Blog

March has arrived and for the first time since any of us can remember, the trauma of our January renewals is over already!...

You will see from Monday (7th March) contractors on site by the mini roundabout starting Phase 1 of the Westonbirt Project.

Busy planning the 3rd Wedding Open Day on Saturday 19 March. Trying a different format this year as we want to promote Westonbirt Arboretum as a really special venue for Civil Ceremonies and partnerships.

Not the best week at Westonbirt, as the staff have been consulted on the Public Forest Estate debate and the restructuring within the Forestry Commission which will affect our colleagues here quite severely.

It has been decided by those who must be obeyed that FOWA is to be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of blogging. An introductory lesson showed that some people have high hopes that we shall enter into this world with gusto.

I ran out of time in my blog entry the other day, so I couldn’t jabber on to you about the Planning Inspector’s verdict on the Welcome Building design itself.

If champagne, caviar and fois gras was on the Maples menu last Friday, the Project team would have been over there tucking in. We heard our appeal result from the Planning Inspectorate, and it was positive.

Over the past two weeks I have been volunteering here at Westonbirt Arboretum as part of my Applied Geography course at Bournemouth University.

‘What’s the difference between a shed and a barn?’ It’s a question the Planning Inspector asked the Cotswold District Council Conservation and Design Officer on Wednesday this week.

We had a photographic evening last night, around the Christmas trail. People came from as far as Manchester.

Recently my volunteers and I have been recording potentially hazardous trees, unfortunately a number will have to be removed so I have provided a list and maps for the tree team.

It’s always a very busy time for the events team just before the Enchanted Christmas. We don’t actually put the lights up for the trail ourselves, but a huge amount of planning goes into the whole event.

Phew, it’s all over and what an autumn it’s been! The evidence of a long and glorious leaf display now lies on the ground like the spent party poppers after a wild party.

October at Westonbirt is a very busy time for us all, especially the tree team. Along with the seasonal added car parking and admissions work we still have to under take our usual duties.

Fundraising for the Westonbirt Project is an interesting role in these times of austerity. I’ve had several responses to funding requests along the lines of, “Many thanks for your application. It looks like a terrific project, but….”...