News
Podcast project captures sound of famous Major Oak
In a world first, Miner2Major’s Voices from Sherwood Forest podcast has revealed the sounds of the ancient Major Oak tree, Robin Hood’s famous 1000-year-old hideout.
The podcast has been produced by the Miner2Major landscape scheme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as a means of capturing voices and stories from local communities and organisations. Miner2Major’s Engagement Officer Helen Mitchem has interviewed a variety of people including ex-miners, youth workers, musicians and nature conservationists, who have been involved in the scheme which celebrates the important habitats, special species and rich heritage of Sherwood Forest.
The most recent episode features an unprecedented ‘interview’ with the Major Oak, and for the first time ever, the world can hear its voice! Joining the discussion is Rob James from the RSPB, the organisation that manages Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve where the ancient tree resides. The sounds of the Major Oak were recorded by Alex Metcalf as part of his Tree Listening Project, which previously featured on BBC One’s CountryFile. It is a travelling, education tool used to facilitate a deeper understanding of how trees work and to engage people with nature. Alex uses highly sensitive microphones to detect the sound of ‘popping’ when the ascending water mixes with air in the xylem (the tissue which transports water from the roots to the leaves). On the podcast, the sound you can hear for the very first time is the noise of this movement happening inside the tree.
Helen Mitchem Miner2Major’s Engagement Officer invited Alex to help her connect with our county’s famous tree: “It was a really incredible moment to be the first person to hear the sounds of the Major Oak. The tree sounds very active and strong and I thought it would be a great idea to include these noises as part of my series of podcasts, who else can say they’ve interviewed (and had a reply from) the Major Oak!”
Rob James, RSPB Communications Officer for Sherwood Forest, said: “Being able to capture the sound of this incredible tree is wonderful. Those of us who work at Sherwood Forest feel privileged just to be able to marvel at it each day, but to hear otherwise inaudible sounds from within it was very humbling indeed, and a reminder that, even after a phenomenal 1,100 years, it is still a true living icon of nature.”
You can listen to the podcast, Voices from Sherwood Forest, on Spotify.
Heritage Trees Project Hosts It's 9th Tree Planting Event in Kirkby-in-Ashfield
The Miner2Major Landscape Partnership Scheme worked with The Sherwood Forest Trust (SFT) to deliver the ‘Heritage Trees Project’. The Trust hosted 10 community tree planting events throughout the diverse landscape of the former Royal Hunting Forest and North Nottinghamshire coalfields.
These planting events were focused around commemorating well-known stories in local history and celebrating the contribution that trees make to our environment and our culture.
The 9th event of this project took place in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on the 18th October, when children from Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School attended the event at Nuncargate Recreation Ground to celebrate local cricket legends, Harold Larwood and Bill Voce, who both grew up in the area and played for Nottinghamshire and England teams. The children took part in a range of activities, including tree planting with SFT, willow weaving with Lincoln Willow, and some have-a-go cricket activities with Little Wickets.
They also planted 3 willow trees on the Recreation Ground, which were the nominated tree of choice by the community. This rapidly-growing tree produces white wood which is highly sought after and makes the finest cricket bats used by professional cricketers around the world.
Katie, Community Conservation Officer from the Trust said:
“The overall project is a great way of getting members of the community involved with activities that are both good for the environment, and also allow them to learn more about their local history and culture. The trees planted as part of the project will be admired in years to come and we hope they are a reminder of these important historical stories”.
A spokesperson for Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School said:
"We truly had a fabulous morning when we joined you at Nuncargate. The children were so full of enthusiasm and pride in what they had achieved. The team you had leading the activities were patient and inspiring and I know the children learnt a lot from them. I am sure that in years to come, the trees will be recognised and celebrated by our school".
M2M Veiled Landscape Project at Sherwood Pines Leads to Unique Findings
The M2M Veiled Landscape Project teamed up with Forestry England to help shed more light on the archaeology buried within Sherwood Pines. A crew of volunteers assembled from Operation Nightingale and Forestry England have excavated three archaeological targets within the WWI training trenches within the forest. Soil samples were collected and processed to help us understand the environment of the past, and a metal detector and unexploded ordnance officer were also on site to lead in the discovery of a number of fascinating finds.
We thank our volunteers who braved the very wet conditions to help us better understand this important relic landscape and improve the management of the WWI trench network within the Sherwood Pines.
