On 9th January 2025 in Handsworth Park, our first tree planting of the year took place, which was a wonderful commemorative occasion for the Treemembrance Programme. We were terrifically lucky with the weather; it was sunny and bright all day whilst planting in memory of Natasha Wade, who sadly passed away last February.

The day of the planting would have been her 50th birthday, and a Liriodendron Tulipifera was planted by her husband, David Wade, in her honour. Family, including one of her sons and David’s mother, and friends clustered around the tree to plant it in a great spot, next to the perimeter of the cricket ground in Handsworth Park, between a Wych Elm and a Sycamore.

David had some of her favourite music playing and read out one of her incredible poems. Afterwards the group went on to have tea in the Sons of Rest café nearby. Michael Currie, Birmingham City Council Team Leader at Handsworth Park, had set up the planting, and Rob and Sam from his team did everything else on the day to enable the Liriodendron to have its best possible planting place.

Thank you to all who made this commemorative planting possible, especially Julianne, our Trustee Coordinator for the Treemembrance Programme, who has worked tirelessly to arrange these memorial tree plantings.