Experience Sherwood Through the Ages this weekend

The popular annual family weekend event is organised by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with EventPlan and will focus on a number of key periods in the history of the forest.

Visitors can enjoy taking a trip back in time along the circular Major Oak path as different periods of history are explored at the event on Saturday and Sunday, 11am- 4.30pm both days.

Two significant periods of history surround the evolution of the British Red Coats – with British troops from different time periods featuring in Sherwood Through the Ages this year.

The Red Coats from 1645 who were serving during the Civil War were extremely active in the Sherwood region at the time – the Great North Road ran through the forest so control of this became vital to both Royalists and Parliamentarians – especially with Sherwood’s proximity to Newark.

The Red Coats from 1776 acted to ‘police’ Sherwood Forest to protect travellers from highwayman who lurked in the forest.

People can see the evolution of the Red Coats from this 130-year period and the differences in their uniform and equipment, as well as how they lived and worked as part of the living history event.

Councillor John Knight, committee chairman for culture, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are justifiably proud of Sherwood Forest which has witnessed so many intriguing chapters in its history. Sherwood Through the Ages successfully portrays these different periods of time from and is an exciting and fun event for the whole family.”

Other periods of history explored include the ancient Sherwood Saxon settlers, to medieval forest and a military training ground during the World War years, as well as today’s current location as an internationally famous country park.

People will also be captivated by lively clashes between Saxons and armoured Normans and two compelling encounters between Sherwood’s famous outlaw Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham!

Howard Giles, from Eventplan said: “Sherwood’s circular one-mile long Major Oak walk is the ideal setting for this hugely enjoyable walk through history, with colourful encampments and displays in chronological order of time.”

Performers highlighting different periods of history at Sherwood Forest include:

• Romans and Britons: (The Vicus)

• 5th Century - Anglo-Saxon settlers: (Wulfingas AD450 Society)

• 12th and 13 Century - Anglo-Normans: (The Knights Hospitaller Association and Re-enacting Ancient Times Society.)

• 15th Century - Wars of the Roses era: (Sir John Savile’s Household)

• Civil War soldiers and camp followers: (Sir Robert Overton’s of The Fairfax Battalia).

• 18th Century – (Highwaymen of Stand and Deliver)

• WWI: Manchester Regiment, 1914-18 and Alex Burnham Photography.

• WWII: 1939-45 Allied Association and Virtue to Victory Plus wartime-era cars.

• Post War Malaysian Emergency: (Foreign Field).

• 1960s Civil Defence volunteers (The Bluejackets)

• Cold War: British Army on exercise: (Forces 80 and Call Sign Alpha).

There will be historical traders selling a variety of items from different periods in history and displays from today’s county council rangers and examples of current conservation work.

Admission to the event is free and car parking costs £5 per day.

For more details visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson or www.eventplan.co.uk where you can download the full programme.