CHARLES Martell, fruit tree and cheese making expert – the man who left the Falklands, fell in love with a Gloucester cow and has since reintroduced single Gloucester Cheese as well as 'Stinking Bishop' – is to open the Forest's first carnival and fete of the year.

Woolaston Village's carnival and fete takes place on May Day (May 2) the first village Carnival and Fete in the Forest of Dean calendar.

One of the things they'll be celebrating is the completion of a new skate park and the planting of a community orchard – apt because Charles Martell has rescued many Gloucestershire fruit trees, has 99 varieties in his orchard and washes 'Stinking Bishop' cheese in perry.

Woolaston's new community orchard has been supported by a local charity, the Arbourday Trust, with the support of the Parish Council and local donations and has been established on the site of the Memorial Hall Playing Field. Plantings have included a variety of local and historic varieties.

Robin Larkham, from the Woolaston orchard project says "Most community orchards simply allow local people to come and help themselves, which seems to work well and it is hoped that the same will apply in Woolaston".

The local primary school has been involved from the outset and their Orchard Art Project will be on display in the memorial hall on May Day.

A former pupil at Woolaston Primary School, Kieran Jones, set his heart on having a Skate Park on the Memorial Fields. Three years later his dream turns into reality with Crucial BMX joining the May Day celebrations to officially launch the Woolaston Skate Park facility.

Other highlights of the fete will include the Forest Emeralds, local pubs from Woolaston, Alvington and Aylburton test their strength in a Tug of War competition, The "W" Factor Talent Contest, Dougie and Rachel will entertain with their popular music, local ale, fruit smoothies, fab food, lots of fun for kids and hopefully a bit of sunshine – please?!

To find out more contact Rachel Smith on 01594 529547.