Smile and say Treeeees
Posted on 11th November 2011
Poet-tree Perambulation of Sherwood Forest now over
Dave Wood ended the walking section of his Creative Perambulation of Sherwood Forest on November 5th 2011 with the plantings of two trees grown from the Major Oak. The project is supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery.
Say ‘Trees’, and the crowds that gathered, smiled, grinning with the satisfaction that they had been part of the support network for Dave Wood’s Creative Perambulation of Sherwood Forest. The original walk around Sherwood Forest was last completed in 1662; almost 350 years ago; bear in mind, Dave wasn’t there originally…
By the end of the day, twenty three people had come along to help and to be part of the process; one tree planting at the Victoria Embankment and the other at The Hook Nature Reserve in Lady Bay. The latter tree was donated free by The Sherwood Forest Trust , an organisation keen to be included in the process of the walk. Both trees were nurtured by Sherwood Pines Partnership Tree Nursery, a partnership between The Sherwood Forest Trust and Nottinghamshire Country Council. Both trees were grown from acorns from the Major Oak in, what most would deem, the heart of the forest.
The Sherwood Pines Partnership Tree Nursery, which grows the trees, enables adults with learning needs gain valuable work experience, increase their confidence and self esteem and help them live a more independent and fulfilling life. There is currently a consultation document online http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/supportedemploymentconsultation.htm in which the public is invited to respond to potential cutbacks to the Supported Employment Programme (closing of the nursery is one of the elements highlighted). Dave would also be keen to hear your views; enabling him to include it in his final creative portfolio.
City Mayor, Mick Wildgust and Stapleford Town Mayor, Ray Darby were present at the first planting, but Mr Wildgust had to leave early to get to another engagement. Three human trees from The Woodland Trust also came a-walking [see photograph] and personally gave away eight trees at the final planting.
Dave says, It’s been astounding, I’ve been gifted with company on every walk; even the really difficult ones…it makes you look so differently at Nottinghamshire, its landscape/s and its heritage…it’s been quite an adventure; talking to locals, being creative and absorbing myself into the culture…he ends.
His shenanigans are not over yet; he has a little more space to offer workshops, will be producing a broadsheet and giving three exciting performances in the city and the county.
Dave will be posting up a certificate of Branching Out, for those who have supported the project in any way/s. There is a limited amount of paper copies at BBC Radio Nottingham’s reception desk on London Road, Nottingham. Give him a call if you are interested on O77 O99 77684. You can always email him too; davewrite2002 @ yahoo.com.
Ends
Press contact: Dave Wood
O77 O99 77684
davewrite2002 @ yahoo.com
The Creative Perambulation of Sherwood Forest
is supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery.
