The Radstock in Bloom committee and horticulture students from Radstock College joined Trust staff to plant trees in the driving rain at Southfield in Radstock. The 25 ornamental willows will both help to shelter Radstock Town F.C.’s pitch and also provide an attractive feature for park users. The scheme was funded by Bath & NE Somerset LSP’s Small Grants Fund and The Big Tree Plant, with kind permission for the planting being given by Radstock Town Council.
The Trust celebrated its third ‘birthday’ in December by taking on the lease of The Retreat and by filming three videos at the site, illustrating our work. Trust patron and One Show regular Mike Dilger took time out of his busy schedule to help us with this, working with local media production company Constellation Media.
We were supported in the films by Forest School trainees; children and staff from Bradley Stoke Community School; and representatives from some of the organisations, businesses and Councils we have worked with.
Jon Clark, Trust Executive Director, said:
‘It was a cold and windy day, so huge thanks to everyone who took part. It was really heartening to hear everyone’s commitment to the cause. I am really pleased with three short films, which I hope speak for themselves.’
A mention has also got to go to Manor Farm Shop for an excellent warming lunch.
The videos are below: (also available on our YouTube Channel)
Tree Charity: the Forest of Avon Trust
Tree Action in and Around Bristol
Forest School Leader Training
The Retreat looking north.
The Forest of Avon Trust is now the proud lessee of The Retreat community woodland at Beach, near Upton Cheyney. This 5.18 hectare native woodland was planted in 2000 and provides attractive woodlands walks, with great views extending over Bristol to the Severn Estuary.
Jon Clark, Forest of Avon Trust Executive Director said: ‘Taking on the lease of The Retreat is a ‘real coming of age’ for the Trust, three years in to its life. We now have a great location for woodland walks, a fantastic site for Forest School training and new location for Tree Dedications. I would really like to thank Veale, Wasbrough, Vizards for their pro bono conveyencing support which helped make this possible.’
The Retreat is on Marshfield Lane, Beach and is clearly marked on Explorer Map 155 a mile east of Upton Cheyney, grid reference ST 710707. Telephone Jon on (0117) 963 3383 for more detailed directions.
The Retreat was formerly managed by the Woodland Trust and planted under their ‘Woods on Your Doorstep’ Lottery funded programme.
Cooking on the fire.
The Forest of Avon Trust in partnership with with Bristol Adoption Support Service has run a day for 30 people in the woods at Ashton Court Estate. The family groups went on a short walk across the top of Ashton Court Estate exploring natural colours that can be found in the landscape. Then, in a small woodland clearing the group spent the day enjoying games and activities in the woods, as well as having a relaxing lunch and marshmallows toasted on the fire.
Worcester Pearmain, Copyright Nick Dunn, Trees for Life
As promoted in June’s Bristol Allotments’ Newsletter, the Forest of Avon Trust is pleased to be able to offer the following pot- grown bush apple trees for £20 collection from Ashton Court late October/ early November:
Meadowbrook Primary Planting Team
John Lewis Cribbs Causeway continued it support for the Trust this March, by providing funding for two English apple orchards in Bradley Stoke.
Orchard Planting Weston Super Mare
Street orchard trees being collected
Urban Greening, part of Transition Montpelier has been working with the Trust to plan and deliver a street orchard in the heart of Bristol. The work was funded by a Bristol Green Capital grant, with the Trust providing advice, wholesale- priced English apple trees, stakes and mats.
This work complements the school orchards that the Trust is delivering, bringing food, shade and wildlife to urban communities, complementing existing street trees and supporting community action: ‘just what the Forest of Avon Trust is all about.
Alec French Architects Hard at Work
Bristol based Architects Alec French recently got dug in and planted a hedgerow of over 200 native shrubs and trees to further improve Trendlewood Park, Nailsea, They donated the plants to help offset their carbon emissions and also to make a real difference to the local area.
The project was coordinated by the Forest of Avon Trust and brought together the firm, the Friends of Trendlewood Park and the Park’s owners, North Somerset Council.
Jon Clark, Trust Executive Director said: ‘This is exactly what the Forest of Avon Trust is all about: putting people together, adding some time and guidance, and making things happen’.
Enjoying a well earned break after a day of planting & mulching
The sound of the Suburb’s Church, Cadbury Heath has recently included skips being filled. Pastor Michael Williams and members of the Church have transformed a green area and on the 6th March, the Trust helped them apply the finishing touches.
Michael, Nathan Duggan and Liam Thomas (and Jon Clark!) planted 180 native shrubs and barrowed numerous loads of mulch to keep the weeds down. The Trust co-ordinated the planting, with funding coming from a grant from Oldland Parish Council and free mulch from South Glos Council.
It’s a great project and demonstrates the Trust’s role in delivering more trees, more action.
