A CELEBRATION of 100 years of forestry is taking place this weekend at Kielder.

Forestry England, formerly known as the Forestry Commission, plans to host a variety of activities and events to celebrate the origins of Kielder Forest which date back to the First World War when Britain faced a shortage of timber.

An area of moorland around Kielder Castle had been identified by Lord Robinson as suitable for forestry, and the first trees in Kielder Forest were eventually planted in 1926. A report by Lord Robinson had led to the formation of the Forestry Commission in 1919.

To mark the occasion, great-grandson of Lord Robinson, Michael Lawson Smith, is due to attend and ceremonially reopen the Elf Kirk View Point which – overlooks Kielder Water – on Friday, May 10.

The Royal Forestry Society will visit the working forest and take part in a ceremonial tree planting at Kielder Castle to commemorate the visit.

At 11am on Saturday, a parade ofvintage tractors, classic cars, and more than 100 Land Rovers will be led out by the Hawick Scout Pipe Band from the top of Kielder village.

The annual vintage and classic vehicle show will also take place on Sunday, May 12 and will include a special tribute to Forestry England.

Included in the show will be a 1958 Forestry England-owned Austin A35 van, a 1965 Morris Minor van which is the oldest original Forestry England van in the UK, and a 1983 Morris Ital van.