APF 2008 ATTRACTS RECORD CROWDS (30/09/08)

APF 2008, the UK's largest forestry and woodland exhibition, which took place last week at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, reported record numbers of both exhibitors and visitors.
Warm sunshine over all three days made a pleasant change from recent poor weather that many other shows have suffered from.
Exhibition Secretary, Ian Millward said:

"We had 16000 visitors attend over the three days, an 18% increase on 2006 and exhibitor numbers mirrored this with an increase of 20% to 250. We are absolutely delighted with the result. The whole Exhibition and all our competitions were an enormous success. The Sunshine over all three days was fantastic and we never dreamed we would have dust problems! APF 2008 has cemented the Exhibition's status as one leading shows in Europe for the forest and arboricultural industries."

Many exhibitors reported that it was their best show yet and that they did a lot of business. One exhibitor sold 11 sawmills from their stand and another took orders worth nearly a £1 million pounds. Ian further commented."

APF 2008 has proved again that this is the place to be if you want to sell or buy machines in our industry."

STILL PLANTING THE TREES - A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST (17/09/08)

Despite land price inflation, high commodity prices and the transition to a new grant programme, 119ha of new forest was created in The National Forest in 2007 / 2008. An additional 80ha was secured for a country park.
In a challenging year, the National Forest Company (NFC) also attracted more additional funds than ever before to enable people to enjoy and experience the Forest, according to the Company’s latest Annual Report for the year to March 2008.

APF 2008 (01/09/08)

We will be running two competitions this year on our stand in the Demonstration area (No. 1110) - the faulty chainsaw competition that has been run before and also a photographic one as well. This time last year, whilst holding our AGM at the Weald Woodfair, we ran the chainsaw competition, which was admirably won by Martin Atkins. Martin won a set of Arblite gear kindly donated by Bruce Salisbury of Severnside Safety.

This year Severnside Safety is giving away a Tranemo First Grade Softshell Jacket to each competition winner. These jackets are wind, and waterproof with breath-ability. They are made of 100% polyester with fleece on the inside. They feature detachable sleeves with strong patches on elbows, reflective piping on front and back, waterproof zips, mobile phone pocket, chest pocket with zip, zip front pockets, draw cords at collar and waist and a removable key-ring holder. They retail at around £54, so if you have time to call in at our stand and take part in either competition, you could be in with a chance of winning one of them. For other Tranemo work wear and other safety gear and supplies, please visit: http://www.sevsafe.co.uk.

RECORD NUMBERS AT THE NATIONAL FOREST WOOD FAIR (01/09/08)

Record crowds delighted exhibitors and organisers at the National Forest Wood Fair on Bank Holiday Monday.

PROGRESS MADE IN BID TO IDENTIFY CAUSE OF DECLINING OAKS (23/08/08)

Forestry Commission scientists have moved a step closer to identifying the cause of a 'bleeding' condition which has affected oak trees in woods in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

SUSPENSION OF CAR PARKING TRIAL IN EAST ANGLIA (11/08/08)

The Forestry Commission in East Anglia announced on 7 August that it had suspended the Car Parking Trial at six picnic sites in Thetford Forest Park and one at Rendlesham Forest Centre with immediate effect. The scheme was expected to continue at these sites until the late Autumn.

EMPLOYERS WARNED TO ASSESS RISKS OF FELLING TREES PROPERLY (07/08/08)

Employers are being warned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure they assess the risks of removing trees properly and that workers are adequately trained for this task. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of a Sutton Coldfield engineering company after a man suffered serious head injuries while he was helping to remove a branch from a tree.

HOW MUCH TIMBER WILL THE CONIFER WOODLANDS OF THE SOUTH WEST PRODUCE OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS? (23/06/08)

This is the question that South West Woodland Renaissance (SWWR), a partnership of forest owners and timber processors, have contracted Forest Research (FR) to answer.

BIOMASS POWER STATION TO BE BUILT IN LINCOLNSHIRE (16/06/08)

The Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, has today given the go ahead to Helius Energy plc to construct a 65 MW biomass power station near Stallingborough in North East Lincolnshire.

