Trees for Cities to plant 1,000 new trees in Brighton 1,000 new trees are to be planted in Brighton by urban tree planting charity Trees for Cities’ in partnership with Brighton Paper Round and as part of Defra’s Big Tree Plant Campaign.

Of the 1,000 new trees, a small forest/copse will be created in Stanmer Park, a hedgerow in Vale Avenue and trees lost to disease in Surrenden Road will be replaced. Individual larger canopy trees will be planted in Western Road.

These trees will replace those lost to elm disease earlier in the year. Trees for Cities and Paper Round have been in partnership for 10 years and are holding a unique event including a tree planting ceremony on Western Road in Brighton Wednesday 22nd February (3pm-6pm).

Sharon Johnson the Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said: “We are very excited about this collaboration with Paper Round and think it will be a great way of highlighting the impact of the Big Tree Plant campaign through planting this ceremonial Street tree. This project also showcases the partnership element of the Campaign and Trees for Cities work – bringing together Trees for Cities, the business community, local people and the local council”

These trees will help improve the biodiversity of the city whilst beautifying the environment and helping raise awareness for the need to plant new trees in cities.

All media enquiries: lucyswan@margaretlondon.com / 0207 923 2861

A new urban woodland is to be created in Birchmere Park where 10,000 trees are to be planted by Trees for Cities, through our Londoners Love Trees project, supported by the Mayor of London’s Team London volunteering initiative.

Trees for Cities is calling for volunteers to help plant the 10,000 trees which will improve the biodiversity within the park and create a haven for wildlife.  The project is a collaboration between Gallions Housing Association, Trust Thamesmead, the Mayor of London and the local community.

Trees for Cities’ Chief Executive, Sharon Johnson said: For the past 18 years Trees for Cities has been inspiring people to plant and love trees worldwide.  We have been planting trees where they are most needed in cities, working with local partners and communities to improve the urban environment. Planting trees brings people together and enhances their quality of life.  It’s is a practical way of doing something positive for the environment, whilst putting those New Year’s resolutions into practice.

By helping us to create this new urban woodland, we will be providing enjoyment for future generations, providing a lung for the neighbourhood and a green view around the busy roads.  It’s an excellent opportunity for Londoners to do something positive for their city. So please help us spread the ‘love’ to Birchmere Park by volunteering and helping us plant 10,000 much needed new trees.”

This project is part of the Mayor of London’s Team London volunteering initiative, which will see 4,000 volunteers come out to plant trees across London this planting season, to help the Mayor reach his target of 50,000 new trees during this Mayoral term.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London said: ‘My tree planting programme aims to green London, make our city a more beautiful place and improve quality of life.  These green-fingered Team London volunteers are setting a great example, getting their hands dirty to make Birchmere Park leafier and greener for future generations to enjoy’.

In addition to the planting there will be fun activities on the planting day including live music, face painting and nature-themed arts and crafts activities.  If you would like to join us on Saturday 28^th January between 11am and 3pm, please contact Polly on 020 7820 4432 or polly@treesforcities.org

All media enquiries:

Lucy Swan 020 7033 6868; lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

Monday 14 November 2011: Today saw The Dorchester plant the first of 80 trees for London as part of the iconic hotel’s 80th Anniversary tree planting project, in collaboration with international tree charity ‘Trees for Cities’. The first tree, a ‘Liriodendron Tulipifera’ or ‘Tulip Tree’ was planted on Curzon Street by entrepreneur Jo Wood.  Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Anya Hindmarch have also lent their support to the project.  In coming months, an English Oak will be planted in Green Park and an Ash in Hyde Park, whilst further sites are identified by Trees for Cities.

Inspiration for the project came from the listed Plane Tree – one of the ‘Great Trees of London’ (*see Editors Notes) – that marks the entrance to The Dorchester, one of Mayfair’s most famous addresses, when the hotel sought to mark its 80th anniversary by creating a legacy that would benefit the city. 79 further long living trees will be planted across London in time for the Olympics including 15 in Mayfair and St. James’s to form The Dorchester Anniversary Walk.

Trees for Cities Chief Executive Sharon Johnson said: “Through this high profile project Trees for Cities hopes to inform the public on the importance of planting a future generation of trees in London wherever possible.  The planting of these 80 long-living trees will provide clean air and help enhance the London cityscape for hundreds of years to come; and thanks to the support of The Dorchester and individuals such as Jo Wood, Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Anya Hindmarch more people will hear about the importance of planting these essential trees in our cities.”

