Celebrating the women of Sherwood Forest on International Women's Day

The inspirational women of Sherwood Forest will be celebrated in March with a special weekend of events.

The forest will be marking International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13, with a range of activities to highlight achievements and lives from the Middle Ages to the present day.

A historical trail, devised by the Sherwood Forest Trust, will guide visitors through the forest, learning more about just some of Nottinghamshire’s influential women as they go while using clues to identify them. A prize is on offer.

An RSPB exhibition will highlight the achievements of women who have helped to shape the Sherwood landscape, or to put the area on the map through their work and influence, including the charity’s own founders.

There will also be appearances and talks from the charity’s chief executive, Beccy Speight, and Emma Marsh, director of RSPB England.

Jess Dumoulin, visitor experience manager at Sherwood Forest, said: “This weekend will be a celebration of the hugely important role of women in the conservation and the social history of Sherwood Forest and North Nottinghamshire.

“In many ways, the portrayal and characteristics of Maid Marian throughout the legend of Robin Hood demonstrates how long this area has been associated with strong female figures.

“In addition, the RSPB is a charity founded by women in the early 20th Century and which is now the UK’s largest conservation organisation.

“Its first president was the Duchess of Portland, whose seat was at nearby Welbeck Abbey.

“Connections like these make Sherwood Forest absolutely the right place to focus on the achievements of so many great women and to inspire current and future generations to follow their lead and create their own lasting legacy.”

A range of guided walks will be available during the weekend with a focus on conservation, wellbeing and, of course, a walk with the inimitable Maid Marian, led by Marian herself.

Music and dance performances include a Medieval re-enactment from The Lord Thomas Stanley Retinue, painting a picture of life in the 15th Century.

Conservation workshops, fun crafts and games, and traders’ stalls will be at the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre across both days.