I do understand but the new visitors centre was funded by a lottery grant and European money , I believe. It is now managed by the RSPB and being a local I think they are missing a trick with regard to the legend of Robin Hood, not really my cup of tea but a money spinner none the less. The old visitors centre told the storey of Robin Hood and was entertaining for the kids, there was a play area, a bar and function room as well.
After all I would guess that the vast majority of visitors come to Sherwood because of the legend. I can not imagine the disappointment of the Japanese, Americans, Australians and others that we see out in the village when they arrive at the new visitors centre which is solely aimed at birds.
The café doesn't even allow dogs in WTF where in the middle of a Forest. I am disappointed and I only live 250 yards away.
They kicked out the fair ground and forced them across the road even though they have been there for 80 odd years.
Add to this the £4 car park charge and I think the whole thing will be short lived. Many locals are already boycotting the centre because to be honest there is nothing there for them, their kids or grand kids.
I am all for conversation but it needs to be funded, as you say and alienating the locals and tourists is not the way to raise funding for it, In my view. Rant over.
Just returned from a great couple of hours walk in Sherwood Forest and Budby common. I've been away for a couple of weeks. Managed a few naked walks while away. A nature reserve near Staiths, Beach top walk at Runswick Bay, Spurn Point and then down in the Northamptonshire countryside.
Was good to get back on familiar ground though. I did notice today that there are a large number of trees marked for removal, some of these are beautiful and mature trees. I know there is an amount of managing needed but can't see the point of removing some of them. I did get to wondering whether a map of these is drawn up or if they just rely on the paint on the trees. I wonder what would happen if you were to mark many more trees in the same way they do, would they fell the lot mercilessly?
Some beautiful trees are going to be missed. Shame
Are they marked for removal or has some people been in the woods paint balling.
There never used to be ticks in any numbers in the forest, I have been walking it naked for over 50 years. I wonder if it is the cattle that are spreading them around.
There's a huge problem with ticks in Thetford Forest and it's primarily down to the huge numbers of deer. People get all upset about deer culling, but they're also upset with the idea of reintroducing wolves (their natural predator).
Went out today, saw a few people from a far and couldn't believe how many were wearing parker type coats and woolly hats, makes you wonder what they think as a naked bloke strolls past.
Met a bloke walking his dog across the common, as he approached I thought "here we go" he looked that type.
I took a couple of paces to the right off the main path to give him room, as he neared me he headed straight at me so I stopped ready for some hassle.
"well" he says " you could not have picked a better day for it". " It doesn't bother you" I reply. " No mate I cant fault you, if that's what you want to do, Hats off to you" he says.
We chatted for a few minutes I fussed his dog, missing mine again. And he bid me a good walk.
Just shows you can't take people on first impressions.
It was a lovely evening and the sun was hot on the skin as I walked.
@tribalbrit I was out with 2 others this afternoon, the sun shone for the first 3/4 of the way round. Then the thunderstorm rain and cold wind hit. There was no point dressing so grinned and bared it till back to the car. Spoke to one couple who were very friendly but there weren't many people around today.
Just checked out the walk to Spurn head on a map. Coastal walks of that sort really appeal to me...one for my 'list'. Endless views up the Humber and out to see I should think?
One life...live it !...there is no rehearsal!
I was lucky got a nice day. If it had been dull or wet it would have been horrendous very exposed. The tide needs to be out otherwise your restricted to the road up the centre, this is lined with high sand dunes to the sea view but can see up the humber.
The 3 mile walk down the beach was great, big expense of sand, sea side. Nature reserve humber side.
Seals on the beach. I loved it.
"There are a group of 11 maybe 12 pines at the bottom of the south forest next to the gate, look to be marked for removal, totally isolated from anything else but add character to this area. I see no need for their removal."
Could it be that they are removing species that are not native to the area? Pines have a particular characteristic in changing the soil so that native trees are not comfortable nearby. In New Zealand, there is a huge project involving the poisoning of non-native species for this reason.
Maybe, I don't know. I just think it a shame to destroy mature trees for the sake of it. The ones I mention stand alone and are bothering nothing, as far as I can see.
Next on the agenda could well be the very mature Pine on the top of the hill which gives a certain character to the whole place IMO.
Part of the oddity of managing a place like Sherwood is that altough the pines are non-native to the region they provide habitat to certain priority species, as well as providing a crop income to support management. It's a very complicated landscape of nationally important habitats, the heathland being the most significant and at risk from encroachment by the others - and yes particularly tree species that would alter the soil.
The Robin Hood thing might be a fair point, but I remember back a few years to that American consortium who were going to build a theme park but couldn't secure enough financing for the council to give them the go ahead. Like the previous visitor centre that really was rotting to pieces and costing the council a lot to keep going, there's much to suggest perhaps there isn't enough tangible stuff to the Robin Hood legend to make managing Sherwood work that way. If he'd existed and left us a castle or cottage or really anything at all, that might be different, something worth seeing. All we have is one sad looking tree and the big lie about him hiding in it.
BTW, noticed there is a Nightjar walk advertised for the 5th June, it's an evening affair, 8:45 but I know it goes out onto the common if anybody is out late and wants to avoid it... or go to the event clothed and see/hear the birds, they're pretty amazing.
I thought the Nightjars were around in August and have seen people out there around 10 pm watching them. Or was that something else?
I did walk across their view once unaware that I had about 20 sets of binoculars on me until it was to late.
I don't believe the Robin Hood spiel either but it is what draws the tourists to the area and their much needed cash to the local businesses
Wonder why the Parliament Oak doesn't get as much interest?
On the nightjars, early June is best because the males are still divvying up territory, more churring and display flights, it calms down a bit once eggs have hatched. There are also glowworm walks around that same time of year, I think mostly around Birklands.
Not that I'd expect much action from either creature if this weather keeps up.
Had a lovely 6 mile naked walk with Robert today. It was sunny most of the time. Just as we set off there were two guys talking. As we passed by one of them was very pleasant and said I bet that feels nice. The other started saying how disgusting it was and that groups of men go waling round naked when it is busy in front of lots of children. This is how misinformation is spread. We met the forestry workers part way round and got the thumbs up from them. Apart from that hardly anyone else around.
Can't remember last time I saw any children up that end of the forest.
I'm struggling to get out at the moment due to a foot injury, don't know what I've done but struggle to put any weight on it.