The Dorchester’s General Manager Roland Fasel commented; “I am extremely proud of the hotel’s green team leading the project. By marking our anniversary this way, we’re not just paying tribute to the past but creating 80 living monuments to be enjoyed far into the future.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson commented: ‘This is a fantastic commemoration which will leave a wonderfully leafy legacy for generations to enjoy. Trees deliver a range of benefits to improve quality of life which is why I have committed to plant 10,000 new street trees across the capital by 2012.’  The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is championing an increase in tree cover in the capital, and has recently launched the RE:LEAF programme to help do so.
Editor’s Notes

The Dorchester
The Dorchester is situated in the heart of London’s Mayfair on Park Lane, with rooms and suites affording expansive views of Hyde Park. The Dorchester Spa reopened in May 2009 after a multimillion transformation to offer indulgent pampering in a glamorous art deco setting.  A wide range of dining is available to guests in The Promenade, The Bar and The Grill.  China Tang offers traditional Cantonese cuisine, while three Michelin star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is one of London’s finest contemporary French dining experiences.
High resolution images can be downloaded from: www.leonardo.com/dorchestercollection

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities aims to beautify cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas.   Trees for Cities manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Inca, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of the charity’s landscaping projects and it aims to involve local residents, schools and community groups to help ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

*The Great Trees of London initiative grew out of the devastating Great Storm of 1987. To mark the storm’s tenth anniversary in 1997, the tree officers for the London boroughs, the Government’s Countryside Agency, and the Evening Standard rallied together and invited Londoners to nominate the capital’s Great Trees. To gain Great Tree status, a tree had to be publicly accessible and to meet at least one of three criteria: historical significance, landmark location; and physical character.  All nominations were judged by an expert panel, and out of the first round of nominations, 41 trees were awarded Great Tree status and had special plaques erected next to them, including The Dorchester Plane.  A book celebrating the Great Trees of London including The Dorchester Plane was published by Time Out in 2010.

Dorchester Collection
Dorchester Collection is a portfolio of the world’s foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA, each of which reflects the distinctive culture of its destination. By applying its unrivalled experience and capability in owning and operating some of the greatest individual hotels, the company’s mission is to develop an impeccable group of the finest landmark hotels through acquisition as well as management of wholly-owned and part-owned hotels, and to enter into management agreements.

The current portfolio includes the following hotels (in order of them joining the group):

The Dorchester, London
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills
Le Meurice, Paris
Hotel Plaza Athénée, Paris
Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles (re-opening in October 2011)
Coworth Park, Ascot, UK
45 Park Lane, London
Le Richemond, Geneva
dorchestercollection.com

For further information on Dorchester Collection hotels please contact:
Laura de’ Castiglioni or Jackie McDevitt at Peretti Communications
Telephone: 020 7244 1930
Email: Laura.dc@peretti.com/ Jackie.m@peretti.com

Acclaimed models and designers are to lend their support to urban tree planting charity Trees for Cities by taking part in their ‘Future Great Trees’ project in November.

Trees for Cities will be planting 80 majestic, long living trees across London. The charity was set up 18 years ago to continue the work of the Victorians, who planted many of the large canopy trees we see in London today.

Through this very high profile project Trees for Cities is informing the public as well as influencing decision makers on the importance of planting a future generation of Great Trees in London wherever possible.

Established by founding sponsor The Dorchester, this remarkable project will be commemorated by Lily Cole, Roland Mouret, Anya Hindmarch and Jo Wood, who are showing their support by naming their favourite species of large, indigenous UK trees as part of the special planting project.

Trees for Cities’ Chief Executive Sharon Johnson said: “The planting of these 80 majestic, long-living, large canopy trees will provide clean air and help enhance the London cityscape for hundreds of years to come; and thanks to the support of The Dorchester and individuals such as Lily, Jo, Anya and Roland more people will hear about the importance of planting these magnificent trees in our cities.”

This wonderful initiative is also benefiting from the long-standing support of Grazia’s, Jane Bruton, one of the original founding trustees of Trees for Cities.

Inspiration for the project came from the listed plane tree that marks the entrance to The Dorchester, one of Mayfair’s most famous addresses, when the hotel sought to mark its 80^th anniversary by creating a legacy that would benefit the city.

