news from the special trees and woods project

2008 newsletters Click on a newsletter below (or right-click and save) to download.  Spring 839 Kb Heritage Open Days Story date: 05/2008 This September the Special Trees and Woods Project is joining forces with the Civic Trust in a series of events celebrating Heritage Open Days. These events will give you the chance to actually see some of the special trees and woods of the Chilterns and hear their stories. Heritage Open Days activities will take place all over England from 11-14 September 2008 as part of a national annual event co-ordinated by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage. Over the four days, up to 1 million visitors up and down the country are expected to enjoy exploring local heritage features which are usually inaccessible to the public – and all for free! Click here for more details about these special events. National expert to speak at the Special Woods Conference Story date: 05/2008 This year, Oliver Rackham, renowned woodland historian and ecologist, will be speaking at the third annual conference for the Special Trees and Woods Project. Volunteers will also be sharing their experiences of researching special woods in the Chilterns since the start of the project in January 2006. Professor Rackham is well known for his book ‘The History of the Countryside’. The last two annual conferences have proved very popular and both have been fully booked. Make sure you book early to confirm your place in Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 22nd November 2008. Art competition inspired by special woods Story date: 04/2008 After the success of last year’s art exhibition, which attracted more than 15000 visitors, the Special Trees and Woods Project is hosting an art competition open to all artists inspired by the woods of the Chilterns. Artists of all abilities are welcome to enter artwork of any medium that has been inspired by a particular wood in the Chilterns. After judging by a panel of local art professionals, successful candidates will have their work exhibited in the River and Rowing Museum in Henley and The Hat Factory in Luton. Are you inspired by the woods of the Chilterns? If so, why not enter this free competition? Now we are two Story date: 01/2008 The Special Trees and Woods Project celebrated its second anniversary. Liz Manley, project coordinator said “The project, has really captured everyone’s attention and we have nearly 400 special trees recorded and more than 40 volunteers to prove it.” Volunteers dedicate various amounts of time to researching and recording special trees and woods. Rosalie Bullock, from Flackwell Heath was one of the first volunteers to join the project two years ago. She has carried out a number of tasks since including recording her local special woodland – Fennel’s Wood. Rosalie said “I have been researching Fennel’s Wood to find out what story it has to tell and have found out the interesting history of its ownership over the centuries. A Norman called Robert Fitz Neel bought the wood back in 1283 from Roger Taylor of Little Marlow and it is his surname from which the name Fennel derived.” 2007 newsletters Click on a newsletter below (or right-click and save) to download.  Autumn 1003 Kb  Summer 760 Kb  Spring 335 Kb A grave matter Story date: 12/2007 When Michael Hicks from Dunstable heard about the project he immediately thought of the trees he passes regularly when shopping with his wife, Shirley.Mr Hicks said “I always admire the ash trees in the grounds of the Dunstable Baptist Church – they have grown around the gravestones which are now embedded within the trunks in an extraordinary way. I have been looking at gravestones while researching my own family tree and often wonder who’s family trees these are.” As young saplings these trees were probably protected from the gardeners mowers by the proximity of the gravestones. Aging trees is difficult but it is possible that they first grew during the Second World War when grounds maintenance may have lapsed. Do you have photo of these trees, maybe in your wedding photos or from a church fete? If so, please get in touch. A special success Story date: 11/2007 More than 180 people celebrated the progress of the Special Trees and Woods Project since it started in January 2006. Eight volunteers bravely took to the stage and spoke about volunteering and their investigations of special trees and woods. Tony Kirkham recounted his experiences with special trees throughout his career, really illustrating that every tree has a story to tell. Sir John Johnson, Chairman of the Chilterns Conservation Board concluded proceedings. He said “The conference has been a great celebration of the Chilterns and once again has highlighted how very passionate people are about this unique landscape.” Special Conference Story date: 07/2007 This year the Special Trees Project is delighted to welcome Tony Kirkham, Head of Kew Arboretum, to the second annual conference. Tony believes that every tree has a story to tell, and will share his favourites with