Councillor John Cottee urges you to make a new date with the Robin Hood Festival

This year’s Festival, which we’ve been organising for the past 26 years, moves to the five days from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 August rather than its traditional first week of August. It’s the biggest celebration in the country of Robin Hood and is held at Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. It attracts fans and visitors from every corner of the globe. The Festival 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, whilst medieval combat displays and markets stalls recreate the atmosphere of Robin’s Sherwood Forest. The event will be packed full of medieval festivities ideal for Robin Hood enthusiasts and for the whole family.  Crowds will have the chance to 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. Visitors can also watch a falconry display with majestic birds of prey sweeping through the ancient forest on the Wednesday and Sunday. Activities at the Festival will run from 11am to 4pm each day and range from jugglers and jesters to living history re-enactment. The action is focused in and around the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, but costumed characters and entertainers can also be encountered strolling on the Major Oak path. The ever-popular live jousting tournaments will take place on a grassed arena near Edwinstowe Cricket Ground, only five to 10 minutes walk from the Centre on the Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Free daily programmes will be available to pick up as visitors enter the site. 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. The towm 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 Visitors are advised to check the Festival website for directions because of a nearby road closure. 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.