CASH BOOST FOR BIOMASS FUEL FOR HEAT & ELECTRICITY GENERATION (16/06/08)

Farmers, foresters and biomass producers can apply for up to £200,000 each under a new round of grants opened by Environment Minister Phil Woolas.
The Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme will support the biomass industry in England by helping those supplying biomass fuel for use in heat and electricity generation.

FORESTRY CHIEF APPOINTED FOR WEST MIDLANDS (16/06/08)

CONFOR APPOINTS ENGLAND MANAGER (09/06/08)

ConFor is delighted to announce the appointment of chartered forester Caroline Harrison to the post of England manager.

SUPPORT FOR CONSULTATION ON THE NATIONAL FOREST TO 2014 & BEYOND (05/06/08)

As the National Forest Company launches a consultation on The National Forest to 2014 and beyond, it has received strong support from the Forest's funders and partners. The consultation will result in a new implementation plan to support its 2004 - 2014 strategy.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON HOW TO MANAGE ENGLAND'S ANCIENT & NATIVE WOODLANDS (05/06/08)

Forestry Commission England is seeking views on the contents of its draft practice guide for managing England’s ancient and native woodlands.

PUT THAT AXE DOWN - THIS IS BRITAIN'S MOST VALUABLE TREE (26/05/08)

A plane in Mayfair has been valued at £750,000, making it Britain’s most valuable tree.

DRILLING FOR DESTRUCTION (20/05/08)

West Sussex CC backs proposal to raze ancient woodland in search of oil.

OAK PROCESSIONARY MOTH ACTION PLAN RELAUNCHED (20/05/08)

Forestry, Councils and health authorities have appealed for help from residents of west and south-west London as they launch their spring action plan to try to eradicate oak processionary moths from the area.

FREE FORESTRY HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING EVENTS (14/02/08)

Due to demand from the industry, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is running another Safety and Health Awareness Day for the forestry industry in the New Forest on the 19 March 2008.

Forestry Safety and Health Awareness Days have been developed in partnership with the industry and are being delivered by trainers who have years of experience working in forestry.
This event is being run for HSE by the Forestry Commission's Learning and Development (previously Forest Training Services). This will be the 10th event in the UK but the first in the New Forest Area. They have been very popular and those attending previous events have found them to be useful and enjoyable.

Following suggestions from those attending previous Forestry Safety and Health Awareness Days they are now targeted at all of those involved in forestry operations, including forestry work managers, site safety coordinators and operators.
Each event reflects the type of forestry work taking place in the area and scenarios are acted out that are based on situations that have led to serious and even fatal accidents. These will include use of chains saws, chippers and skidders.
The experienced industry-trainers will also deal with other significant hazards, including hand arm and whole body vibration, noise and public access, and working with contractors.
We will discuss the risks and then work through common sense solutions that can be applied on your own sites. HSE Inspectors will also be present to discuss any issues that arise and to offer general health and safety advice in a relaxed and informal setting.

Feedback on this approach from attendees at previous events has been extremely positive.
Two identical sessions are run: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Refreshments and a free lunch will be provided.

Attendance is limited to 50 per session and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. There is no limit to the number of places that can be requested, but we may need to take account of overall response and the total limit on delegates.
Managers should consider bringing their contractors along to the event, as this will be of mutual benefit in raising awareness and improving management of health and safety in forestry operations.

For further information or to book a place(s) on the event (indicating which session you wish to attend) please contact:

Claire Eadie Learning & Development Forestry Commission Silvan House 231 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 7AT tel 0131 314 6341, or e mail claire.eadie@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

EAST OF ENGLAND CUTTERS AND CLIMBERS COMPETITION 26th & 27th APRIL 2008 (04/02/08)
For more information see www.ukgamefair.co.uk.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR ENGLAND (2007-2013): TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS (13/12/07)

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is the mechanism for delivering funds allocated to England from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) from 1st January 2007. The RDPE was agreed by the EU Rural Development Committee on 6 December 2007. The legal Commission Decision formally approving the Programme should be published by the New Year, allowing full implementation of the new Programme in January 2008.

