This week’s episode of Doctor Who will help boost the profiles of Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood ahead of the forthcoming Major Oak Woodland Festival, says Nottinghamshire County Council.

‘Robot of Sherwood’ is the title of the next episode of the BBC One hit show on Saturday evening. Tom Riley will play Robin Hood and the show also features Ben Miller opposite Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman.

While scenes for the episode were filmed at studios in South Wales, the storyline itself will help promote Nottinghamshire’s famous outlaw and Sherwood to an audience of millions.

And just a week later, the county council is hosting a major celebration to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Sherwood Forest being granted (SSSI) Site of Special Scientific Interest status with the Major Oak Woodland Festival on September 13 and 14 from 11am to 4pm.

Sherwood is internationally famous as the home of the Major Oak, is the forest where Robin Hood and his Merry Men used to hide out, and has a rich natural history environment. The Welsh Clearwing and the Hazel Pot Beetle are among some of the rarer finds within Sherwood’s natural habitats in recent years.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We are looking forward to celebrating the history of Sherwood Forest and everything it offers today as part of the Major Oak Woodland Festival on September 13 and 14. This TV episode of Doctor Who focused on the Robot of Sherwood is very timely, promoting Robin Hood to its huge television audience and army of Doctor Who fans.”

The synopsis for this week’s episode of Doctor Who reads: “In a sun-dappled Sherwood Forest, the Doctor discovers an evil plan from beyond the stars and strikes up an unlikely alliance with Robin Hood.

“With all of Nottingham at stake, the Doctor must decide who is real and who is fake. Can impossible heroes really exist?”

Ade Andrews, plays Robin Hood and was named runner up in the 2014 Tourism Superstar award, organised by Mirror Travel and Visit England. He said: “Robin Hood and Doctor Who are both household names. They have both entertained generations over the years and it is great they are to get the opportunity to meet in the world famous Sherwood Forest.

“People need heroes and both Doctor Who and Robin Hood have stood the test of time and I am living proof in the heart of England that heroes do exist!”

The Major Oak Woodland Festival the following weekend on September 13 and 14 will take place from 11am until 4pm. Families, nature lovers and woodland craft enthusiasts will enjoy the special celebration weekend, which is being organised by the county council in partnership with The Sherwood Forest Trust.

There will be heritage crafts, tree surgeons, outdoor learning displays, community archaeology, bugs and critters, bee keepers and the old tool store among the attractions during the weekend each day.

For details about the forthcoming Woodland Festival visit the Nottinghamshire County Council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/sherwoodcp or www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson
or the Sherwood Forest Trust website: www.sherwoodforest.org.uk
Watch Nottinghamshire County Council’s video of what Robin Hood (Ade Andrews) has found: http://youtu.be/N71fXXCa-4E