Last Show in Britain’s Last Forest

As the Woodlife Trails Roadshow season draws to an end, it is rather fitting that it was here at Hatfield Forest, Woodlife Trail’s adopted home and base, that we should perform our last one.

We are extremely fortunate to be associated with the National Trust at Hatfield and their forward-looking staff and managers seem to be pleased to have our presence at the forest to run our nature-based courses and educate young and old alike introducing them to wildlife, tracking, bushcraft and the forest itself.

It is described as Britain’s Last Forest as it is the only working forest left in Britain. It has never been ploughed-over and the landscape has not changed since it was designated a forest in the 11th century.

There is still wood pasture for the cattle and sheep and the woodland is regularly maintained by coppicing and harvesting. The rare flora and fauna has made it a National Nature Reserve and SSSI and the the  trees (many over 800 years old) are truly magnificent. Every time JP and I set up in the forest we are in awe of it and consider ourselves extremely privileged to be there. But it is only when the public has gone and dusk begins to fall do you really feel the atmosphere of this ancient place.

This weekend, the forest gave itself over to a festival. The Woodfest was originally designed as a celebration of the forest but it now has the exciting addition of a true festival atmosphere complete with two stages for music.

Much of the organisation is down to the Conservation Officer and highly accomplished Melodeon player, Ian Pease (seen here far right).

It has been a long summer of shows and to be honest, JP and I were both glad this was the last one. It is unbelievably tiring standing up and talking to people all day for three days explaining the various exhibits at our stand. But we can be sure, and indeed we are proud, that many, many people, and literally hundreds of youngsters,  have now gone with a better understanding of wildlife and nature; not to mention the looks of joy when they accomplish bow drill for the first time thanks to JP.

The exhibits are now looking the worse for wear, as we allow them all to be touched and felt. There’s nothing a quick replacement or a bit of stitching can’t fix.

So, this weekend was a double celebration. One for the forest and one for Woodlife Trails which ends our season of shows. A huge thanks to all our supporters and public who took time out to see us, to all the organisers and to all our neighbouring stands who had to put up with us!

We have two courses to look forward to in October. In the meantime – I think I’ll go chill out in the woods!