FIREWOOD FESTIVALS OFF TO FLYING START

22 June 2010

FIRELIGHTING, log sculpting, woodworking, horse logging and woodland tunes were among the activities enjoyed by visitors to the Strath’s first Firewood Festival.

The event at the Insider Festival site at Inshriach on 17 June was the first of two summer festivals exploring heating with wood.

The second will take place at the Grantown Show on Thursday 12 August, where an area of the showground will be dedicated to dynamic displays and activities, with experts on hand throughout the day to answer questions..

At Inshriach, members from the pupil council at Aviemore primary school and pupils from Alvie primary school were joined by Cairngorms National Park Authority convener David Green to learn the art of friction firelighting.

Storyteller Margot Henderson had youngsters entranced with woodland tales, and craft-lovers of all ages enjoyed watching an intricate log sculpture coming to life over the course of the day.

The artwork was created by Stuart and Dan Burgess of Cairngorm Tree Care, who also demonstrated log splitting and chopping.

“We’ve had a magic time,” said Hilary Brown, head teacher of Alvie primary at Kincraig. “Everyone really enjoyed all the activities and it was a fantastic opportunity for us all.”

Locals and visitors attended talks and demonstrations later in the day and made the most of a chance to quiz the Forestry Commission’s woodfuel officer Willie Beattie and Amanda Calvert of the Greenheat programme on a host of firewood related subjects.

Rousing tunes came courtesy of the youngsters of Feis Spe, who were joined onstage by local fiddle legend Charlie McKerron, and the Woodland Orchestra brought the event to a close with an energetic and passionate performance.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has been working with a range of partners on developing a wood fuel action plan to shape the way forward for both suppliers, users and potential users of firewood in the Park.

The Firewood Festivals at the Insider and the Grantown Show are being run by the Cairngorms National Park Authority in partnership with the Clim-ATIC EU programme and Greenheat.

For further information and a wealth of valuable advice on using wood to heat your home or business see www.lowcarbon.org

For information on the Woodfuel in the Park and the Woodfuel Action Plan contact Fiona Chalmers at the Cairngorms National Park Authority fionachalmers@cairngorms.co.uk Tel: 01479 870524