us at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College at Chalfont St Peter on Saturday 24th November. Tony is best known for his BBC series ‘The Trees that made Britain’. Last year the annual conference proved very popular and was fully booked. Make sure you book early to confirm your place. Free events Story date: 05/2007 Burnham Beeches has been a hive of activity recently with volunteers recording the famous site as ‘special’. As part of a monthly event hosted by the Special Trees and Woods Project, volunteers recorded the trees at Burnham Beeches with a story to tell. Liz Manley, Special Trees and Woods Coordinator, said “Burnham Beeches is a great site for volunteers to practice tree measuring, map reading and tree photography as well as see this unique site with remarkable trees.” Thirteen project volunteers successfully completed the workshop which was led by Helen Read, Conservation Officer at Burnham Beeches. Trees of all shapes and sizes were recorded by the group including The Cage, The Druid and Mendelsohn’s Tree. Special trees inspire amazing artwork Story date: 04/2007 Volunteers are holding an art exhibition - Perspectives: Special Trees of the Chilterns, which will be touring venues across the Chilterns in 2007. Since summer 2006, plans have been underway, and in addition to producing some spectacular artwork, local artists June Kingsbury and Joan Skelton Smith have been busy booking venues and promoting the exhibition. This free exhibition promises to be an inspiring event for professional artists, amateurs and enthusiasts alike. Perspectives will visit four venues across the Chilterns, including High Wycombe, Chalfont St Giles, Tring and Maidenhead. Which one might you got to? 2006 newsletters Click on a newsletter below (or right-click and save) to download.  Autumn 701 Kb  Summer 354 Kb  Spring 160 Kb Special celebration Story date: 02/2007 The Special Trees and Woods Project celebrated its first anniversary. For the past year, with help from the public and a team of volunteers, more than 80 special trees and their stories have been recorded. Liz Manley, project coordinator said “We have got off to a great start! We are finding special trees of all shapes and sizes, on commons, in local parks, churchyards and in the wider Chilterns countryside. A great variety of special trees have already been recorded. Why not have a look at the interactive map and see if there is a special tree near you?” The second year of the Special Trees Project proves to be even more exciting than the first! Click here for details of the special events taking place throughout the Chilterns. Ancient trees - our living heritage Story date: 27/11/2006 More than 80 people, both volunteers and countryside professionals alike, attended the Special Trees and Woods Project annual conference at the Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. Guest speaker Ted Green OBE and project volunteers shared their experiences and reported on special trees and woods of the Chilterns. Synopses from some of the speakers are available in the Autumn 2006 newsletter. Volunteering helps A level studies Story date: 01/11/2006 The success of the Special Trees and Woods Project is down to volunteers such as Dan Hully, 17. Dan lives in Leighton Buzzard and hopes that by volunteering he will gain new skills to help him in his A level studies at Cedars Upper School. Dan has received full training and hopes to record oral histories with those with memories of the trees and woods of the Chilterns. Monumental prizes for volunteers Story date: 01/08/2006 The Duke of Bridgewater monument was recently used by volunteers of the Special Trees and Woods Project learning how to measure the height of trees. Fourteen project volunteers successfully completed the course which involved comparing different techniques for measuring tree height. After a quick reminder of trigonometry, the volunteers used professional forester’s clinometers, homemade clinometers, sticks and even shadows to calculate the height of the monument. Volunteers Ross and Jane, from Lane End, gained the most accurate result using a simple trigger action clinometer, usually used by school children visiting Ashridge. As the winning team they went home with two rustic planters generously donated by the National Trust. Ancient trees - our living heritage Story date: 24/07/2006 The famous veteran tree expert, Ted Green, is the guest speaker at the Special Trees and Woods Project Annual Conference. Early booking is recommended for this event which is open to all. Click here for the booking form. Woods at Work Story date: 09/04/2006 This year the biannual Woods at Work event, run by the Chiltern Woods Project and the Chilterns Conservation Board, was a great success. More than 2000 adults attended to see woodland themed displays such as horse logging, chain saw sculptures, tree climbing, lathe turners, broom stick makers and more. The Special Trees and Woods Project was widely promoted with all those attending receiving the Spring 2006 newsletter. See newsletters above.