THE latest instalment in the documentary series Wood for the Trees, Ancient Woodland Restoration: The Story of Light and Life, will premiere at Frome Town Hall as part of the Frome Climate Film Festival.

The screening takes place on Thursday, May 22, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, and includes two other short films, followed by a Q&A with environmental filmmaker Charly Le Marchant, Mick Bracken of the Woodland Trust, and Phil Sturgeon of Protect Earth.

Charly Le Marchant said: “We are excited to announce the release of the latest film in the acclaimed Wood for the Trees series, focusing on the urgent and inspiring topic of Ancient Woodland Restoration.”

“Created in partnership with Tom Barnes, managing director of Vastern Timber, this new film explores how restoring ancient woodlands can help address biodiversity loss, and why it is important the Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) remaining need to be restored before it is too late.”

“Ancient woodlands are irreplaceable habitats, rich in wildlife and history, but many are under threat from neglect and many are also Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) – ancient woodlands that were cut down and replaced with fast-growing timber trees, a process which happened to almost half our ancient woodland sites in the 1960s and 70s.”

“We invite everyone passionate about the future of our woodlands to watch, share, and join the discussion on how we can restore and protect these vital landscapes.”

Ancient Woodland Restoration: The Story of Light and Life will be screened as part of the Climates Film Festival, alongside two additional documentaries: Ikea Loves Wood and Continuous Cover Forestry – Sustainable Timber & Biodiverse Ecosystems: Can They Thrive Together? The latter was filmed in 2024 at the Stourhead Western Estate, which encompasses the historic woodland surrounding King Alfred’s Tower.

Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber, who presented the film, will be sharing his views on timber security in the UK and sustainable timber practices such as CCF at the screening.

Book tickets for £3 at bit.ly/ancient-woodlands-film. More information about Wood for the Trees is at woodforthetrees.uk