Trees for Cities’work includes urban tree planting across the UK and internationally, offering environmental, social and health benefits to urban dwellers. In particular, Trees for Cities is keen to encourage the increased planting of large canopy trees, which are being replaced at a much lower rate than their Victorian ancestors.

For all media enquiries please contact Lucy Swan or Emma Pettit at Margaret on 020 7033 6868 / lucyswan@margaretlondon.com / emma@margaretlondon.com

Editors
Notes:

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up asTrees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities aims to beautify cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas.   Trees for Cities manages projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Inca, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of the charity’s landscaping projects and it aims to involve local residents, schools and community groups to help ensure the sustainability of green spaces.
The Great Trees of London initiative grew out of the devastating Great Storm of 1987. To mark the storm’s tenth anniversary in 1997, the tree officers for the London boroughs, the Government’s Countryside Agency, and the Evening Standard rallied together and invited Londoners to nominate the capital’s Great Trees. To gain Great Tree status, a tree had to be publicly accessible and to meet at least one
of three criteria: historical significance, landmark location; and physical character.  All nominations were judged by an expert panel, and out of the first round of nominations, 41 trees were awarded Great Tree status and had special plaques erected next to them, including The Dorchester Plane.  A book celebrating the Great Trees of London including The Dorchester Plane was published by Time Out in 2010.

TREES FOR CITIES

www.treesforcities.org

Gaby Roslin to host the 2011 Tree-Athlon

5km run in Battersea Park raising money to plant 5,000 new trees

Battersea Park, London – Saturday 17 September

“Trees are vital for a healthier and happier urban environment and so I am delighted to be hosting Trees for Cities’ annual Tree-Athlon this year.  I am particularly looking forward to the 100m barefoot world record attempt taking place.  I’m tempted to take part myself, but I don’t think I’m fast enough!” Gaby Roslin

Urban tree-planting charity Trees for Cities are delighted to announce that breakfast radio host and presenter Gaby Roslin will be hosting their 2011 Tree-Athlon, in London’s award winning Battersea Park on September 17^th.

Now in its seventh year, the charity is holding the annual Tree-Athlon to raise money for the planting and care of thousands of trees across the UK and internationally.

In the spirit of a traditional triathlon, the Tree-Athlon is a three part event but with a green twist, and includes a 5km run around the award winning Battersea Park, a free sapling tree for each participating runner to take home and plant, and a 100m barefoot world record attempt. And as a special incentive this year – London Fashion Week designer Giles Deacon has created an exclusive T-shirt which all participants will be running in, and which will also be available to buy on the day for those who are not taking part.

Alongside Gaby Roslin, on the day the Tree-Athlon will also be welcoming the Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins, who will be hosting a Q&A and also Kulveer Ranger, Mayor of London’s Director of Environment and Digital Media.

Last year, 278 barefoot runners set an official new world record on a 100m-grass track. A few months later the Trees for Cities record was broken by the Barefoot Runners of India who secured 306 participants. So this year we need 307 runners or more to reclaim the title for London!

This year we are delighted to be working with RSA, independent collective Noise of Art and media partner ‘The Times’. Noise of Art will be hosting its Metiss’agé Festival at this year’s Tree-Athlon providing live music, interactive street art fronted by Miss Led, and a host of contemporary dancers performing for the enjoyment of the participants and spectators alike. The festival receives funding from the EU cultural programme.

After the Tree-Athlon Noise of Art and Trees for Cities will present ‘Metissage Nite’ – the official after party at East London’s Village Underground to raise even more money for trees! For advance tickets please visit: http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?285192

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities, said: “Last year’s Tree-Athlon was a great day and the money our Tree-Athletes raised enables us to continue our important work. We are reintroducing fruit and nut trees to schools through our Edible Playgrounds project, beautifying our streets with large majestic trees, and at the start of this year we planted a new 10,000-tree urban woodland in just one week.˝

“Climate change is a major challenge for our generation. Through taking part in events like the Tree-Athlon, people can make a difference.”

So, fancy getting fit and helping our cities to breathe? Do your bit and start your tree-loving training!

