Date: Saturday 14th November
Location: Berkshire College of Agriculture, Burchetts Green near Maidenhead

Guest speaker, Stuart King, has spent a lifetime researching, recording and collecting anything about the rural past. Born in Holmer Green, he played as a child in the local beech woods where he developed a deep love for the Chilterns. As well as a historian, Stuart is an artist craftsman and can demonstrate many traditional woodworking skills. He will talk about the trades and traditions of those who shaped the countryside over centuries, especially the bodgers.

Project volunteers will then tell their experiences of researching special trees and woods across the Chilterns over the last year, sharing with us the stories of our past they have found.

Booking for this free event is essential. Make sure you book early to confirm your place.

The Special Trees and Woods Project has discovered many fascinating stories behind the Chiltern trees and woods, many of which are found on the interactive map.

This September there is a chance to see some of the trees and listen to their stories in a series of events celebrating Heritage Open Days. Organised as part of a national annual event co-ordinated by the Civic Trust, all these events are free.

Saturday 12th September
Join Special Trees & Woods Project volunteer Malcolm Wiles and arboretum curator Barbara Rippington for a one-hour guided walk on which you will learn about the history of Priestfield Arboretum and hear about its special trees.  The arboretum contains a varied collection of conifers and other trees which its founder, Thomas Priest, started planting in the 1920s.  Every genus of conifer which will grow in Britain is represented in the collection.  After falling into disrepair for some years, the arboretum was re-discovered in the early 1980s and a restoration programme is now well underway. 

Meet at 10.30 am at the start of the footpath to the arboretum which is in Stony Lane, Little Kingshill, grid reference SU 900 992.  Wear your wellies!  Stony Lane is a narrow, unmade road.  As there is no car park, please park cars considerately so that residents are not inconvenienced. 

Sunday 13th September
Join Special Trees & Woods Project volunteer and local archaeologist, John Laker, to discover what makes Pullingshill Wood a special wood. 

This 4½ mile circular walk will take in the First World War training trenches at Pullingshill Woods, Marlow Common and Bovingdon Green.  The walk includes some steep/muddy sections so sturdy footwear is required.   
Meet at 10 am at the junction of Marlow Road and Pound Lane, grid reference SU 839 858.  Parking is available on local roads.

Sunday 13th September
Join Special Trees and Woods Project volunteers, Trevor and Philip Hussey, to discover why they recorded Naphill Common as a special wood. 

On this 2 mile circular walk we will learn about the importance of ponds on ancient sites and visit ponds used by the drovers for their cattle.  The walk will also explore the Romano-British earthworks on the Common and take in several of the oldest beech and oak trees.

Meet at 2.30 pm in the car park of Naphill village hall, grid reference SU 847 968.  Wear your wellies!

Booking is essential for these free events.  Please call 01844 355525 or email rsanderson@chilternsaonb.org to book your places.  Book early to avoid disappointment!