In August 2013 the Tree Forum decided to review its achievements since its formation in 2008. Below is a list of our work so far; it is a list which can continue to grow with your help.
WHAT HAS MUCH WENLOCK TREE FORUM DONE ????
** Conducted a community tree planting session during which the hedge around the children’s playground on the Gaskell Recreation Grounds was planted. (2008) along with three stand alone trees
** Maintained this hedge for three years.
** Planted a Liquidambar (Sweet Gum) for retiring Town Clerk, Mrs, Anne Downes, on the same occasion as the above. Planted a further Liquidamber and a black poplar on the Gaskell Ground as part of the refurbishment of the playground
** Researched the history of Much Wenlock’s “Heritage Trees” to establish which were planted by Dr. William Penny Brookes. Following which, the Tree Forum has attempted to make the town aware of just how important these trees are and how they should be preserved.
** Met with some of the staff of the Wenlock Edge Quarries (Bardon Aggregates) in an attempt to see more trees planted during the reclamation of the quarry sites.
** Planted a “Coubertin” Oak for the Wenlock Olympian Society to commemorate the lives of Norman Wood (past President) and his wife, Barbara. This tree is sited in the protective cage at the top end of the Gaskell Grounds.
** Nurtured further “Coubertin” oaks on behalf of pupils of the William Brookes School with a view to planting them for special occasions.
** Attended meetings of the London Olympic Organising Committee to try to find sites for “Coubertin” oaks that have been looked after by Head of Trees at Kew Gardens, Tony Kirkham. Have eventually established that one of the trees will be planted on the main Olympic site and that a “ribbon of trees” will be planted in the grounds of 40 schools between Much Wenlock and the main Olympic site. This took place in 2012.
** Visited and met with the farmers at Pont Bren in Mid-Wales to look at how their tree planting has been successful in avoiding flooding in the lower acreages of their farms. This, with a view to establishing whether the idea could be replicated in Much Wenlock. In discussions with both the farmers and Mr. David Jenkins, Director of Coed Cymru, it can be seen that the idea would work well here in Much Wenlock.
** On the basis of the above, have submitted our findings to the Much Wenlock Flood Group and to the Town Council. Have also had discussions with a local farmer whose land, if only 5% was to be planted with trees, would assist in the alleviation of flooding in town.
** Has had Tree Preservation Orders placed on all the trees on the Gaskell and School Grounds and on those on the site of the Lady Forester’s Hospital.
** Has planted a Tupelo tree (a Nyssa sylvatica) to commemorate the bicentenary of Dr. Brookes. This has been planted in the grounds of the Parish Church in agreement with the church authorities and the Wenlock Olympian Society.
** Together with the Much Wenlock Civic Society and our present Mayor, Councillor Lesley Durbin, has invited lime tree authority, Professor Donald Pigott, to visit Much Wenlock to look at our Linden Avenue and give a public talk on Lime Trees. (August 2010)
** Has maintained the new trees that were planted in the cemetery in 2006.
** With the Severn Tree Trust, has planted a line of hollies to continue that which already exists on the Gaskell Grounds alongside to old railway track.
** Has produced a booklet on “The Heritage of Other Trees of Much Wenlock”. Any profit from the sales of this booklet will assist the Tree Forum in its work of looking after Much Wenlock’s trees.
** Has been involved in the consultations concerning the following:
* The future of the Gaskell Grounds - with consultants, Pleydell Smithyman.
* The production of a sculpture by sculptor, Mike Jackson. It is hoped that this will have some association with trees.
* The development of the site at the junction of Sheinton Steet with New Road.
** Researched and designed an information board for the trees on the Gaskell Grounds. This is now in place at the far end of the Linden Avenue.
** Has at last found a site on which to plant 5 “Coubertin Oaks” for 2012 London Olympic Year. These will be planted in the grounds of the William Brookes School, adjacent to the school car park where they can be seen by the public.
** In association with Sustainable Wenlock, has held a fruit tree pruning session in March 2012 for any members of Much Wenlock. The session was conducted by expert Larry Jones from Coalbrookdale.
** has made our submission to the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan suggesting various sites in town where more standard trees could be planted at a part of the Government’s “Big Tree Plant”. Obtained nine half standard trees from Shropshire Council which have been planted in various locations around the town.
** with the Severn Tree Trust, have planted a hedge of native tree species along the topside of the Bowling Green on the Gaskell Recreation Grounds.
** with the Severn Tree Trust, we have planted a hedge between the cemetery and the allotments off Bridgnorth Road. This was organised as a “community planting” with members of the public coming along to help (December 2012)
** have discovered that an oak tree was planted in Much Wenlock for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee We have sought to discover where the tree is if it still exists. If it no longer exists, we are trying to find its original site.
** have prepared a Tree Strategy for Much Wenlock for the Town Council (May 2013)
** Successfully applied to the Shropshire Council Big Tree Plant for three years and have received and planted ten new trees in Much Wenlock, seven in the town and three in the old cemetery
** Worked with the Council to plant two new trees on the corner of Sheinton St and New Road.
** Planted a new oak tree on the Gaskell Ground dedicated to the People of Greece to replace the felled King of Greece tree
** Joined forces with the Severn Tree Trust to plant trees at Cuan House Wildlife Centre to help alleviate flooding in the town
** Written a planting plan for the Gaskell Ground which has been adopted by the Gaskell Ground Board of Management
** Planted four rare trees at the Old Cemetery
** Replaced a vandalised tree at Havelock Crescent
** Working with the Shropshire Housing Group and Shropshire Council to ensure that enough tree planting is done in and around Much Wenlock to help alleviate flooding.
** planted two more trees on Soutfield Rd, a Turkish Hazel and Cercidiyphyllum japonicum.
** we planted four trees at Southfield Rd, two Liquidamber, one cut leaf alder and one Ginko biloba, these are trees which give spectacular autumn colour. We have also planted a flowering hawthorn at the top of Queen St and another flowering hawthorn in Hunters Gate to replace a similar tree which had died.
** planted a further 500 trees at Cuan House in conjunction with the Severn Tree Trust.
** planted an amalanchier on the green space in St Owens Rd and four small Thugas at the rear of the Library.
** planted two more amalanchiers in St Owens Road and one beech tree along the Bridgnorth Road.
** held a successful evening of talks about trees and flooding
** Consulted with Connexus to plant seventeen trees at Callaughton Ash
** Planted a fourth amalanchier in St Owens Road
** Negotiated the planting of native species around the new sewage works including three oak trees
** Obtained and planted the new tree on the Gaskell Ground commemorating the visit of Antonio Samaranch to Much Wenlock during the 1980's on behalf of the Wenlock Olympian Society.
** Planted a new damson tree in the community orchard on Southfield Road, an old variety from the 16th century named Shropshire prune.
** Planted a weeping silver lime as a commemorative tree at the bottom of Windmill Hill. Sadly destroyed by vandals.
** Planted a Liquidamber Worplesdon at the Primary School to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II
** Organised a community planting of 7 new trees to commemorate the The Queen's Green Canopy in the Old Cemetery