THOUSANDS came to celebrate and learn about woodland tradition at London’s biggest wooded area on Sunday.
Ruislip Woods Festival was boosted by a rare burst of warm, sunny weather. Organisers estimated that 3,000 people descended on Ruislip Lido to enjoy the usual mix of Morris dancing, falconry, tug-of-war and chainsaw carving, plus new attractions that included daytime astronomy.
Ruislip Woods Trust secretary Debbie Valman, said: “We were very lucky with the weather. The children really enjoyed meeting the birds of prey and an owl, which swooped just above their noses as they were lying down.
“It is a great event and long may Hillingdon Council continue to support it.”
West of London Astronomical Society, building on the popularity of its Stargazing events at the lido in January, offered a chance to view the sun in a different light through a filtered telescope. There was also a workshop showing how charcoal is made and a storyteller recalled ancient woodland life.
Visitors may have been less impressed, however, by several traffic wardens seen patrolling surrounding roads looking for illegally parked cars.
The council hopes to solve this problem in time for next year’s festival by building a new 150-space car park on an area of Willow Lawn next to where Sunday’s festival was held. A planning application is due to be voted on by councillors in the next few weeks.
n Tea for two: Eastcote House Gardens serves up a tasty deal – see page 9.
