Bristol children’s author and illustrator Duncan Beedie creates Autumn Trail at Westonbirt

Westonbirt Arboretum is home to 2,500 species of tree from around the world, as well as five national tree collections.

As tree lovers will know, there is no better time to visit than Autumn, when the landscape is transformed by a vibrant palette of seasonal colours.

In celebration of this most enchanting time of year, its annual Autumn Forest Trail is designed with young families in mind, and has in previous years been based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books – The Gruffalo, Superworm and Zog.

The Ballad of Birtha Autumn Trail, Westonbirt Arboretum – photo: Duncan Beedie

For 2023, the chosen trail artist is prolific Bristol-based picture book author and illustrator, Duncan Beedie. “I was honoured to be selected,” he admits. “They were pretty cavernous shoes to fill.

In planning his own unique take on the challenge of designing the trail, Beedie decided to base his ideas around Autumn.

The trail end – photo: Duncan Beedie

“I created a host of original characters partly based on folklore and mostly based on my daft imagination,” he smiles, before explaining how the story unfolds. “On the trail you setout to help ‘Birtha’, the woodland spirit of Autumn.

“She has lost her beautiful colours after using her powers to create a colourful autumnal landscape. Visitors are tasked with seeking out her forest sprite friends, such as ‘Conk’ the horse chestnut, ‘Pippin’ the cone, ‘Flitwing’ the seed and ‘Folia’ the leaf, to help regain her strength.”

Photo: Duncan Beedie

Over half term, The Ballad of Birtha will be accompanied by a family craft activity, hosted by Beedie and supported by the Learning team at Westonbirt, in which children will be able to create their own woodland characters.

Away from the forest, Beedie has been busy publishing the latest in his collection of picture books. A Bad Day For Bear is the third in his series of Bear books, beginning with The Bear Who Stared back in 2016 and continuing last year with No Sleep for Bear.

A Bad Day For Bear cover – artwork: Duncan Beedie (Templar Publishing)

“It’s hard to say whether this will be the last instalment as I like revisiting the characters,” he reflects – “particularly the friendship between Bear and Frog.”

In the newly released Heavy Metal Badger, Beedie was able to combine his passions as a writer and illustrator and metal fan. The idea for the book first came to him during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Heavy Metal Badger cover – artwork: Duncan Beedie (Little Tiger Press Group)

“I was sat alone in a big empty studio that would normally have been home to an animation company, so I decided to fill the eerily quiet void with very loud music,” he recalls. “Not only did this help keep me sane, but it got me thinking – why aren’t there any children’s books about heavy metal?”

The illustrations for the story were inspired by vintage album cover designs and old record shop photos. “I also enlisted the help of friends and relatives to come up with animal pun band names to slip into the background,” Beedie grims. “‘Quack Sabbath’ and ‘Gnus ‘n’ Roses’ are probably my favourites.”

The Autumn Family Trail: The Ballad of Birtha, created by Duncan Beedie, is at Westonbirt Arboretum until November 30, and is aimed at families with children aged 3-9, but can be enjoyed by all.

Beedie will be hosting half term craft activities based on the trail at Westonbirt’s Great Oak Hall from October 23-27. For more information, visit www.forestryengland.uk.

Duncan Beedie’s newest picture books A Bad Day for Bear (Templar Publishing) and Heavy Metal Badger (Little Tiger Press Group) are both out now. For more information, visit www.duncanbeedie.co.uk or follow @DuncanDraws.

All photos: Duncan Beedie

Read more: Bristol author and illustrator Duncan Beedie releases new picture book: ‘No Sleep for Bear’

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