GUEST COLUMN: fun-filled line-up at top country parks, by Coun John Knight

Highlights at Sherwood include an exciting Archaeology of the Birklands walk with the county council’s community archaeology team and the annual Sherwood Through the Ages event which takes place at the end of May during the Bank Holiday weekend, featuring re-enactment group Dogs of War.

Meanwhile there is an introduction to spoon carving event at Rufford Abbey later this month.

For the latest news on events at the county’s country parks, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson

Some of the latest events are as follows:

Archaeology of the Birklands: Saturday May 28, 2pm to 4pm. Sherwood Forest Country Park. Free event.

Join Nottinghamshire County Council community archaeologists as they take you on a free guided afternoon stroll through the heart of Sherwood Forest to reveal the history and archaeology associated with this ancient woodland. This event involves a walk of approximately three miles and participants require a certain degree of fitness. Please meet at the visitor centre. This event is not suitable for young children, pushchairs and mobility scooters. No need to book. (£3 car parking charge)

Sherwood Through the Ages: Sunday May 29 - Monday May 30, 11am to 4pm. Sherwood Forest Country Park. Free event

Sherwood Forest has had a long history as a working woodland. Come along this bank holiday and meet some of the characters who shaped Sherwood’s past and present - Romans, Normans and Saxons, Medieval craftsmen and their families, Civil War and World War One soldiers, even the odd Highway Man or too, and of course the modern day rangers. This interactive living history experience for all the family is not to be missed. Please note this event does involve intermittent load bangs. No need to book. (£3 car parking charge)

Fragments in Time: Ongoing exhibition during abbey opening times. Rufford Country Park.

Little remains at Rufford Abbey of what was once a huge country mansion. Using old photographs, found objects and salvaged fragments, this exhibition at The Apsidal Gallery offers visitors a peep into a vanished world.

Introduction to spoon Carving: Saturday May 21, 10.15-4pm. Rufford Country Park. This is a bookable event and costs £30 per person. The event takes place in the woodland setting. Please pre-book by calling Rufford Abbey on 01623 821338.