Branch out at tree festival

Everything that is good about wood is being celebrated at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on August 17 and 18.

The many highlights of the Wales Tree Festival include displays and demonstrations by the country’s top turners and carvers; a stunning collection of Treen (antique wooden household objects); and music and stories from Ghana – land of the Ghost Forest.

There will be a chance to make your own tree-based herbal remedies; as well as demonstrations of how to turn a tree into logs.

A ‘Robin Hood’ camp will be set up for youngsters to make bows and arrows and build dens; there are guided walks, a tree trail and a chance to hear what Swansea University have discovered about climate change by studying oak trees in the Botanic Garden.

In addition, artists will be making new creations inspired by trees; there will be displays of gate and fence making; as well as a host of stalls selling all sorts of wooden goods – including fairy doors, door knobs and boxes of all shapes and sizes.

Event organiser Bruce Langridge said: “We’ve tried to come at this from as many angles as possible and, hopefully, we have a schedule of activities that will provide something for everyone.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to seeing one of the best collections of treen in the UK and hearing the music and stories of Ghana. It is a year since the Ghost Forest came to the Garden and it is one of our most popular features but the thought of hearing the tales of its homeland is a particularly mouth-watering prospect.

“The story-teller works for our Ghost Forest partner, the rainforest charity Size of Wales, and musician Emmanuel Okuni Annang is from Ghana so I think that will be a very special happening.”

The Garden is open from 10am-6pm.

For more information about this and other Garden events, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or call 01558 667149 or visit www.gardenofwales.org.uk