Forestry Commission reassures local people

The Forestry Commission are reassuring local families that they have no connection with the Lapland New Forest attraction and that the festive programme at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, run in conjunction with East Dorset District Council, is still going ahead.

Following the closure of the Lapland attraction, the Forestry Commission in the New Forest and Moors Valley Country Park and Forest near Ringwood have had calls from concerned members of the public.

Bruce Rothnie, Head of Recreation and Strategy at the Forestry Commission’s Lyndhurst office said, "Concerned members of the public had been contacting us, and the Moors Valley Country Park and Forest in the mistaken belief that we have some involvement with the Lapland New Forest attraction.

"Whilst neither the Commission nor the country park had any connection with Lapland New Forest, we do offer festive fun activities every year and this year is no exception with a wonderful range of Christmas activities for adults and children.”

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is offering a full programme of family activities up to Christmas. For example, children can meet Santa and hear wonderful forest stories and hunt for magic golden pine cones while Santa Special train rides are available on the miniature steam railway on 7 and 14 December.

Some of the events are free while some charge a nominal amount (although there is a charge to park at Moors Valley).

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is located just 10 miles north of Bournemouth on the Dorset/Hampshire border. For details of current events, call 01425 470721 or visit www.moors-valley.co.uk.