The History Of The Uk National Forest-00-5640

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It boasts a long and interesting history that dates back to when the Romans invaded in the first century AD and much of Britain was covered in dense forest that had steadily spread northwards since the end of the last Ice Age 9,000 years earlier.

Yet by the time Shakespeare spoke of this sceptred isle, much of that ancient forest was being cut down, not least to build the fleet that repulsed the Spanish Armada, the last attempt at invasion. A few forested areas received protection from the Crown or private landowners to preserve the land for hunting, and many areas had access to coppiced woodlands, but the landscape would now be unrecognisable to the Romans who set up home around Burton.

More recent times

As a result of acute shortages during the First World War, the Forestry Commission was set up to encourage timber production and it still manages hundreds of thousands of acres. However, the commission had its critics who thought these artificially created woodlands were overplanted with single-species softwood, and there emerged an idea to also create a National Forest that would blend commercial forestry ...
... with wildlife, landscape and public benefit, not least through economic regeneration.

The founding of the UK National Forest

In 1987, the Countryside Commission produced a report that led the way to establishing just such a national forest within a 200-square mile area of the English Midlands, including Burton upon Trent, and the final plan was unveiled in 1990.

This large region was amongst the country's least wooded, and the aim was to increase the region's woodland to about 33 per cent, with 18 per cent being achieved to date. This strategy involves eventually linking up the ancient forest of Charnwood to the east with Needwood to the west, although there will inevitably be many breaks for housing and roads.

The benefits to Burton upon Trent

Burton upon Trent has always had the Trent riverside for recreational outings, but it now has a rapidly expanding world-class woodland amenity literally growing on its doorstep. Currently, 82 per cent of this new forest is accessible to both local people and visitors, with a variety of activities on offer.

As the largest town in the forest, Burton is also well placed to take full advantage of the economic opportunities that should flow from this initiative, with many thirsty and hungry visitors to cater for. In addition, the production of so much locally sourced wood must surely create new employment for the town, be it making barbecue wood, fence posts or cutting fuel for log burners.

Local facilities

A wide range of activities is on offer. In good weather, there is always a walk and picnic, but even then you have the choice of booking up the purpose-built picnic and barbecue area. Alternatively, spoil yourself by using Rosliston Forestry Centre's Hub café or take the kids for an activity birthday party in the forest, choosing from archery through to birds of prey. Weddings too are catered for with luxury log cabins for honeymooners, and there are even hen and stag weekends available.

Rosliston works hard to make its facility fully accessible for those in wheelchairs or with disabilities and you can even hire an all-terrain Tamper vehicle. For those more interested in the great outdoors, you can head off on your own or join a guided walk from an annual programme. The forest has a number of way-marked paths to follow.

Although not seen as important back in 1990, perhaps one of the best things about this new forest is that it enables the people of Burton and the rest of the region to help lock up CO2 into their forest.

About the Author:

The East Staffordshire town of Burton on Trent has plenty to see and do. For all the information on http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail/ and http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail/, look to The Burton Mail.