This month's features
Robin Hood legacy assured at Sherwood Forest
Notts County Council will build a brand new visitor centre at Sherwood Forest which will be open to the public in 2012.
Following a review of all of its major capital projects, the Council will be investing an initial £5.2 million from its capital programme for 2010/11 which will provide a new centre including a café, gift shop and a visitor experience that will both educate and entertain. The Council has already invested over £800,000 purchasing a new site for the centre.
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Culture and Community, said: “The new centre will be a vast improvement and a great attraction where visitors can enjoy refreshments, buy souvenirs, and learn all about the legend of Robin Hood before they explore the beautiful forest and its ancient oaks”.
Jennifer Spencer, interim chief executive at Experience Nottinghamshire said: “Sherwood Forest is an iconic, world renowned destination so it’s vital that we have a visitor centre to do justice to the legacy of Robin Hood and the historical forest itself. A visitor centre is the first port of call at any attraction so it’s essential to create the best first impression to enhance the visitor experience; I’m confident the new one will do just that.”
The design and plans for the new centre are currently being developed and will be unveiled this summer. A planning application will be then made later this year with works beginning spring 2011 and completed by the following year. The current visitors centre will not close until the new centre is open and operational.
Bob White, Chairman of the internet-based World Wide Robin Hood Society was delighted with the County Council’s commitment and said “The global popularity of Robin Hood means that visitors to Sherwood Forest expect to find a modern information centre that enhances their experience of both the legend and the location. The confirmation that the new facility will be open in 2012 is great news and ensures people won’t be disappointed.”
Previous plans for a visitor centre were costed at over £9million. However, following a review of the project, the plans have been revised and will no longer include conference and function space, which was not seen as a priority when the public were consulted last year, and a bridge crossing the B6304 that the public feared could result in anti-social activity and was unnecessary, with the other traffic-calming measures planned in its place.
Coun Cottee continued: “We have cut back the costs, but not the quality. Visitors will be able to enjoy a modern visitor centre with great place to eat, buy gifts and learn all about Robin Hood and his famous home. Plus, we are looking at different designs that are modular, so that if we are successful in acquiring money from other funding streams the attraction can be further developed.”
The new Hollywood movie about Robin Hood will be released later this year and the County Council is working with Nottingham City Council and Experience Nottinghamshire on a range of events for 2010 and on promoting the Nottinghamshire to markets in the UK and overseas.
Councillor John Cottee said: “We are looking forward to this year’s celebration around the new Robin Hood movie but we also want to build a lasting legacy and are confident that the new visitor centre will provide a first rate experience
Forest facts
The 33-year old existing visitors’ centre which currently attracts 400,000 visitors a year needs to be relocated due to an agreement made in 2002 between Natural England and Nottinghamshire County Council which designated Sherwood Forest as a National Nature Reserve. The County Council and Natural England continue to work closely to ensure the agreement is successfully met.
Land for the new site has already been purchased by the County Council from Thoresby Estates for £800,000. Know locally as “Naish‘s Field“ the site is east of the B6034 and in easy walking distance to the Major Oak and the other veteran oaks but is outside of the National Nature Reserve boundary.
Part of the agreement between Nottinghamshire County Council and Natural England was to divert mass tourism from the most ecologically sensitive areas, one of which is where the current visitor centre is situated. Demolishing and removing the existing visitors centre will then allow the site to be restored to heath land and take the pressure off the declining number of veteran oaks, many of which are over 500 years old. The existing visitors centre buildings and car park covers an area of 20,000 square metres and in parts is only a couple of metres from the veteran oaks.
For more information Contact Paul Belfield Communications Officer on 0115 977 4542
Nottinghamshire to lead the May Day parade
This year everyone in Nottinghamshire is being encouraged to get involved in May Day celebrations by reviving customs and traditions that have been practiced in the county for generations.
Nottinghamshire County Council is championing the festivities on the same bank holiday weekend which marks the start of Robin Hood Month.
Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Culture and Community said “May Day traditions and the legend of Robin Hood are at the heart of the county’s heritage and this May will be a great opportunity to celebrate both. Not only will this be great fun but it will teach a new generation old customs and traditions that could otherwise be forgotten and lost forever.”
The County Council has sent out letters to all schools and District and Parish Councils in the county, inviting them to get involved in any way they can. This could include May Day parades, May pole dancing, May Queen/King competitions, making of May Baskets, Morris Dancing., or maybe a mix of the old and new such as a BBQ with accompanying folk music.
For those who have a good idea but need financial support to make it happen, there is potential funding from the County Council’s ‘Local Improvement Scheme’ which supports local community projects.
Leading by example the County Council will be hosting the May Day parade on the bank holiday from Edwinstowe to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. Organised by the Sherwood Forest Trust, Robin Hood will lead the traditional parade including the ‘Jack in the Green’ made by local people.
Councillor John Cottee said “We want to support local communities and a May Day celebration is a marvelous way for everyone to join in the fun, just as people of the shire would have done during the time of Robin Hood.“
To find out more visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/mayday which includes contact information for advice on organising an event or applying for funding.
For more information Contact Paul Belfield Communications Officer on tel: 0115 977 4542
Medieval fun throughout May
Sherwood Forest and Rufford Park events include:
1-2 May
Learn about medieval life with the Birkland Outlaws and medieval combat displays with the Oakwood Outlaws at Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre.
