The city centre park has been selected as one of 10 UK sites (and the only one in Wales) to host a 15ft high Tree Charter legacy pole. Each of the ten poles signifies one principle of the charter.
The pole in Bute Park signifies the principle celebrating the cultural impact of trees – the way they are woven into our art, literature, folklore, place names and traditions – and will be specially created from Oak grown on the Crown Estate and carved by Simon Clements at the Sylva Wood Centre in Abingdon.
Inscribed on the pole are lines of poetry written by Young People’s Laureate Wales, Sophie McKeand. Sophie has also been specially commissioned to write a further, longer poem inspired by stories she has gathered about the park and its trees through a series of creative workshops and drop-in sessions. Sophie will be reading the poem at the free event on 25th November which runs from 11am – 2pm. Visitors to the park will also be able to enjoy acoustic performances by traditional Welsh folk musicians and a range of family-friendly activities.
The event, which will be attended by The Rt. Honourable Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, will also feature two ‘tree walks’ – one aimed at families with children, and one aimed at adults. Tickets for the walks are free, but must be booked in advance, and include complimentary food and drinks.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: “The presence of trees has been shown to have a real impact on health, wellbeing and happiness so we’re lucky to have Bute Park’s impressive arboretum right at the heart of the city.”
“Given Cardiff’s rich cultural and creative heritage it’s fitting that one of our best loved parks has been chosen to celebrate the principle of the Tree Charter that recognises the impact of trees on our culture.”
The Woodland Trust’s Tree Charter Project Lead,Matt Larsen-Daw, said: “Two years in the making, rooted in more than 60,000 stories from people across the UK, and crafted by more than 70 organisations in collaboration, the Tree Charter really has been a labour of love. And love is a good word to associate with the charter. It exists to demonstrate the huge groundswell of love for trees that exists across UK society.”
Tickets to the event are free but must be booked in advance via:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dathlur-siarter-coed-taith-tree-charter-celebration-seasonal-walk-tickets-39217555765