“A FANTASTIC weekend” from Saturday May 26 to Monday May 29, drew thousands of visitors to the Forest to find out about one of its most ancient crafts and celebrated the memory of “a truly lovely man.”

The Fire and Wood Festival at Dean Heritage Centre centred around the charcoal burn which has taken place on the site for several years.

And this year’s event began with a memorial to Pete Ralph who died recently, and had organised the heritage centre’s charcoal burn for 25 years.

“This year’s charcoal burn was in memory of Pete who will be remembered with great fondness. It was down to Pete that it still happened,” said centre manager Joanne Clarke, “and that a traditional burn still takes place at the Dean Heritage Centre.

“Peter used to man the burn and sorted out the volunteers. He’ll be greatly missed, as he was a truly lovely man.

“We held a memorial lighting ceremony on Saturday, which saw four generations of the Ralph family in attendance.

“Edwina Bell, who took over running the charcoal burn read a poem she had written in Pete’s memory and Pete’s wife Beryl lit the stack.”

The Fire and Wood Festival included volunteers from Men’s Shed in Whitecroft, who share skills and undertake practical projects.

Artists and crafts people took part and Drybrook Male Voice Choir sang at the centre on Saturday, while there were demonstrations of heritage skills and workshops on site.

“We auctioned two Gruffalo’s Child sculptures by resident wood sculptor, Clayton Ry- der and raised £200 towards next year’s event,” Joanne added.

“It was a fantastic weekend and it was great to see so many people on site.”

Dean Heritage Centre currently has activities running through half-term and will welcome Opera Anywhere to the site in the summer, with their production of Pirates of Penzance.

To find out more, visit www.deanheritagecentre.com