The ancient forest of Newport
Hanging trees and riots
A visit to the ancient forest of Wentwood to examine its history.
The largest ancient forest in Wales, Wentwood covers 2500 acres and about 45% is within the City of Newport. I take a look at its history and the pressures on the woodland, including
- the Wentwood Riot and enclosures,
- the felling of trees for battleship building in the Napoleonic Wars
- and the felling of the last remnants for trench building in France during the First World War.
Whatever happened to the Foresters Oaks, the hanging trees for poachers and those who broke the forest laws?