FARM WOODLAND PAYMENTS (08/11/07)

2007 Payments of FWS, FWPS and FWP commenced on 6th November.
Note that remittance advices will follow after payments.

Important information regarding these payments is at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-78khtj.

AMENDMENTS TO THE HABITATS REGULATIONS - FREE REGIONAL SEMINARS (07/11/07)

Further to the update on the amendments to the Habitats Regulations that was presented to the AFG meeting last week, a series of regional seminars has been organised. The purpose of these events is to advise woodland owners, managers and contractors on the legislative changes and how they can ensure that forestry operations are compliant with the Regulations where protected species are present. The dates and venues for these events, together with details of how to book a place, are available at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-78klr7.

BIOMASS ENERGY & PELLET PLANT OPEN DAY: 12th SEPTEMBER 2007, NEAR RETFORD, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE (24/08/07)

An informal day during which visitors will have the opportunity to see all machinery associated with SRC and Miscanthus production, mature SRC plantations, stored wood chip, the new Biojoule pellet plant and an on-farm oil press.
Short presentations will be given on relevant subjects between 1 and 3pm and visitors will have the opportunity to chat to representatives from the three companies involved.
A number of biomass boiler manufacturers/suppliers have been invited to provide stands and display their boilers.
There is no charge.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF ROUNDWOOD IN ENGLAND - WORKSHOPS (08/08/07)

ConFor is planning two workshops in England, to be held 05 and 06 September (Gloucestershire and Scotch Corner respectively), to try to understand better the timber supply and demand picture and its likely future, as well as, to identify solutions to stimulating more woodland management and timber production.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST COMPANY (18/04/07)

The National Forest Company (NFC) has appointed three new non-executive directors to its Board, Barry Gardiner MP, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs, has announced. They take up their new roles in April 2007.

CONFOR WELCOMES WOOD ENERGY STRATEGY (28/03/2007)

A new strategy launched by the Forestry Commission England to promote the use of wood as a source of energy has been welcomed by woodland owners and wood using businesses.

FORESTRY COMMISSION SEEKS NEW REGIONAL CHAIR FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN THE SOUTH WEST (26/02/2007)

The Forestry Commission is seeking to appoint a new Chair for its Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) in the South West of England. The post has arisen after Sir Harry Studholme, the previous Chair, was appointed as a non-executive Forestry Commissioner for England.

DATE SET FOR 2007 NATIONAL FOREST WOOD FAIR (14/02/2007)

The National Forest Company and Leicestershire County Council have set the date for this year’s National Forest Wood Fair, to be held in the Forest on Bank Holiday Monday 27 August, and the planning for one of the most exciting events in the countryside year is in full force.

SIR HARRY STUDHOLME APPOINTED FORESTRY COMMISSIONER FOR ENGLAND (29/01/2007)

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of Sir Harry Studholme as a non-executive Forestry Commissioner for England.

RDPE UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE (29/01/2007)

Information for woodland owners and grant customers about delays to the start of the new Rural Development Programme for England and its effect on the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) is now available on the Forestry Commission England website.

MARKET LOOKING GOOD FOR ENGLISH HARDWOOD (22/12/2006)

Good quality English oak and other home-produced timber made big gains at a recent hardwood timber auction.

NORTH YORKSHIRE TIMBER TO HELP FUEL GREEN POWER STATION   (19/12/2006)

THE HEAT IS ON TO SWITCH TO GREEN WOODFUEL (19/12/2006)

People in the West Midlands are being urged to think green and to look at using woodfuel boilers to heat their homes.

COPPICING THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY (08/12/2006)

Dave Dibden is bringing a centuries-old tradition back to life in a corner of Hampshire’s world-famous woodlands.

John Swift appointed to Forestry Commission's Regional Advisory Committee (09/11/06)

English Policy Committee Chairman and Membership Director, John Swift, has been elected onto the Forestry Commission's Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) for the West Midlands.

The position runs from this December until November 2009 and involves advising the Commission on a number of issues. These include the regional implementation of national forest strategies and policies, regional matters of concern and also conciliating when necessary in disputed applications for grant aid, and felling licences.

