Limited early bird tickets for the 2015 National Forest Wood Fair have just gone on sale in time for Christmas.  Buy now and save one third off the entry price in August next year.

The National Forest Wood Fair is a brilliant day out for anyone who loves the countryside, trees, timber, wildlife and woodlands.

Held on Monday 31 August 2015 (August Bank Holiday) the day will be packed with lumberjack displays, chainsaw carving demonstrations, tree climbing and have a go greenwood crafts. There will be loads of fun for children: they can paddle a coracle, create eco-art, concoct woodland-based lotions and potions and even handle a hawk.

Visitors to the Wood Fair will be treated to a tempting spread of delicious locally-sourced food and drink and can watch forest-inspired cookery demonstrations at the Forest Food Festival. Alternatively, you can pick up tips from the experts in a series of wood carving, wood turning and greenwood craft masterclasses. There's something for everyone!

The event takes place in the stunning setting of Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire, amongst the craggy outcrops of the Charnwood Hills. The site is just ten minutes from the M1, junctions 22 and 23.

Richard Drakeley, Tourism Development Officer for the National Forest Company, said: “The National Forest Wood Fair attracts over one hundred exhibitors and demonstrators, and people return year after year to this very special event. There's always loads to see and do, but also time to talk to the exhibitors, ask them about their craft and find out more about all the things you can see and do in The National Forest. The stalls are full of tempting things to buy - beautiful handcrafted items fashioned out of wood for the home and garden and gifts for family and friends. You can also find out how you can get more involved with the Forest: by helping create woodlands, looking after the woodlands that have already been planted or by supporting the Forest in a number of fun and inspirational ways. Early bird tickets will save you money and you'll have a great day out to look forward to next summer!”

Early bird tickets save you one third of the full price and are now on sale online at www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk  Adult tickets are £6 (£9 on the day);concessionary tickets are £4 (£6 on the day); a family ticket is £16.67 (a family ticket covers up to two adults and three concessionary tickets, and will cost £25 on the day.)  

This might be just the unusual Christmas gift you are looking for – see more and purchase online at www.nationalforestwoodfair.co.uk

The National Forest Wood Fair is organised by the National Forest Company in partnership with Leicestershire County Council.

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Media contact:  Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, National Forest Company, 01283 551211 email: crowntreejones@nationalforest.org

For more information on The National Forest see www.nationalforest.org

Digital images are available. Contact media@nationalforest.org

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The National Forest area covers 200 square miles of the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.  Its objective is to increase woodland cover within its boundaries from an initial six per cent to about a third. No multi-purpose forest on this scale has been created in the UK for one thousand years. To date the proportion of woodland cover in the Forest has more than trebled to 19.8 per cent and in 2012 HRH the Duke of Cambridge planted the eight millionth tree in the Forest. 

2. Year by year, The National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest.  The National Forest provides environmental, social and economic benefits, including landscape enhancement, creation of new wildlife habitats and major new access and leisure opportunities. It is an excellent example of sustainable development – with environmental improvement providing a stimulus both to economic regeneration and to community pride and activity.

3. To achieve these objectives, the National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, private business, voluntary organisations and local communities and has strong support from Government, politicians and the public.  The Company receives grant in aid from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

4. The National Forest Company's Triennial Review by Central Government in 2013 stated: “Many [stakeholders] stressed the need for the continued role of the NFC to maintain momentum and ensure that the long term aims for The National Forest are achieved. The importance of a 'truly sustainable landscape scale project' was stressed, with the need for continued objectives across a wide agenda including economic growth, woodland culture and habitat networks.”

5. In 2008, the National Forest Company and partners won the inaugural Sustainable Development UK Award, for their work in Ashby Woulds, at the heart of The National Forest.