Mike Dilger, the wildlife presenter on the BBC’s The One Show, returned to Sherwood Forest to officially open a new £5m visitor centre , built by local construction company, Woodhead Group.
Mike, a naturalist who has become a regular on the nation’s TV screens, began his conservation career in Nottinghamshire, working for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers after graduating from the University of Nottingham.
”One of my jobs whilst I was working there as a Conservation Volunteer Coordinator was to put up a new fence around the Major Oak, so it ’s a location I know well and as such is a place close to my heart. I ’ m delighted to be returning, and cannot wait to see the new visitor centre and find out more about the future plans for this special forest, ” said Mike. The new centre opened to the public this summer, in time to host the 34 th annual Robin Hood Festival, but last week’s launch was a chance for many dignitaries and businesses who have supported the project to have a look at the building.
And there’s nobody more pleased to see the building standing proud than father and daughter team, Andy and Amy Stamford.
The pair both work for lead contractor, Woodhead Group, as Site Manager (Andy) and Quantity Surveyor (Amy) on the project. The pair have worked tirelessly alongside a team of local tradespeople to create the fantastic new £5m Sherwood Forest visitor centre, which will be run and managed by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
The new centre will aim to give a big boost for the local economy once open, and has already made its mark. Woodhead is based in the village of Edwinstowe, just a stone’s throw from the new centre, and the team has spent more than 90% of the cost of the project within a 40-mile radius of the site.
From LtoR: Mike Dilger, Phil Rose, Cllr Kevin Rostance, Cllr Kay Cutts (Leader of Notts CC), Robin Hood and other County Council representatives
Andy Stamford said a lot of time and effort went into ensuring that so much of the build was resourced locally: “Woodhead is a local family firm, committed to this area, so I think everyone who has been involved in this project has a great deal to be proud of. It’s not just a wonderful looking building but a great asset for this area.”
Gemma Howarth, RSPB senior site manager, said :“Whilst the last 12 months of building has been a huge focus for us, the project dates back much further than this, and includes years of planning to help bring it to fruition,” she said.
“We recognise that a project of this ambition needs backing from so many different quarters. We are especially thankful for the support of the local village residents and groups, and plan to host a community event to celebrate with them a little later in the year.”
Councillor John Cottee, Committee Chairman for Communities and Place, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It is a landmark occasion to witness the official opening of the new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre. As a county council, we have demonstrated our total commitment to the project from the start with our investment of £4m. Our world-famous Sherwood Forest, historic Major Oak and legendary Robin Hood will go from strength to strength following the completion of this scheme.”
Phil Rose, known to millions as Friar Tuck from the hit TV programme Robin of Sherwood, was also among the guests at the official opening, still fulfilling his role as the Friar .
The facility, which cost more than £5 million, was completed in August following a year-long build. The building and the National Nature Reserve are managed by an RSPB-led partnership which includes Sherwood Forest Trust, Thoresby Estate and the Woodland Trust, working together with Nottinghamshire County Council, who provided £4 million towards the cost of the project. Besides partners, other funders included the Garfield Weston Foundation and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The centre includes a welcome area, new shop and café , and an outside terrace, amphitheatre and a new Robin Hood-themed playground, designed with the help of local children.
Now that the new facility is open, work will begin soon to sensitively remove the old visitor centre and car parks, to return the site to nature. The area is a designated site of special scientific interest, and highly protected, which is why a new location had to be found for a visitor facility.
For more information about the new building and future events, please see www.visitsherwood.co.uk
