Bosses look ahead to Chase festivities

There may be more than 300 shopping days until Christmas but the Forestry Commission in Cannock Chase is already on the look out for attractions for 2009's festive period.

As part of last December's Christmas Experience at Cannock, the Forestry Commission teamed up with treetop assault course experts, Go Ape and mountain bike manufacturer, Giant, to find out what local people thought about the annual festive events and the Christmas tree sales which took place at the Birches Valley Centre.

With £300 worth of gift vouchers from Go Ape up for grabs and a new Giant mountain bike as a grand prize, Christmas tree shoppers were keen to take part in the Forestry Commission survey to tell them how the events could be improved.

The results of the survey of over 300 people showed a clear interest in local arts and crafts and unusual local produce not found on the high street.

So the Forestry Commission is encouraging budding entrepreneurs to get in touch with them as early as possible if they would like to sell their wares at this year's Christmas tree sales event.

The Birches Valley Forest team have already received interest from a Teddy Bear experience, a farmers' market, a mulled wine and spice producer and a company that provides reindeer rides.

Sue Hutchings from the Forestry Commission at Cannock Forest, said: "We're always looking for new ways to improve the quality of the visitor experience at Cannock Chase, including the Christmas tree sales, so we thought we'd invite our visitors to tell us what they think.

People interested in having a stall at Christmas Experience at Cannock should contact Sue Hutchings at the Forestry Commission's Birches Valley Forest Centre on 01889 586593.