Burngreave’s World Forest!

by Simon Hill

Kashmir rowan, dove, almond and tulip trees are now growing in Burngreave – trees from every continent of the world thanks to a unique event held in Abbeyfield Park on Saturday 27th November.

Over 60 enthusiastic participants from the local and wider community planted twenty-three large specimen trees in the park.

Children from all our primary schools worked with local storyteller Shonaleigh and illustrator Graham Higgins to produce a collection of illustrated tree stories.

• The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress helped to plant an olive tree, an international symbol of peace, unity and prosperity.

• The International Women’s Artists Association planted trees to help offset carbon emissions from their plane travel to an exhibition in Australia.

• A Baha’i faith group planted a tulip tree – a personal favourite

of Richard St Barbe Baker, who in 1922 founded the International Tree Foundation.

The event was the culmination of two years work by the Burngreave Community Forestry Project, which has already involved around 900 people in planting over 7,000 new trees in the New Deal area. Through work with the Friends of Abbeyfield Park, an additional grant of over £18,000 was awarded by Local Heritage.

The trees will be a lasting tribute to the diverse community of Burngreave that will last for decades, perhaps hundreds of years to come. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the event a wonderful success.

The following quotes and caption are comments recorded in the visitor’s book on the day.

“The energy created by this project gives life and love to the whole area. We are all one people, like the different leaves of one tree. May the roots of co-operation grow deep.”

“This is a wonderful project – not just for the present community, but for generations to come.”

“It’s great to see more trees being planted in Abbeyfield Park, especially from ‘around the world’ that reflect the multicultural nature of the area."