Sponsored by
Scarborough Secret Wood event axed
SCARBOROUGH'S Secret Wood event will not be returning this year after becoming a victim of council cost-cutting.
The free attraction has traditionally been held in Raincliffe Woods on the May Day Bank Holiday but was cancelled last year and will this year be replaced by a smaller event.
Scarborough Council, which organises the Secret Wood in partnership with Natural England and Scarborough Conservation Volunteers, said it had become "a victim of its own success".
More than 5,000 people attended the last event in 2008, and the council said its growth in both size and diversity had stretched volunteer resources to the limit.
In May last year a spokesman said the event could be relaunched on a biennial basis, and it was given a further boost when it received a Big Lottery Grant of almost 7,000.
But Roger Burnett, Scarborough Council's parks and countryside manager, said: "Unfortunately the Secret Wood event will not be taking place this year due to efficiency savings needed to be made by the council.
However, the Friends of Raincliffe Woods are planning a small event, which will take place on May 3, to raise awareness of the important bird life in the woods."
The Secret Wood became a huge hit over its seven-year run, particularly with younger visitors who were kept entertained by puppet shows, face painting and hair braiding.
It was previously cancelled in 2005 as a cost-cutting measure, returning the following year offering more activities than ever.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
