This film is part of Free

Thetford Forest

Thetford Forest is very much alive and kicking as Anglia TV reporter, Bob Wellings takes a look at the work of the Forestry Commission

News 1963 13 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for East Anglian Film Archive

Overview

Thetford is a fully functional forest run by the Forestry Commission, the government body set up post WW1 to create a new reserve for timber. Here there are 72 square miles of forest - mostly pine trees plus some douglas fir, oak beech and poplar. The Commission's work is not only focused on the trees they grow but on preservation and wildlife. The Breckland is a naturally sandy soil and an ideal habitat for rabbits. We find out more about the warrener's work.

The Senior Forest Officer has to supervise 400 staff who work at Thetford Forest. With a focus on timber, badger, rabbit and deer management as well as fire prevention, it's quite a task.