Natural England

Forget the Olympics, this is your chance to take part in fun activities that are geared to appeal to everyone.

On Saturday 30th The Great Western Community Forest is holding its 10th Forest Festival at The Lawn in Old Town, Swindon which will feature the exciting 3G Woodland Games. Entry is free and young and old will be encouraged to take part in such diverse events as Health Walks, Wacky Cycles, Quoits, Gymnastics and Orienteering. There will also be a cycling agility course as well as more relaxed activities such as Yoga and Belly Dancing.

The Woodland Games are part of a project funded by Natural England in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, the Forestry Commission and the Great Western Community Forest aimed at promoting the use of green spaces and woodland areas in and around Swindon by all age groups, from children right through to their grand parents.

Natural England’s Regional Director Janette Ward said “We are all now aware of the benefits of physical activity and Green Exercise is a really effective way of getting fit while having fun. These Games offer a real opportunity to dispel the perception that exercising to get fitter is a chore.”

Heather Lilley, Community Education Officer for the Great Western Community Forest team said : " We are getting ready for the best Forest Festival yet - it's our 10th anniversary and we're so pleased to be working with the Woodland Games Officer to bring another new angle to this established annual event"

For more details and photographs contact:
Heather Lilley, Community Education Officer, Great Western Community Forest 01793 466317 or 07786 020960
www.forestweb.org.uk or

Christine White, Natural England 01392 457408 or 07900 608017
www.naturalengland.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Green Exercise is any informal physical activity that takes place outdoors: from gardening, cycling and walking in urban green areas, to kite flying and conservation projects. It has proven positive physical (keeping mobile, getting fit), social (developing new friendships and interests) and mental impacts (calming, confidence building) on our wellbeing and is seen as one of the most cost-effective ways of improving the nation’s health.



2. Natural England has given a grant of £90,000 over 3 years towards the costs of the 3 Generation Woodland Games project. The aim of the project '3G Woodland Games' is to improve the physical and mental well being of residents within the Great Western Community Forest through targeted programmes of forest sports and games using local woodlands.



3. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.



4. The Great Western Community Forest is one of 12 Community Forests in England and the project is all about:

• Improving the local environment together
• Planting 15 million trees
• Creating new homes for wildlife
• Providing new ways to learn about the environment
• Creating a greener place to work, live and play
• Providing better access to the countryside