THOMAS Hardy would not have felt out of place in Poulton Wood, Aldington, on Sunday.

The author of such classics as The Return of the Native, Far from the Madding Crowd and The Woodlanders, would have seen woodturners practising, age-old skills, a chairmaker, a basketweaver, working horses dragging logs and a falconer putting his hawk through its paces.

The smell of woodsmoke filled the air and the relaxed atmosphere was in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The occasion was the official opening of the 28-acre wood on the slopes of Forge Hill, as a local nature reserve. It was to have been held in the spring but fell victim to foot and mouth restrictions.

The reserve needs volunteers. If you can help call warden Peter Lambert on 01233 720163.

Guest of honour at Sunday's ceremony was Joan Wood, whose late husband John, a forester and freeman of the village, was a great supporter of the development of the wood as a reserve.

Also there were Theresa Bennett, a conservation officer representing English Nature; Andrew Parris, of the Canterbury Oast Trust, owner of the wood and of adjoining Homelands, which houses and employs adults with learning difficulties; Simon Foster, Aldington's Ashford Borough Councillor, Peter Wood, Aldington parish council chairman; and Ian Rootes, representing Poulton Wood's trainees.

Superintending was Poulton Wood's warden, Peter Lambert, who declared himself delighted with the crowds attracted.

A legal agreement guaranteed that the wood would be designated a nature reserve for at least 20 years, Mr Lambert said.

The wood is at least 400 years old. In spring it is carpeted first by wood anenomes and later with bluebells.

Records show that it provided ash to make wheelbarrows used during the building of Sandgate Castle.