M2M launches The Big Draw: Time to Connect project
The Big Draw 2023: Time to Connect project joined six nature and heritage sites across the county in the form of a brand-new art trail!
We joined Inspire for the Big Draw project to help leave a legacy of artworks in key locations across Sherwood Forest.
We worked with visual artists Mandy Keating, Tracey Meek and sculptor Chris Campbell who worked with groups across the chosen venues to create the artworks.
This work is part of a wider national project working with renowned portrait photographer, Alistair Morrison. Alistair has created Time to Connect, photographing people and places around the UK and Nottinghamshire is the starting point for this journey!
Take Time to Connect to new people, places and environments. Find out more about the project.
Sherwood Forest Up Close Photography Exhibition to tour Libraries
An exhibition of images by natural history photographer Alex Hyde showcasing some of the special species of Sherwood Forest close up and in fascinating detail toured Nottinghamshire libraries in 2023.
Sherwood Forest Up Close was a fascinating insight into the smaller, often hidden species that are essential to the complex ecosystem of the Sherwood Forest landscape.
The Miner2Major project commissioned natural history photographer Alex Hyde to visit sites across the Sherwood Forest area to open our eyes to the wonder of these species.
A selection of his photographs from these visits were used to create the exhibition.
Miner2Major Launches 2023 Knitting Challenge!
The Miner2Major Landscape Partnership Scheme, Inspire, Nottinghamshire Police, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Creative Lives supported Nottinghamshire crafters to make Brave Bears for charities working with children in times of need.
We worked with local textile designer Megan Crook, who designed Brave Bear knitting and crochet patterns, decorated with a special Sherwood Forest acorn motif.
At the end of the exhibition the Brave Bears were distributed to charities working with children in times of need by Nottinghamshire Police.
Arrow Sculpture Installed at Rainworth Heath Nature Reserve
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust proudly unveiled its new sculpture at Rainworth Heath Nature Reserve – a giant oak arrow - which pays tribute to the area’s captivating heritage, it’s past and present and deep connection with local legends. The sculpture is the result of a year-long engagement project, delivered by Inspire Youth Arts through Miner2Major.
The sculpture was created in collaboration with young people from Dawn House School, Joseph Whitaker School, and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Young Rangers. Artist Richard Janes facilitated workshops with the schoolchildren, working with them on themes of mining, local heritage, and nature over the last year. The children were introduced to wood carving techniques then given the opportunity to ‘make their own mark’ and add their own carvings to the sculpture themselves under Janes’ guidance. The sculpture’s final design features an image of a miner and local wildlife species from the Rainworth Heath site.
Crafted entirely from oak, the final artwork resembles a colossal arrow shot into the ground. Purposefully designed to fuse the rich history of the area with the local landscape and blend into the natural surroundings of the reserve.
The oak arrow sits at the heart of the Rainworth Heath site and will weather naturally. Visitors to the area are encouraged to come and see the sculpture and discover more of the site and its local walks – which is located adjacent to the former Rufford colliery site. The Rainworth Heath Nature Reserve is managed by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and is one of the last remaining areas of heathland in Nottinghamshire, home to many species of birds, insects, and plants in the heart of the Sherwood Forest area.
The project has been a creative way to engage young people in Nottinghamshire with the natural landscape and local history. Sculptor Richard Janes worked with both schools involved the project and produced sculptures for each school that link with the Rainworth Heath work.
Step into Sherwood Voices this Spring
A new audio walking experience voiced by Nottinghamshire residents takes you on a journey through the stories and culture of the Sherwood Forest area.
Residents and visitors to Nottinghamshire can step into Sherwood Voices, a series of six audio walks written and directed by Excavate's Andy Barrett, and led by Sherwood people, who invite listeners to take an audio-guided tour of Robin Hood country.
Episodes feature personal stories, experiences, and points of view from people who live in the Sherwood Forest area to inspire people to visit and explore the heart of Nottinghamshire.
The towns and villages of the Sherwood Forest region are full of diverse wildlife, important habitats, fascinating people, and a rich heritage of stories.
The walks have been created through hours of conversation with people from across the Sherwood Forest area. Alongside storytellers, listeners will hear from shepherds, anglers, undertakers, park rangers, vicars, schoolchildren, and many others.
Sherwood Voices is led by Excavate and supported by Inspire, Miner2Major, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.