Newsletter – Spring/Summer 2012 - Reading Borough Council

Spring/Summer Newsletter 2012Hello and welcome to all our members and to those who have recently requestedinformation about Reading Tree Warden Network activities who are reading ournewsletter for the first time.Since the last newsletter, in January, the RTWN have been involved with the 2012Celebration Tree Plantings across Reading. Working in partnership with Trees for Cities,BTCV (now TCV, The Conservation Volunteers), Tilehurst Globe, Caversham Globe,Redlands Globe, Festival Republic, Kia Motors, Connect Reading, Redlands WI, SSC andmany local residents.We would like to thank Rabbits Vehicle Hire for their support of the RTWN by providingvehicles to transport the trees and equipment over the planting season.A big thank you goes to everyone who helped out at the various tree planting events. Anumber of Tree Wardens gave up their time to organise events, deliver leaflets and planttrees that will make a huge difference to Reading for years to come. We hope youenjoyed it!These are just a selection of the planting projects in February and March supportedby the Tree Wardens;-Following a consultation/information exercise carried out by RTWN, Tree Wardens joinedstaff from Kia Motors at Long Barn Lane Recreation Ground to plant 6 extra heavystandard Elm trees to extend the existing Elm Avenue planted 3 years ago and 2Lombardy poplar trees.On a very wet Saturday in March TCV supported the Tree Wardens with the planting of anavenue of 40 extra heavy standard trees [20 Tulip and 20 Liquidambar]. The Communityplanting event attracted around 50 people; many of whom were local residents. Anofficial naming of the avenue as “Olympic Way” will take place in the autumn.Tree Wardens, a team from SSE (Southern and Scottish Electric) and staff from RivermeadLeisure Centre planted 1,000 whips in March. Our thanks go to Millie Brown from Treesfor Cities and Sara Kopp for their help. The planting is intended to screen an artificialBadger sett at Little John’s Farm (site of Reading Festival who funded the planting),which will be constructed later in the year.

Beacon Trees to celebrate the Jubilee and the London 2012 Games have beenplanted across the borough:-The Hon Mary Bayliss, Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire joined members of the RTWN to planta Sweet Chestnut in St Marys Churchyard in the town centre, to commemorate HerMajesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.A Jubilee tree planting also took place at Cintra where a Cedar tree was planted bymembers of the Redlands WI who had raised the funds for the celebration tree.Wellingtonias were also planted as part of the 2012 Tree Planting at Bridge Street/BearIsland, Christchurch Playing Fields, Tilehurst Triangle, Cockney Hill/Usk Road, Brook StWest/Lower Brook St, Basingstoke Road, Henley Road, Tilehurst Road, Reading OldCemetery, Palmer Park and Coly Rec.This has been a very successful tree planting programme and we are now identifyingfuture planting schemes for later in the year.Reading Borough Council Grants UpdateThe RTWN have been successful in securing a capital Grant for the purchase of tools andequipment and a Community Grant for publicity, to ensure we continue to spread theword and hopefully encourage more people to get involved with the RTWN.RTWN annual programme – Can you help?The Reading Tree Wardens have been very active over the past year but still need yourskills to support the annual programme. We would like to hear from you if you would beinterested in;-• Managing the RTWN website• Organising events• Planning Tree Walks• Taking photographs• Taking part in practical tasksPlease email rtwn2011@gmail.com for more details.Reading Tree Warden Events Programme 2012These are the events we have planned for the next three months, starting with ‘the walkin the woods month of May’ http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/community-action/walk-inthe-woodsMAYMay 10 th Reading University Tree Walk, led by Rupert Taylor meeting point Car Park(E6) at 6.15 for registration for a 6.30pm. Please let us know if you wish to attend as weneed to know the numbers. Email Planning.naturalenvironment@reading.gov.ukMay 16 th Tree Quest’ workshops at Reading Children’s Festival, Meadow Madness,Art and drama activities through which we explore the trees of Christchurch Meadows.Suitable for 4 - 11s. 12 children per session (plus their parents/carers)Sessions are 11.30 - 12.30 and 1.30 - 2.30 Led by Natalie Ganpatsingh, Nature Nurture CICTo book call 0118 9372771 or email Communications@reading.gov.ukMay 28th Prospect Park an evening walk around the historic landscape of ProspectPark. The park was laid out for John Liebenrood in the mid C19 around a C18 house. To

the north of the mansion is the Rookery; oak woodland on the plateau behind the house.The woodland is crossed by a network of informal C19 paths that may have been designedto provide views out from the hilltop. The southside of the park has several magnificentoak trees and fragmentary remains of C19 hedge lines. The remnants of an old pearorchard are to the west of the house. The walk will also take in recent planting, andexplain some of the difficulties of tree management in historic landscapes. The walk willbe led by Dr Carolyn Jenkins. Meet at Prospect Park Pavilion at 6.15pm for registration- 6.30pm start. Please email rtwn2011@gmail.com if you would like to attend.May 30th As part of Reading Children’s Festival 'Wild Woods Adventure Club', afterschool workshop at the Rookery, Prospect Park. Discover the Rookery woodland throughart and drama. Tying in with Walk in the Woods month and Reading Tree Wardens:Suitable for 4 - 11s, 12 children (plus their parents/carers)Session runs 3.45pm - 6pm, Led by Natalie Ganpatsingh, Nature Nurture CICTo book call 0118 9372771 or email Communications@reading.gov.ukJUNEJune 16 th Leadership of Practical Projects for Local Conservations Groups led byTCV (The Conservation Volunteers formally BTCV)Good leadership of practical conservation projects is vital if volunteers are to worksafely, effectively and want to come back again in the future.This course will provide sufficient information to enable you to gain an awareness andunderstanding of the role of a practical project leader and the qualities a good leaderrequires. Training runs from 9.30am – 4.30pmTo book and for more details http://shop.tcv.org.uk/shop/stock?l=level4;lid=43;sid=9358(Course is showing full but there are still spaces)June 20 th Reading Tree Warden Network Annual General Meeting/ Caversham CourtGardens Tree WalkThe AGM starts at 6.15pm at Church House, 59 Church Street, Caversham, RG4 8AX NBthe agenda and nomination forms will be sent out later in the month. The AGM willbe followed by a Tree Identification Walk of Caversham Court Gardens at 7.30pm, pleaseemail rtwn2011@gmail.com if you would like to attend.JULYJuly 18 th Tall Trees and Village Gems: Tilehurst Tree Walk meet at Tilehurst Stationforecourt at 6.15pm for registration - 6.30pm start.Anna Iwaschkin, Tree Warden and Berkshire teacher, will lead us on a circular walkfeaturing Tilehurst's legacy of beautiful and historic trees, with tree lore and tips as wego and glimpse into the life of the village at the turn of the last century to provide acontext. The walk, which is expected to last about one and a half hours, will be onpavement and parkland. The terrain in Tilehurst is hilly, so do wear appropriatefootwear. A pushchair with robust wheels should be fine in the undulating parkland butdo check with us if you have any queries.If you are interested it would be appreciated if you would confirm your attendance byemail rtwn2011@gmail.com .If you have any ideas for walks or activities over the next few months pleaseemail rtwn2011@gmail.comMany thanks for your continued interest and support.