11 trees were planted on the 11th of the 11th
Green-fingered folk are being asked to lend a hand in the effort to create a Peace Woodland in Beacon Park.
Lichfield Cathedral and Lichfield District Council have spent the last year working together to create a Peace Woodland in Beacon Park.
The council’s parks team, along with plenty of volunteers helped to pot 1,918 trees so they could be used in Lichfield Cathedral’s Imagine Peace art installation in August. Thousands of people visited the cathedral to see the exhibition, created by Lichfield Cathedral’s artist-in-residence Peter Walker, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War.
Following the exhibition the council has been caring for the trees in Beacon Park’s community garden, ready for them to be planted out as part of a Peace Woodland in the New Year.
The woodland, also designed by Peter Walker, will be next to Beacon Park’s golf course. It will be officially launched at Easter and will feature a bronze plaque inscribed with names.
Volunteers are now needed to help the council’s parks team create the woodland at a series of tree planting sessions in January.
Community tree planting sessions will take place on:
• Sunday 6 January, 10am to 2pm
• Tuesday 8 January, 1pm to 3pm
• Saturday 12 January, 10am to 2pm
• Sunday 27 January, 10am to 2pm
Councillor David Leytham, Cabinet Member responsible for Leisure, said: “It’s been such a privilege to be a part of this project and we’re looking forward to seeing the finished results and watching the woodland grow.
“So many volunteers have already helped with this project, and we hope even more of the local community will join our parks team to complete the huge job of planting so many trees in Beacon Park.
“Gardeners will need to wear warm, outdoor clothing and gardening gloves. And, if you have a spade you can bring along, that would be a great help. Don’t forget to book your spot on the tree planting sessions, so we know how many people to expect on the days.”
The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Revd Adrian Dorber, added: “This Peace Woodland has been at the heart of our Armistice year here at Lichfield Cathedral and it will create a lasting testimony to peace.
“We are grateful to the district council and all the volunteer tree planters who have brought this vision to reality and hope by the spring the planting will be complete and we look forward to the next stage of this fantastic project when we dedicate the woodland in April.”
All the planting sessions are dependent on the weather and ground conditions.
To book your place onto any of the tree planting sessions, please call Beacon Park on 01543 308867 or email parks@lichfielddc.gov.uk.