Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum

Blog - Blog

Chair Making at Westonbirt

Posted in: Blog Crafts

Paul Hayden has been making Windsor chairs from green wood for more than twenty years. He regularly runs chair making courses at Westonbirt, using the Silk Wood Barn as a venue for a traditional workshop.

View Full Post

Autumn: the first signs

Posted in: Blog Autumn

Not wanting to miss out on the first signs of autumn colour, I ventured out of my office for a stroll round Circular Drive today to see what I could see.

View Full Post

Autumn: planning and planting the picturesque

Posted in: Blog Propagation Autumn

As the summer draws to an end, I always start to think about our annual planting programme.

View Full Post

Hidden Voices: An Overdue Post After a Busy Summer

Posted in: Blog Learning

‘Hidden Voices’ is an inspiring project being run by that participation and learning team at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, engaging community groups in environmental issues.

View Full Post

The Big Top is up! Nearly time for Treefest!

Posted in: Blog Events

I can’t believe it, after 12 months of working on Treefest, we are now only 4 days away.

View Full Post

Update from the RSPB at Westonbirt

Posted in: Blog Events Learning

Well the last month or so has been a busy one for the RSPB at Westonbirt! We’ve held a whole host of hands-on family events, which I hope many of you joined us on. For those who didn’t, here’s a summary…...

View Full Post

A tree for dreamers at Treefest

Posted in: Blog Events

At last years’ Treefest the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum invited visitors to put their dreams on the leaves of The Tree of Dreams.

View Full Post

Westonbirt Arboretum Downs Vegetation Survey update

Back in June Matt Parratt from Forest Research and a team of volunteers completed the first stage of a comprehensive survey of the vegetation communities and plant species of the Downs.

View Full Post

Venison, vegetarian paella and vintage teas: catering at Treefest

Posted in: Blog Events

Catering always plays an important part in a festival, and this year at Treefest, we'll have some new caterers with some exciting menus on offer.

View Full Post

A flair for individual design

Posted in: Blog Events

I am a highly skilled, traditional craftsman with a flair for individual design, having built up over 27 years experience in joinery.

View Full Post

Making Friends at Forest Green

Massive thanks to Ecotricity, one of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum corporate supporters, who hosted me at their Sustainability in Sport Match at Forest Green Rovers yesterday.

View Full Post

Preparing for the Plant Hunters' Academy

Posted in: Blog Events Learning

During the school holidays the excitement doesn't cease here in the learning department. If anything, we are even busier - with four family events running over four weeks, each week with a different family trail and set of crafts.

View Full Post

What's in the autumn issue

The Westonbirt Magazine is produced by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum for its membership; to inform Friends about events, to engage Friends in issues that affect the arboretum, and to share enjoyment.

View Full Post

Top tips for picnics

Wondering what to eat whilst Maples Restaurant and the Courtyard Café are closed?...

View Full Post

Flying Lessons at Westonbirt

Posted in: Blog Wildlife

What a delightful week the Friends’ staff have had working in the Great Oak Hall as the House Martin’s School of Flying takes off (sorry!)!...

View Full Post