3 May
A traditional May Day parade led by Robin Hood from the Edwinstowe to the Major Oak on the May Day bank holiday, the County Council is also championing the revival of May Day traditions and customs, encouraging all to get involved.
5 May
Enjoy the magical atmosphere of Sherwood Forest with a free story walk learning ‘Tales of the Forest’, these are aimed at adults and will take place every Wednesday throughout May. 7.30pm start at Sherwood Forest visitors centre.
8-9 May
Have a go archery for all and familiar characters from the Robin Hood legend out and about in Sherwood Forest. Free family story walks through the forest begin and take place every Sunday for the month. 1pm start at Sherwood Forest visitors centre.
15-16 May
A living history weekend at Rufford Country park on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May, with a large medieval encampment demonstrating medieval crafts, cooking, warfare and music. On the same weekend there will be smaller medieval encampment by the Major Oak.
22-23 May
Costumed characters at Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre plus ‘have a go archery’. Plus day time walks through Sherwood Forest and medieval storytelling for children and families.
29 May
A ‘Robin Hood Family Day’ with events and activities across the county’s libraries.
31 May
For the ultimate Robin Hood experience the bank holiday will see a ‘Silver Arrow’ archery competition by the Major Oak in the heart of Sherwood Forest at 3pm.
Nottingham Castle events include:
1-2 May
‘Medieval Entertainment’ presents the ‘Robin Hood Jousting Show’ – a spectacle featuring Robin Hood and his Merry Men and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
8 May
A Medieval Family Fun Day with have a go archery, tug of war, falconry shows, trebuchet demos and have a go jousting. ‘Become a Knight for the Day’ will appeal to medieval enthusiasts of all ages.
15-16 May
‘The Dogs of War’, the Castle’s resident medieval re-enactment group will be on site to talk about their deadly weapons and life in the time of Robin Hood.
22 May
Come and make some ‘Funky Armour’ with the Castle’s Armourers Kath and Pete. An ideal Saturday afternoon pastime for children 11 and under. Drop in between 11 and 1 or 2 and 4.
23 May
A Medieval Family Fun Day
27 May
The Castle’s medieval collections and treasures are so sizeable that they can’t possibly be all on display, but now’s your chance to explore the stores at Brewhouse Yard, with Collections Manager Ann Inscker. Learn more about the period and why it’s important that museums exist to care for such pieces.
29–31 May
Regia Anglorum stage a Medieval Re-enactment weekend depicting the late 12th Century - the life and times of Robin Hood and will transform the Castle grounds into a medieval encampment. An educational but enjoyable opportunity for all.
There will also be activities across the county with libraries hosting a series of free talks, using archives to bring to life the county during the time of Robin Hood.
The county and City Council have been working closely with Experience Nottinghamshire who are capitalising on the launch of the film to drive tourism to the region, providing a massive boost to the local economy. They, along with Visit Britain, have helped broker a relationship with Universal Pictures.
Film exhibition at Sherwood Forest
The official exhibition for the new Hollywood blockbuster ‘Robin Hood’ will open at Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre on the 23rd March, displaying props that were used in the making of the film and will be on show until the end of October.
Designed by Universal Pictures the new film exhibition at the visitor centre appears like a medieval encampment in the forest with walls of brushed wood and an arched entrance built from woven twigs. Inside three large screens tell the amazing story of how the movie was made with exclusive behind the scenes shots. You can watch one of these screens from a large wooden cart that was actually used in the 
film and inspect other props and furniture that are on display. For the ideal photo opportunity there is a set of stocks and life size cut outs of characters from the film.
To complement the new film exhibition the existing visitor exhibition has undergone a major refurbishment creating an atmospheric 3D look with woodland sets, figures and buildings which combined with displays retell the stories of Robin’s life, and his forest home of Sherwood.
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre opens daily from 10.00am to 4.30pm. Admission is free. There is a small charge for car parking (£3) at weekends and Bank Holidays, plus daily through the school summer holiday.
A further exhibition will open at Nottingham Castle on the same day with costumes and other props from the film.
For more information Contact Paul Belfield Communications Officer on tel: 0115 977 4542
Robin Hood returns to Notts
Nottinghamshire is gearing up to give Robin Hood the welcome home he deserves when he returns to the silver screen this May.
To offer a fitting tribute to our very own legend in green, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council have declared May Robin Hood Month.
This is to coincide with the release of Ridley Scott’s eagerly awaited movie Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe as Robin Hood and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian. The film is expected to be one of the big blockbusters of 2010 and is a gritty modern retelling of the popular worldwide legend that is inextricably linked with Nottinghamshire.
An exciting programme of major events will turn back the clock across the whole of the county, and with something happening every day, the County and City will be transformed into a medieval kingdom.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Community Councillor John Cottee said: “Robin Hood is famous all around the world and it is great that the new film will add to the legend and introduce a new generation to our county’s most famous son. Robin Hood Month will be a great opportunity for everyone in Nottinghamshire to get involved and have fun; it will also attract visitors into the county which will bring real rewards to the local economy. Events and activities are happening every day and will provide something for everyone. Robin Hood Month will be a great opportunity to showcase not only our pride in Robin Hood but also that Nottinghamshire has much to offer.
