We are just recovering from our busiest autumn ever. Hopefully many of you were able to come to our first Wild About Wood festival in September, if you didn’t you missed a treat. The weather was kind, the sun shone and several thousand visitors were able to see and participate in all sorts of wood related activities. There was plenty for all ages to enjoy – check out our website for a list of exhibitors and a photographic record of the 2 fun days. The feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been very positive and we will be holding our second festival over the weekend of September 11/12 next year. So make a note in your diary.

            Our series of Discovery Lectures ended in October with the final lecture ‘Travels With Trees’ given by our Honorary Curator John Simmons VMH. This was a fascinating insight on a lifetime of plant hunting and trees in their natural environments.

            But what has really made it busy has been the wonderful autumn. The leaf  colour, the fruits and berries together with the weather have all combined to add to the spectacle. One lasting image is seeing a host of Comma butterflies feasting on the fermenting fallen pears. No doubt the next day many would have been nursing tiny bad heads.

            During December and January the  arboretum will have a well earned rest, with just two ‘Winter Welly Walks’ on Boxing day and New Years day, a good chance to walk off the excess, then top it up with cake and a glass of mulled wine.

            If you are short of an idea for a super, long lasting and healthy Christmas present how about an annual membership of The Arboretum? This entitles the holder to free admission from February through to the end of November, as well as other benefits, for details and prices see our website www.kewatch.co.uk .

Harry Kingman.