Ashdown Forest’s official fundraising charity, The Ashdown Forest Foundation, is delighted to welcome three ambassadors to its team: broadcaster, Katie Derham; New York Times bestselling author, Kathryn Aalto, and Neil Reed, owner of Pooh Corner in Hartfield.
“Our new Ambassador team will help us share the story of Ashdown Forest and inspire more people about its conservation work,” explains the charity’s Chair, Robin St. Clair Jones.
The ambassadors will work hand-in-hand with the Trustee team at an exciting time for the Foundation. Robin continues,“I am more than delighted to welcome our new ambassadors to the team. In 2026, we’ll be celebrating the 100th birthday of our most famous resident, Winnie-the-Pooh. For a century, Winnie-the-Pooh has been enchanting people all over the world with his adventures on Ashdown Forest. The ambassadors will help us share the story of not just the spectacular beauty of the Forest as a place to visit, but also its ecological importance with the collective goal of protecting this very special habitat for the next 100 years and beyond.”
The ambassadors hold a long and fond association with the Forest.
Katie Derham, Broadcaster & Ashdown Forest resident.
One of the UK’s leading broadcasters, Katie Derham moved to the edge of Ashdown Forest over 20 years ago and quickly discovered a passion for its stunning landscape and huge respect for the ecological work undertaken by the Conservators.
“It’s a particularly exciting time to be joining the Foundation. I feel very strongly that this precious landscape deserves to be cherished and protected for future generations and I’m looking forward to sharing its story to wider audiences.”
Kathryn Aalto is a bestselling author, educator and speaker.
Kathryn Aalto is a bestselling author, educator and speaker who focuses her work on nature, culture and storytelling. Her 2015 New York Times bestseller, The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood, inspired a deep passion for the Forest leading to her appointment as a Trustee for the Foundation, a position she held for a number of years before becoming an International Ambassador.
“Winnie-the-Pooh’s adventures have inspired generations of children all over the world, yet many don’t know that Hundred Acre Wood is a real place. I’ve always been passionate about connecting children with nature and as international ambassador and an American with dual citizenship I’m excited to raise awareness about Ashdown Forest’s importance to nature and biodiversity for future generations through public speaking and writing,” comments Kathryn.
Neil Reed, owner of Pooh Corner & Museum, Hartfield.
A long-term supporter of the Foundation and its work, Neil Reed has been part of the Ashdown Forest community since acquiring Pooh Corner & Museum in Hartfield in 2019. His passion and creativity has built Pooh Corner into much more than a tea room and gift shop and now incorporates a museum which has generated international interest, and provides education and entertainment as a part of a visitor’s Ashdown Forest experience.
“I’m delighted to become a member of the Foundation team. Living on the Forest’s doorstep has shown me how important it is to protect this vital natural resource for the future. We can all be a part of its story. Protecting it is something every one of us can do and I can’t wait to make an impact.”
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