Register now: www.treesforcities.org/get-involved/tree-athlon/

All media enquiries:

Lucy Swan lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

Notes to Editors:

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities creates social cohesion and beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees for Cities Patrons include Neil Fox, Diarmuid Gavin, Alistair McGowan, Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver and Sir Richard Rogers.

www.treesforcities.org

Trees for Cities present

Family Fun Day at TUMP 53 Nature Reserve

Saturday 20 August 2011

11am – 3pm

Location: Tump 53, off Bentham Road, next to Hawksmoor School, Thamesmead, London, SE28 8AS

Trees for Cities present a free woodland themed family fun day at TUMP 53 nature reserve in Thamesmead, on Saturday 20 August. Featuring bird box making, woodland survival skills, woodland arts and crafts and face painting, the day also offers the chance to find out more about the TUMP and how you can volunteer to help look after it.

Trees for Cities is working in partnership with Gallions Housing and Thames 21 to encourage local schools and residents to get involved in looking after and enjoying the TUMP 53 nature reserve in Thamesmead. The TUMP is a fantastic haven for wildlife such as newts, frogs, herons and reed warblers and is a green oasis in the urban sprawl. Over the summer term Trees for Cities ran environmental workshops with Year 2 children at Hawksmoor Primary, Windrush Primary & St Margaret Clitherow R C Primary schools on site, with pupils exploring the nature reserve and learning about the beautiful trees, plants and animals that live there.

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities’ aim is to create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

Trees for Cities manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects, involving local residents, schools and community groups to help ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees for Cities Patrons include Neil Fox, Diarmuid Gavin, Alistair McGowan, Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver and Sir Richard Rogers.

For more information, please contact: Lucy Swan at Margaret on 020 7033 6868 / lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

2011 Tree-Athlon

5km run in Battersea Park challenge to plant 1,000 new trees

Battersea Park, London – Saturday 17 September

“Global warming is such a pressing issue, and supporting Trees for Cities is a tree-mendous way for people to do their bit for the environment.” Alastair McGowan

“Trees make such a fantastic difference – less pollution, more greenery and somewhere for the birds to perch and the dogs to wee. Get your cheque books out and get more trees planted!” Graham Norton

Urban tree planting charity Trees for Cities is urging people to do their bit for the environment, by running the Tree-Athlon this autumn and reclaiming a world record.

Now in its seventh year, the charity is holding the annual Tree-Athlon to raise money for the planting and care of thousands of trees across the UK and internationally.

In the spirit of a traditional triathlon, the Tree-Athlon is a three part event but with a green twist, and includes a 5km run around the award winning Battersea Park, a free sapling tree for each participating runner to take home and plant, and a 100m barefoot world record attempt.

Ben Fogle (presenter, writer and adventurer), who took part last year said “Trees for Cities does vital work improving our streets and green spaces, making cities healthier, happier places to be.” “Supporting that work by taking part in the Tree-Athlon and the 100m barefoot world record attempt last year was a great experience, and I urge everyone to get their registration form filled out soon so you can come and help us smash the record again!”

Other celebrities who have taken part include supermodel Lily Cole, comedian Shazia Mirza, TV sports presenter, Gabby Logan, TV garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, and Channel 4’s City Gardener Matt James and Blue Peter Gardener Chris Collins. Last year, 278  barefoot runners set an official new world record on a 100m grass track. A few months later the Trees for Cities record was broken by the Barefoot Runners of India who secured 306 participants. So this year we need 307 runners or more to reclaim the title for London!

This year Trees for Cities has joined forces with Noise of Art’s Metiss’agé festival to present street art, music and events for all ages on the day.

As partners for the Tree-Athlon this year, we are delighted to be working with the insurers Royal Sun Alliance, producers Noise of Art and media partner ‘The Times’. The Noise of Arts Metiss’agé festival receives funding from the EU cultural programme.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities, said: “Last year’s Tree-Athlon was a great day and the money our Tree-Athletes raised enables us to continue our important work. We are reintroducing fruit and nut trees to schools through our Edible Playgrounds project, beautifying our streets with large majestic trees, and at the start of this year we planted a new 10,000-tree urban woodland in just one week.˝

“Climate change is a major challenge for our generation. Through taking part in events like the Tree-Athlon, people can make a difference.”

So, fancy getting fit and helping our cities to breathe? Do your bit and start your tree-loving training!

