06-05-2025
Memories of woodland fun and the work of the Forestry Commission
Our local forests have long been hives of activity, and we're looking back at some of the events they've hosted and the organisation responsible for them.
A training day for childminders at Whinlatter Forest (Image: Newsquest)
The Forestry Commission is a government department responsible for the management of publicly owned forests and the regulation of both public and private forestry in England.
Forestry Commission harvest and site supervisor Paul Allen with a £300,000 harvester (Image: Newsquest)
It was established in 1919 to expand Britain's forests and woodland, which had been severely depleted during the First World War. The commission bought large amounts of agricultural land on behalf of the state, eventually becoming the largest manager of land in Britain.
Adrian Jones, manager at the Forestry Commission at Whinlatter (Image: Newsquest)
Today, the Forestry Commission is divided into three divisions: Forestry England, Forestry Commission and Forest Research. Over time, its purpose broadened to include many other activities beyond timber production.
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Shane Lowe, 16, of Tebay, won the prestigious John Muir Trust Conserver Award thanks to his work with the Forestry Commission (Image: Newsquest)
One major activity is scientific research, some of which is carried out in research forests across Britain. Recreation is also important, with several outdoor activities being actively promoted. Protecting and improving biodiversity across England's forests are a further part of the Forestry Commission's remit.
Bike specialist Cyclewise Whinlatter and the Forestry Commission created two new courses for the young mountain bike enthusiast (Image: Newsquest)
Before the setting up of separate bodies for Scotland, the organisation managed almost 700,000 hectares (about 1.7 million acres) of land in England and Scotland, making it the country's biggest land manager.
Brownies from Cleator Moor teamed up with the Forestry Commission to mark their centenary and help make the area greener (Image: Newsquest)
Deforestation was the main reason for the creation of the commission in 1919. Britain had only five per cent of its original forest cover left and the government wanted to create a strategic resource of timber.
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Claire Steel and Savannah Carruthers, three, from Workington meet The Gruffalo on the Forestry Commission's trail (Image: Newsquest)
Since then forest coverage has doubled and the commission's remit expanded to include greater focus on sustainable forest management and maximising public benefits. Woodland creation continues to be an important role of the commission, and it works closely with government to achieve its goal of 12 per cent forest coverage by 2060, championing initiatives such as The Big Tree Plant and Woodland Carbon Code.
Tawny owl numbers were soaring at the Forestry Commission's Kielder Forest (Image: Newsquest)
The Forestry Commission is also the government body responsible for the regulation of private forestry in England; felling is generally illegal without first obtaining a licence from the commission. It is also responsible for encouraging new private forest growth and development. Part of this role is carried out by providing grants in support of private forests and woodlands.
