THE Ragley estate is to host the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, trees and timber show.

Between Thursday, September 18 and Saturday, September 20 the biannual International Forest Machinery Exhibition, APF will be held with 260 exhibitors and an expected 20,000 visitors in attendance.

The event is the 20th exhibition of its kind and will showcase a range of unique competitions including, the Husqvarna World 25m Pole Climbing Championships, the UPM Tilhill and A W Jenkinson European Chainsaw Carving Competition and UK Forwarder Driving Competition.

The show will be opened by the new Secretary Of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Liz Truss.

Seminars into a variety of current topics including plant health and bi security will take place, displays of working vintage forestry equipment will be on show and opportunities to take part in the activities will be available.

A woodland crafts area will show a variety of skills including charcoal making, willow weaving, steam bending, pole lathe turning, clog making and elf whittling.

More than 21 miles of working machinery will be displayed with automatic tree harvesters, firewood processing, stump grinding, sawmilling, wood chipping and horse logging.

Skills such as tree mulching and tree felling will also be presented.

The first ever APF event was held at Longleat Estate in 1976.

For more information visit apfexhibition.co.uk, email info@apfexhibition.co.uk or call 01737 245081.