The time finally came for David Springer to plant a tree in memory of his brother, Benjamin Zephaniah, with his family from the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group. David originally contacted us from the Family Legacy Group wanting to plant a tree in memory of Benjamin. We decided it wasn’t enough, and thus The Zephaniah […]
Celebrating Benjamin Zephaniah and his love of fruit trees! 19th December we planted The Zephaniah Forest’s Orchard in Burbury Park. The Zephaniah Forest saw a momentous planting day take place on 19th December, where we teamed up with not only the Benjamin Zephaniah Family Legacy Group, but also Burbury Park Community Forum, Birmingham Empowerment Forum, […]
We had the pleasure of planting trees with pupils from Highters Heath Community School once again this year (they are becoming quite the enthusiastic tree-planting squad), after we had arranged with the Friends of Daisy Farm Park to have six new elms planted, replacing the old lost street colonnade. Steve (President of FDFP) and Mac […]
On Friday 29th November in Kings Heath Park, a Magnolia x loebneri Leonard Messel Treemembrance tree was planted in memory of the mother of Julia and Terry Kirby. Kings Heath Rangers from the Horticulture Department, Dave and Graeme, planted the tree in a flower bed, where it should flourish. Julia and Terry were accompanied by […]
On 3rd December, Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Volunteer Network students joined us to celebrate one of their Honorary Doctorates, Benjamin Zephaniah, by planting several of The Zephaniah Forest’s trees with us in Burbury Park. Benjamin Zephaniah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from BCU, so it was wonderful to plant trees with the student volunteer network. […]
Our first planting of the year was for the Treemembrance programme in Bournville, 21st November, planting a tree with the friends, family, Friends group, and pupils of the local school, all in memory of Carl Green. It was a lovely morning after the snow had fallen in Bournville Park, where Rachel had organised with our […]
On the weekend that Tree Week began, we started planting The Zephaniah Forest in Burbury Park, with Qian Zephaniah planting the first tree for her husband, and Ebony Hikers joined us on the second day to celebrate the life and legacy of this iconic Brummie. Despite Storm Burt being forewarned, he once again didn’t stop […]
THE ZEPHANIAH FOREST Qian Zephaniah, her close friends and family planted the first tree (Milky Way tree from China), and subsequent four trees, in The Zephaniah Forest – the 65 strong legacy mini-forest being planted in Burbury Park, in memory of her husband Benjamin Zephaniah, this winter. Today marks the first day of National Tree […]
Our trees for National Tree Week and beyond arrived at the Bromford depot on Tuesday 12th November, where our keen BTP team was bright and early to receive the trees! Plenty of hard work done to unload and organise over 130 semi-mature trees. Through our various city-wide projects, we will be planting all over Birmingham: […]
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but we have found some rather malicious vandalism during our street tree survey in Gravelly Hill, on 28th August. Several of our newly planted trees have been intentionally attacked. Three of this year’s plantings have been sawn off at the base. They’re planted adjacent to each […]
Celebrating with Nechells POD for the end of the UFA Nechells POD recently held their POD Fest on 23rd August, and as part of the final UFA-related event, Katy teamed up with them once again (but certainly not for the last time) to bring many tree-themed activities to the celebrations! Katy Hawkins, our Engagement Officer, […]
Nechells POD are hosting a fabulous festival, POD Fest, this Friday 23rd August, 11-3, with plenty of activities for the community and beyond to get involved in! This also includes tree-themed fun with Katy Hawkins, as the last collaborative appearance during the Urban Forest Accelerator. Fortunately, our wonderful employees will be staying with us thanks […]
Announcing the Winners Now that St. Joseph’s and Cromwell schools have been notified, and their winning pupils are aware of their posters adorning new trees in their ward, we can announce the winning posters online! Yesterday, Katy Hawkins walked around Nechells, installing the creative, hand-drawn posters by local children on our newly planted trees! This […]
THE ZEPHANIAH FOREST: 65 POEMS FOR 65 TREES FOR 65 YEARS We are calling for submissions for our Benjamin Zephaniah legacy forest poetry competition! We are asking all of you creative Brummies to submit a poem on the theme of nature and Benjamin, and 65 of these poems will be associated with a particular tree […]
Katy Hawkins recently visited St. Joseph’s Primary School in Nechells, to host some creative tree care and identification sessions with three of the school’s classes. Years 1 to 3 spent some time with Katy over two days, learning creatively just why trees are so important, sharing their youthful and thoughtful insights. The children talked with […]