The One Show wildlife presenter officially opens new Sherwood Forest visitor centre

The official opening of Sherwood Forest's new visitor centre saw a welcome return for one dedicated supporter of the reserve.
BBC One Show's Mike Dilger, TV's Phil Rose (aka Friar Tuck), and county council representatives at the new visitor centre.BBC One Show's Mike Dilger, TV's Phil Rose (aka Friar Tuck), and county council representatives at the new visitor centre.
BBC One Show's Mike Dilger, TV's Phil Rose (aka Friar Tuck), and county council representatives at the new visitor centre.

Mike Dilger, wildlife presenter on the BBC’s The One Show, began his conservation career in Nottinghamshire when he worked on projects with both the University of Nottingham and at Sherwood Forest nature reserve.

Mike returned to the forest to celebrate the official opening of the visitor centre, which opened its doors properly for the Robin Hood Festival in August following a takeover from conservation organisation The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

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Upon returning to the centre, Mike said: “One of my jobs whilst I was working here 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 return and I am amazed by the new visitor centre.

“I cannot wait find out more about the future plans for this special forest.”

Around 200 people looked on as the Major Oak Pop Choir sang songs to welcome guests.

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Other guests included Phil Rose, who is known to millions as Friar Tuck in the 1980s programme Robin of Sherwood.

During the official opening Gemma Harworth, senior site manager at the new centre, said she was happy to see so many people that helped bring the project to life and to celebrate “a new chapter”.

She 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.”

“It is great to see so many of those who played a part in this process coming to see what they helped to create, now the building is complete and operational.

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“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.”