Register now: www.treesforcities.org/tree-athlon

All media enquiries:

Lucy Swan and John Dunning at Margaret: 020 7033 6868 / lucyswan@margaretlondon.com / john@margaretlondon.com

Notes to Editors:

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities’ aim is to create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees for Cities Patrons include Neil Fox, Diarmuid Gavin, Alistair McGowan, Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver and Sir Richard Rogers.

www.treesforcities.org

A run-down walled garden in Birmingham was last week announced as the winner of a national competition by toilet tissue brand Velvet to become the site of a new community orchard.

The project will be a model of urban orchard creation – transforming a dumping area for traffic cones and shopping trolleys into a vibrant, fruitful community space, the development of which the public can follow online.

The competition was organised Velvet as part of their Campaign for Trees – with people up and down the country going online at  www.velvettissue.com to vote for the areas they felt could benefit from more trees.  Birmingham received the most votes and Velvet donated £20,000 to the charity Trees for Cities to fund the renovation.

The winning site is a disused walled garden neighbouring the Wyrley Birch Housing Estate in Erdington, and will form part of a wider regeneration of the area.  Residents of the estate will take part in the planting, helping to dispel the area’s negative reputation.

Scrap metal from the site has been reclaimed for recycling, and dumped tyres will be used to create raised beds for soft-fruits.  On completion the orchard will be publicly accessible and will include benches, community composting facilities and juice presses.

Planting will include heritage fruit varieties and in particular Perry pears, which have left their mark on local place names such as Perry Barr and Perry Common, but no longer grow in the area.

Velvet and partner charity Trees for Cities will be posting a running photo-journal of the site’s transformation on their Facebook pages. Follow the project as it unfolds onfacebook.com/treesforcities or twitter.com/treesforcities.

Velvet’s Senior Brand Manager Traci Baxter said: “We are delighted to announce the Birmingham site as the winner of our national Campaign for Trees vote and look forward to working with our charity partners to transform the area and create a green space that the community can benefit from and be proud of.

“We’d love to see local people coming down to the site and getting involved with the green makeover or even just joining us on Facebook to follow the site’s transformation”.

Sharon Johnson, Trees for Cities chief executive, said: “Trees for Cities is passionate about reviving food growing in our cities.  The way this space is being transformed is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through community orchard planting.”

The new Velvet community orchard is being delivered in partnership with tree planting charity Trees for Cities, Forest Schools Birmingham, and Birmingham City Council.  The initiative resonates with Velvet’s ongoing commitment to the environment whereby for every tree used three more are grown.

- ENDS -

For further information, please contact the SCA team at Haygarth on 020 8971 3300 or emailvelvetpr@haygarth.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Velvet recently launched a soft, soft, soft tissue range that also offers the same environmental message of Three Trees – For every tree used, three more are grown
• The Velvet Toilet Tissue range is available in stores nationwide and includes: Triple and Quilted Toilet Tissue
• For further information on Velvet visit www.velvettissue.com
• For further information on independent charity, Trees for Cities log onto www.treesforcities.org

ABOUT SCA:

SCA is the leading supplier of tissue in Europe. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company’s product range includes toilet paper, hand and kitchen towels, napkins and handkerchiefs. SCA’s products can be found almost everywhere – in most homes, hotels, restaurants, industrial and commercial workplaces as well as public institutions. Customers range from large international retail chains to industry, services and trade.

Amongst SCA’s well-known brands are Velvet, Plenty and Cushelle and a wide supply of retail brands positioned well in the European home markets.

As a business group within the Swedish SCA Group, SCA Tissue Europe employs approximately 50,000 people and generated in excess of 10.5 million Euros in sales in 2009.

For further information please visit: www.sca.com

Trees for Cities is an independent charity which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Established in 1993, Trees for Cities creates social cohesion and beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of these green spaces.

Please visit our press page for all our latest releases.

Forest Schools Birmingham is a community interest company which works with schools throughout the Midlands, bringing innovation to outdoor learning.  For further information seewww.forestschoolsbirmngham.com

This Thursday, 24 February, the team at Trees for Cities will be taking part in the new ITV programme Auction Party, where they’ll be pitted against another charity in a bid to raise the most cash at auction in south London.

Laurence Llewelyn Bowen hosts, and the programme will be shown on ITV1 in late March (tbc).

Lots include an urban gardening kit in a metal chest, finished off with some Hunter wellies, a vintage bread-making kit, a heaving wine trolley crammed with reds, whites and rosés and a woolly glove and hat set from North Circular.

