Event - Robin Hood Festival starts in Sherwood Forest (Clipstone)

Today marks the start of the Robin Hood Festival - an annual celebration of the UK's most famous outlaw.


The event will run for seven days and will take place in Nottingham's Sherwood Forest.

Award-winning street artists will perform 'Medieval' battles

The festival will showcase archery, falconry, jousting and medieval entertainment in the form of music, street performance, and adventure tales.

Timetable of activities:
Wednesday - Falconry 12.00 noon & 2pm, Jousting 2.30pm
Saturday - Falconry 12.00 noon & 2pm, Jousting 2.30pm
Sunday - Falconry 12.30 & 2.15pm, Jousting 3pm

The event is free and will take place at Sherwood Forest's Visitor Centre

Nottinghamshire County Council have organised the event, which is now in it's 28th year.

Things you might not know about the Legend of Robin Hood:

The earliest reference to Robin Hood was in 1377, in a poem by William Langland called "The vision of William concerning Piers Plowman". Other historical evidence places Robin anywhere between 1190 - 1307.

The longbow was Robin's weapon of choice, made from the English yew tree.

One legend says that Robin Hood was killed by his cousin, because she didn't want him to find out that she was having an affair. Another tale is that a monk murdered him, even though he'd been brought in to help.

From: http://www.itv.com/news/central/2012-08-13/robin-hood-festival-starts-in-sherwood-forest/

Event - Countdown to Robin Hood Festival (Edwinstowe)

Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre took more than £130,000 in catering, retail sales and car parking alone last year during Nottinghamshire County Council’s annual Robin Hood Festival.

But with more than half of its 70,000 visitors coming from outside of the area and overseas, the Festival’s impact on the local economy has much wider-reaching benefits with overnight visitors spending in excess of £200 per stay, according to the local authority.

The 27th Robin Hood Festival will take place from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 August this year rather than the traditional first week of August.

The Festival’s Visitor Survey Report for 2009 (2010’s is currently being collated) shows that around one third (32%) of all visitors who travelled to the UK’s biggest celebration of Robin Hood that year, came from beyond the host county, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or South Yorkshire.

Cabinet member for culture and community Coun John Cottee said: “ Sherwood Forest is a top three visitor attraction in the East Midlands and was just pipped to a place in the top 10 of most-visited country parks in England1, so the area with its strong associations with the legendary outlaw has great pulling power for tourism anyway.

“But the fact that a third of visitors to the Festival were tourists staying overnight in the area means that their spending on accommodation, food and drink, recreation, shopping and travel plays a strong part in helping support the county’s £1.4 billion tourism industry with its 20,000 plus jobs.

“As well as changing the dates of the Festival this year, visitors should also be aware that for 2011, it will run for five days rather than a full week as part of the budget savings we’ve had to make across all service areas of the Council. And as a result, this is likely to have some effect on the income it generates this year and visitor numbers.”

In 2009:

46% of those coming to the Festival were first-time visitors

77% of visited with children

85% came by car

68% made the trip just for the Festival alone.

“Nearly 70% of visitors came to the area just for the Festival. We’ve got whole families who come back year after year – some who first visited as youngsters and now bring along their own children and those who love it so much that they now perform at the Festival,” added Counc Cottee.

“For us as the organisers, it’s about providing an event at a time of year when local people and visitors are looking for low cost, fun entertainment that appeals to all age groups, but especially families with young children. In a recession, people need good value days out and this one certainly delivers great fun for minimal cost.”

Experience Nottinghamshire marketing officer Dale Twigger said: “Word has spread as far as Eastern Europe too - this year we’ve got a group of 40 Russian Robin Hood fans, based just outside of Moscow, making a 10 day trip to celebrate their hero. This is testament to the international appeal of the Festival.

“It’s estimated that in general, an overnight visitor spends over £200 in the county during their trip, whilst a day visitor spends just under £30, and with the large visitor figures that the Festival draws, it has a significant impact into the local economy.”

