A COUNTRYSIDE fair is being held at Moors Valley Country Park from 11am until 4pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Primitive fire lighting, looking at plants for food and other bushcraft skills will be demonstrated in four sessions throughout the day.

The popular have-a-go at digger driving returns and there’s the chance to get up close to a host of different birds of prey in a static display by Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre. You will also be able to see these majestic birds in a daily flying display.

Moors Valley’s latest totem pole will be completed at the fair, as Rachel Huggett adds the final touches with a British wildlife theme.

This is just one of the many wood-related exhibits on show.

New Forest Coppice Crafts will be selling their creations including walking sticks and bee houses and demonstrating Gypsy peg making.

Woodworking and pole-lathing, chainsaw carving, hurdle making and the ancient art of shrink pot making will also be on display.

Communications ranger Katie Davies said: “This is a great event offering the chance to see a variety of both traditional and modern countryside skills and also to have a go.

“We hope people of all ages will leave the fair feeling inspired and ready to get out into the countryside.”

Forestry Comm-ission officers will be there to chat about working woodlands and upcoming harvesting work in the forests around Moors Valley.

Visit them to look at the plans and learn about their operations – for timber production, wildlife conservation and recreational opportunities. For budding young foresters there will be an opportunity to dress up in safety gear.

The New Forest National Park Authority will be on hand with their information unit including a nature table with deer skins, antlers and other artefacts. Children will be able to decorate wood cookies or make pine cone animals. Chalk carving, a chance to have a go at orienteering and fungi forays are also among the events on offer. Admission to the countryside fair is free, however parking charges apply.

For more information visit moors-valley.co.uk or call 01425 470721.