Phil Rose, known to millions as Friar Tuck from the hit TV programme Robin of Sherwood is a special guest at this year’s Robin Hood Festival!

Nottinghamshire County Council is preparing to host the 31st annual Robin Hood Festival in legendary Sherwood Forest from August 3 – 9 – one of the biggest celebrations of Robin Hood in the world.

The week-long festival offers a huge amount of medieval fun including outdoor theatre performances, costumed characters, medieval craft demonstrations, musicians, archery, and on selected days there is also jousting and falconry displays (Wed, Sat and Sun) – weather permitting.

Phil Rose starred in the hit 1980s TV show Robin of Sherwood which was first broadcast in 1984 – the same year the Robin Hood Festival first began entertaining family audiences at Sherwood Forest. He went on to appear in every episode in all three series of the programme which starred first Michael Praed then Jason Connery as Robin Hood and also featured Ray Winstone as Will Scarlet.

Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We are delighted that Phil Rose who helped to inspire a generation of Robin Hood fans is a special guest at the 31st Robin Hood Festival and once again there is a packed programme of entertainment throughout the week as Robin and his Merry Men resume their colourful and intriguing battles against the Sheriff of Nottingham.”

Phil has given a very special address to audiences looking to come to this year’s festival which can be viewed in full on Nottinghamshire County Council’s Robin Hood Festival Facebook page – www.facebook/robinhoodfestival.

In part of the address he says: “To Ye fair good people of Nottingham – my warmest greetings. It is a very happy occasion that I shall be joining you as a special guest at this year’s Robin Hood Festival.

“The Festival started in the very same year that Robin Of Sherwood aired on ITV television in 1984 where I played the godly and fierce fighting monk to my enemies but to the Merries a friendly, fat, Friar Tuck with co stars as Micheal Praed and Jason Connery as Robin Hood.

“On Saturday nights people flocked around their televisions and that brilliant, evocative music by the band ‘Clannad’ broke the silence around our great kingdom and the fabulous landscape of this green and sceptred isle and visions of Nottingham and the greenwood thrilled our senses with the escapades of Robin Hood and his merry men from Sherwood Forest.”