More Than 4,000 Go Down To Surrey Hills Wood Fair

Published on: 11 Oct, 2013
Updated on: 11 Oct, 2013

By Dani Maimone

More than 4,000 visitors attended this year’s Surrey Hills Wood Fair at Birtley House in Bramley over the weekend. The event was organised by the Surrey Hills Enterprises, a community interest company set up in 2012 to promote rural businesses and the development of the local economy.

Surrey Hills Wood Fair at Birtley House. All pictures by Dani Maimone.

More than 100 exhibitors took part to showcase their crafts, skills and businesses, with many doing a roaring trade over the two-day period. Ken Bare, the event organiser said: “This year was an amazing success. It was very encouraging to see such a variety of exhibitors taking part and so many people coming along to see us.

“We had a great deal of positive feedback from exhibitors and members of the public. We aim to make it bigger and better for next year and continue to grow and spread the word about the importance of sustainable woodland management and supporting the local rural economy.”

Simon Ferrar (right) from Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve talks to a visitor to the Wood Fair.

Simon Ferrar, founder and manager at Clandon Wood Surrey Hills Natural Burial Reserve added: “It was our first time at the Wood Fair and as an exhibitor I was very impressed with how it was run and the number of people attending. We had a great deal of interest over the weekend and I will definitely be taking part next year.”

In it’s fourth year, the Wood Fair was set up to highlight and promote ‘all that is good about wood,’ with this year being its most successful to date.

As Surrey is the most wooded county in England and the Surrey Hills is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, (AONB) it’s vital that local people understand the value and importance of their local environment. Surrey’s woodland is diverse and includes ancient semi-natural areas that are of significant value for nature conservation, including The North Downs, which is of international importance.

The Wood Fair was in a spectacular setting in the grounds of Birtley House, Bramley.

The Wood Fair is an excellent way to introduce the importance of sustainable conservation to families and the next generation in a fun and exciting way.

There was something for everyone at this year’s event with music from the Surrey Hills Ukulele Band, a variety of craft stalls and more practical tools such as wood burning stoves to zip wire tree climbs for the children and horse and carriage rides for everyone. Pond dipping and woodland owls, archery and chainsaw sculpture, carefully crafted wooden rocking horses, coppicing, weaving and willow coffins completed an eclectic but interesting mix.

To find out more about the Surrey Hills Wood Fair  go to www.surreyhillswoodland.co.uk/surrey-hills-wood-fair/

You can listen in to a snapshot of the Wood Fair with Dani Maimone, exhibitors and friends on Thursday, October 17, online at www.brooklandsradio.co.uk  and also with tunein.com/ a free app you can use on your smartphone.

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