The RACs themselves represent the Forestry Commission's 12 conservancies throughout England and members include forestry representatives, woodland owners. and environmentalists.
Other members of the West Midlands group include Andy Sharkey (Chair), Bill Evans, David Hallam, Graham Hunt, Barbara Yates, Russell Rowley, Helen Woodman and Andrew Woods.

OLD SUSSEX WOODS NEWLY FOUND (30/10/2006)

A detailed survey in mid Sussex has found an additional 607 of Ancient Woodlands not previously identified, adding some 1600 hectares or 41%, to the total of Ancient Woodlands known to exist in the area.

A TRULY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN THE NATIONAL FOREST (11/10/06)

MORE TREES FOR THE FOREST (11/10/06)

320,000 more trees will be planted in The National Forest this year, thanks to the success of this year’s National Forest Tender Scheme. The winners were announced recently at a special event held in Leicestershire, at Conkers Waterside.

TRAIN TO GAIN GOES NATIONAL (14/09/06

WOODFAIR SOUTH WEST (01/09/06)

THE NATIONAL FOREST WOOD FAIR RATED “GREAT SUCCESS” (01/09/06)

FARM WOODLAND SCHEME (FWS) & FARM WOODLAND PREMIUM SCHEME (FWPS) (12/07/06)

DEFRA has presented a report to Parliament confirming that it isnot currently proposing to make any changes to FWS and FWPS payment rates in England. Although both schemes are now closed to new entrants in England, DEFRA is still required to report to Parliament at least once every five years. The position on FWS and FWPS is, according to DEFRA, completely without prejudice to the position on future Farm Woodland Payment rates and categories under the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) which will form part of - and need to be approved in the context of - the new Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
The report can be viewed by following this link: DEFRA Parliamentary Report.

ENGLAND FORESTRY STRATEGY PROGRESS REPORT (07/07/06)

The Forestry Commission has published a progress report on the implementation of the England Forestry Strategy in order to support the current DEFRA review. Their "Growing Futures" booklet highlights a selection of some of the more interesting achievements to date, made by the various bodies involved. The booklet can be viewed online at www.forestry.gov.uk/efs.

HUNT CONTINUES FOR TREE DISEASES (29/06/06)

FOUNTAINS SPRING IN TO CREATE WOODLAND IN THE NATIONAL FOREST (14/06/06)

WILTON 10: NEW TEESIDE BIOMASS PLANT (01/06/06)

NEW TEAM IMPROVES LINKS BETWEEN SCIENTIST AND FORESTER (11/05/06)

LAND OWNERS SUBMIT PLANS FOR NEW WOODLANDS FOR THE NATIONAL FOREST (11/05/06)

MEETING OF ENGLAND FORESTRY FORUM & REVIEW OF ENGLAND FORESTRY STRATEGY

The next meeting of the England Forestry Forum will take place on 27 June 2006 in London. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss The England Forestry Strategy consultation document, which will be launched in May. A copy of the document will be available soon after the launch. The meeting will provide an opportunity to have a detailed discussion on the issues raised in the consultation in the document.

For further information please see:

EFF Report

PROTECTION MORE VITAL THAN EVER (06/04/2006)

Forestry Commission head keeper Andy Page has had an anxious wait for the New Forest’s first ground nesting birds to fly in across the Channel, as international scientists now fear a serious decline in the populations of species like the wood warbler, which come to Britain each spring from as far afield as Africa.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/BA9900C50996355080257148004C2887

FURTHER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD OF FORESTRY COMMISSIONERS (07/04/2006)

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/7C6332A93C1FEEC480257149004AD1A

FORESTRY COMMISSION SEEKS NEW REGIONAL CHAIRS FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEES IN THE NORTH WEST, WEST MIDLANDS, AND  SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND

The Forestry Commission is seeking to appoint new Chairs for its Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) in the North West, West Midlands, and South East of England.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/0395CE21A3551C6A802571420047AAB

FUTURE PROMISE FOR HISTORIC WOODS (30/03/2006)

Forest design plans for Lincolnshire and Rutland promise woodlands for tomorrow with true ‘local character'.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/news1/3C2031D09FFF1AAA802571400042120D

NEW FORESTRY COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED