron Age Hill Fort. At the Lower Beacon there is the Native Tree Collection, rhododendron labyrinth, picnic sites, walks, horse and cycle routes and links to nearby Windmill Hill and Broombriggs Farm Trail.

There are more than 100 hectares of heath and woodland, including a collection of trees native to Britain. A newly-planted area includes a Woodland Trail featuring woodland crafts, a viewing platform and a shelter built of straw. The park is also home to the unusual sight of Manx Loghton sheep and alpacas, the latter are similar to llamas.

Opening times for Beacon Hill for the remainder of the year are as follows

September

Daily 7am-7pm

October

Daily 7am-6pm

November

Daily 7am-5pm

December

Daily 7am-4pm