Tree-mendous festival

The wonderful world of woodlands and wildlife and will be explored in Rochdale and Heywood this weekend

The wonderful world of woodlands and wildlife and will be explored in Rochdale and Heywood this weekend.

The event has been organised to highlight how our woodlands offer a natural habitat to wildlife while providing humans with a source of fuel, food and furniture.

The festival will also showcase the work and talent of local artists, crafts people, conservation groups and professionals working in and around our woodlands.

Visitors to the event will be able to take part in a whole host of activities and watch a variety of demonstrations, including:

• ‘Turning’ or ‘bodging’ workshops on pole lathes and a shave horse which are used to make traditional pieces of household equipment
• A wood carving demonstration
• A traditional furniture making demonstration using a mobile saw mill to turn trunks into great looking furniture
• Talks highlighting fascinating facts about local folklore and traditional uses for native trees
• Bird walks around the park led by the RSPB
• Wildlife stalls by Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue, RSPB and Lancashire Wildlife Trust who will provide information on woodland wildlife
• A willow weaving course
• Art and craft activity stalls where visitors can make gypsy flowers, handmade paper greeting cards and felted cards
• Stalls selling eco crafts, jams, chutneys and lots more.

In addition, chainsaw artist, Richard Janes, will be carving two giant sculptures which will remain in the park as a permanent reminder of the event.

The woodlands and wildlife festival is 11am to 4pm on Sunday 15 September, Rochdale Countryside Service in partnership with the Friends of Springfield Park will host the annual Woodland Festival at Springfield Park, Bolton Road, (A58), Rochdale, OL10 1AH.

For more information contact Rochdale Countryside Ranger Service at Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre on 01706 373421