Admission to the Festival is free, with car parking at £5 a day. A small charge is made for some events such as outdoor theatre performances (50p per child, £1 per adult) and ‘have-a-go’ archery (£3).

If you’re travelling by car, head to Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, just north of Edwinstowe. Visitors are advised to check the Festival website for directions because of a nearby road closure: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/robinhood.

Edwinstowe is well-served by buses and you can find details of how to plan your journey by visiting www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/timetable-f.htm

The full programme of activities has yet to be confirmed, but to find out the latest information and watch a short film, visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/robinhood

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/lifestyle/countdown_to_robin_hood_festival_1_3598234

Event - It's nearly time to make merry again at Robin Hood Festival (Edwinstowe)

NOTTS County Council is hoping this year's Robin Hood Festival will be as successful as ever.

Last year, Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre took more than £130,000 in catering, retail sales and car parking during the festival.

This year's event will take place from Wednesday, August 10 to Sunday, August 14 at the centre near Edwinstowe.

Councillor John Cottee said he was looking forward to this year's festival.

"We've got whole families who come back to the festival year after year – some who first visited as youngsters and now bring along their own children."

He added: "It's about providing an event, at a time of year when local people and visitors are looking for low-cost, fun entertainment, that appeals to all age groups, especially families with young children."

Admission to the festival is free, with car parking at £5 a day.

A small charge is made for some events such as outdoor theatre shows, which are 50p per child and £1 per adult. Archery costs £3.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/s-nearly-time-make-merry-Robin-Hood-Festival/story-12988731-detail/story.html

Event - Get set for 27th outlaw festival (Edwinstowe)

THIS year's Robin Hood Festival, in Sherwood Forest, will run from Wednesday August 10 until Sunday August 14.

It is the 27th time the event has been staged by Notts County Council

Councillor John Cottee said: "The event is the perfect day out for all the family, with costumed characters at every turn, from jugglers and jesters to medieval doctors and rat-catchers, while medieval combat displays and markets stalls recreate the atmosphere of Robin's Sherwood Forest."

Jousting contests between Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham will take place on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons near the Edwinstowe cricket ground.

Visitors can also watch a falconry display on the Wednesday and Sunday.

Activities will run from 11am to 4pm each day.

Admission is free, with car parking at £5 a day. A small charge is made for some events.

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/set-27th-outlaw-festival/story-12877067-detail/story.html

News - Robin Hood and merry men gear up for festival (Edwinstowe)

ROBIN Hood will once again ride into Sherwood Forest for the biggest celebration in the world of the legendary outlaw.

The 27th annual Robin Hood Festival is held at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and attracts fans and visitors from every corner of the globe.

The event features costumed characters at every turn, from jugglers and jesters to medieval doctors and rat catchers, whilst medieval combat displays and markets stalls recreate the atmosphere of Robin's Sherwood Forest.

The festival will take place over five days from Wednesday August 10 through to Sunday August 14 at Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre on Swinecote Road at Edwinstowe. Admission to the festival is free, with car parking costing £5 a day.

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for culture and community said: "We're excited about the plans for this year's Robin Hood Festival, not only is it great fun and a brilliant way to celebrate our local legend but gives a much needed boost to the local economy during these difficult financial times."

"Local shops, restaurants and hotels benefit from the increase of visitors to the county who come in search of the legend of Robin Hood.

"The event is popular with all age groups who enjoy the spectacle and activities in the beautiful setting of Sherwood Forest."

The event will be packed full of medieval festivities ideal for Robin Hood enthusiasts and for the whole family.

Cheer on Robin and his band of merry men during jousting contests with the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham which will take place on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

On the same afternoons watch falconry displays with majestic birds of prey sweeping through the ancient forest. As usual there will also be medieval market stalls close to the Major Oak, music and merriment at the visitor centre and costumed characters wandering the forest glades.

The full programme has yet to be confirmed, to find out the latest information visit www.nottinghamshire. gov.uk/robinhoodfestival

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