Why not spruce up your garden with a stunning tree swing by Joe the Carpenter, hand carved from a fallen London Elm tree? If you like more padding, there’s a reupholstered vintage chair courtesy of designer Charlotte Hodgson at Seating Beauty.

The event is free to attend and all proceeds from Trees for Cities lots go to the charity.

Team leader Sarah Summers said: “We’re working hard to get some super lots together for the auction; you definitely won’t find most of these on the high street!

“Come down on Thursday and help us raise as much cash as possible to make London leafier than ever before.”

Places are limited, so get your RSVP in quickly and snap up these unique items at the exclusive Great Hall of St Dunstan’s College, Catford, from 6pm.

***

For further information, contact Stephen Gray, stephen.gray@treesforcities.org, 0207 820 4428

Venue: St Dunstan’s College Great Hall, Stansted Road, Catford  SE6 4TY

Public transport: Catford Bridge Rail (10 minute train ride from London Bridge)

Auction viewing: 6pm

Auction: 7pm

RSVP to Rick@treesforcities.org / 020 7820 4413, or at our Facebook event page.

Notes to Editors

Trees for Cities is an independent charity which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Established in 1993, Trees for Cities creates social cohesion and beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of these green spaces.

Johannes Ertl and Jean Calvé joined children from Chancet Wood Children’s Centre andChancet Wood Residential Respite Home yesterday to plant a new orchard and sensory garden on the centre’s grounds. The project has been developed by Sheffield city council’s Community Foresters with the international charity Trees for Cities.

The Chancet Wood site is a children’s nursery and a respite care centre for children with disabilities, set in extensive grounds.

Natural, outdoor spaces are known to have great therapeutic benefits.  By providing such a space at Chancet Wood, Trees for Cities & Sheffield City Council Community Foresters will be improving the life of all the children, young people and families who use the centre.

The orchard and garden will be integrated into the centre’s current activities, including outdoor sessions and cooking activities, ensuring that the planted trees continue to have an impact long after the spades are put away.

The sensory trees and shrubs in the new garden – like Magnolia Heaven Scent and the brilliant red-barked Tibetan Cherry – will engage users’ senses of sight and smell, while the orchard will provide a variety of fruit to encourage children’s healthy eating.

The planting of the trees is itself a prime example of inter-agency cooperation with volunteers from both Centres at Chancet Wood, staff from Trees for Cities and Community Forestry and young people from Sheffield’s Community Payback Scheme all collaborating on the tree planting.

Austrian international Ertl said: “I’m really pleased to help plant these trees and provide better surroundings for what is a fantastic children’s centre.  I am sure the garden will be a fun place for the kids to visit and explore.”

Trees for Cities’ Chief Executive, Sharon Johnson said: “Trees for Cities is delighted to be involved in this innovative tree planting initiative, which demonstrates how important trees are for food, learning and play – particularly in a child’s early development.”

Carole Adams, Chancet Wood Children’s Centre manager, said: “We are grateful to Trees for Cities for this opportunity – we know our children will gain a lot from the actual planting as well as the experiences they will get later on, such as picking, cooking and eating the results.  We’re hoping that our children will begin to develop an awareness of where food comes from as well as an abiding love of gardening.”

Lisa Shaw, manager of the Residential Respite Home, added “This is a great opportunity to further develop our sensory garden, which the Community Payback Scheme worked extremely hard on. They converted the grounds into an accessible sensory garden for the young people we offer a service to. The new orchard and sensory trees will further enhance the sensory experience that we are already providing. Over the past year our young people have shown a keen interest in gardening and plants and have been planting their own vegetable. They will now be able to develop their knowledge of fruit trees and see them grow and where the fruits come from”.

***

For further information, contact Stephen Gray, stephen.gray@treesforcities.org, 0207 820 4428

Notes to Editors

Trees for Cities is an independent charity which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Established in 1993, Trees for Cities creates social cohesion and beautifies our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of these green spaces.

Please visit our press page for all our latest releases.

Chancet Wood Residential Respite Unit Is a 6 bedded home which provides a respite service to children and young people aged 5 to 18, who have physical and multiple disabilities.

Chancet Wood Children’s Centre supports families with children under five, including those expecting a baby.  They offer access to a range of services, including education and childcare.  Chancet Wood is a Sure Start Children’s Centre and more information on Children’s Centres in general can be found at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/earlyyears/surestart/surestartchildrenscentres/childrenscentres/