Programme for ATF conference 2016 in Dorset

Day 1 Thursday 7 July
9.00 / Arrival:
Registration / Teas and coffees / Displays and stands
10.00 / Welcome
Practicalities /arrangements for the day
Introduction to speakers and key theme for the morning:
The challenges of putting an age to trees. / Chris Knapman
ATF Co-opted Board Member, and Chair for morning session
10.10 / The Ancient Tree Inventory: Differentiating ancient from other types of tree and the differences in growth depending on conditions and location across the UK / David Alderman, Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory and Director of the Tree Register of the British Isles
10.35 / Coring trees: An arboricultural perspective / Nev Fay, Ancient Tree Forum
11.00 / Coffee break
11.20 / Ancient limes and genetic composition: Research from Belgium / Koen Smets, Flanders Heritage Agency
11.45 / Capability Brown designed landscapes and wood pasture habitat - what do saproxylic beetles have to say about continuity? / Keith Alexander, Ancient Tree Forum
12.10 / Ancient and veteran trees in Dorset, and introduction to afternoon site visits / Sean Cooch, Ancient Tree Forum / Natural England
12.35 / Lunch break and drive to afternoon site
13.30 / Drive by coach to afternoon site visit
14.00 / Field visit: Ringmoor and Turnworth Down near Blandford Forum
Approx 16.00 / Return to Dorchester
Depending on the weather and timing, we hope to return via a viewpoint over the historic landscape of the Blackmore Vale(ancient Forest of Blackmore, described in Oliver Rackham’s ‘Woodlands’) and/or some notable veteran/ancient trees
Approx
17.00 / Arrive back at Kingston Maurward
18.00 / Optional evening field visit: Herringston Estate near Dorchester
Delegates will need to travel independently to WinterborneHerringston(around 10 minute drive from Dorchester), lift-sharing as far as possible to reduce the number of cars
19.30 / Evening field visit endsnb those attending the evening supper will need to get back to Kingston Maurward promptly for the 8pm supper. Should anyone wish to leave earlier than 7.30 they are free to make their own way back independently.
20.00 / Optional conference supper at Kingston Maurward
(Bar open from 7.30 to 11.30pm)
Day 2Friday 8 July
9.00 / Arrival:
Registration / Teas and coffees / Displays and stands
9.30 / Welcome
Practicalities /arrangements for the day
Introduction to speakers and key theme for the first part of the morning:
Tercentenary of Capability Brown’s birth– what does this mean for ancient and other veteran trees?
How can we build on Brown’s legacy to meet the challenge of developing and cascading out best practice in tree management for the future, harnessing ATF collective expertise to change legislation, policy and practice by working with our elected MPs? / Brian Muelaner,
Ancient Tree Forum (outgoing Chair)
Chair for morning session
9.40 / Capability Brown - Ecological overview and the Moccas landscape design competition / Leslie Pearman, Natural England
10.05 / Wood pasture restoration at Moccas–contemporary Brown design applied to an historic park. / Saul Herbert, Natural England
10.30 / The Forest of Selwood / Julian Hight
10.55 / Coffee break
11.15 / Ancient Tree Forum: Raising best practice in management through training / Helen Read and Vikki Bengtsson, Ancient Tree Forum
11.40 / Caring for ancient trees at events –Arboricultural Association Show case study / Reg Harris, Ancient Tree Forum
12.00 / The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees / Rebecca Pow MP, Chair of the APPG
12.20 / Highlights of the past ATF year
Introduction to the new ATF Chair
Questions and arrangements for the afternoon /
/ Brian Muelaner
13.00 / Lunch break and drive to afternoon site (leaving promptly at 13.45)
Delegates will need to travel independently to this site
14.15 / Field visit: To the Minterne Estate
16.15 / Afternoon field visit ends