Had a great walk on the sculpture trail through the Forest of Dean last Saturday with my nephew Daniel. Some of the pieces are quite monumental including a large chair on an outlook over the forest and an 'observatory' similar to that in New Delhi, although made of wood and not sandstone. Starting from the visitor centre at Beechenhurst we wandered through groves of spruce edged with chestnut, oak and birch, pausing to take in some outstanding works as well as some that left us a little underwhelmed.The Forestry Commission, through its commercial arm Forest Enterprise, has done a sterling job both in the Forest of Dean but also at Grizedale in the Lake District promoting environmental art and sculptures. These trails attract thousands of visitors a year and permit the visitor to engage in many different ways. For 11 year old Daniel they were climbing frames or play equipment, but to others we saw they provided an opportunity to reflect on the strong connections we still have with our natural environment.
At one point I was able to get a little peace as Daniel wandered off to look for leopard spoor (honestly!) and as I looked up through the canopy, straining my eyes into the bright summer sun I was reminded of Dennis Potter's wonderful TV series 'The Singing Detective' when the main character thinks back to his boyhood in the Forest, repeating to himself the mantra "The Oak, the Elm, the Ash" (think I've remembered it correctly - it was more than 20 years ago). There really is something quite amazing about mature trees and their ability to calm the adult mind whilst at the same time exciting the younger visitor by offering climbing opportunities. Whether it is possible to accommodate both audiences at the same time is something else....
