Free forest festival fun

Live musicians, street performers, animated theatre and children's woodland treasure workshops are just a few of the unusual attractions at the third Swindon forest festival at The Lawn, Old Town on Saturday 1 September, 10am to 5pm.

Sponsored by Nationwide Building Society, event organisers, the Great Western Community Forest, have lined up a host of expert craftsmen with many lifetimes experience of working with wood. From hand-made rustic furniture, willow baskets, brushes and brooms, to traditional roof shingles and fencing hurdles, each skill produces amazing results from the character of individual woods.

Community Forest education officer Heather Lilley described the event as a way of promoting the value of woodland heritage. "The Lawn is an excellent venue to stage the festival with an ancient tree trail and wildflower meadows. It will be a day for all ages to enjoy, a positive celebration of the Great Western Community Forest and how it is touching the lives of the people who live and work in the area."

More details from www.forestweb.org.uk