Celebrations for the new Charter for Trees, Woods and People in Bute Park reflect on how the trees have inspired artists, poets, writers and other creative pursuits.
It is easy to see how Bute Park could inspire many forms of art.
On the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest a new charter has been put together by many organisations which highlights the cultural impact of trees.
The new Charter for Trees, Woods and People hopes to promote protection of trees and planting of trees, as well as celebrating their cultural impact.
This will be marked in Bute Park by a 15ft high Tree Charter Legacy Pole, which celebrates the role of trees in art, folklore, literature, place names and traditions.
Young People’s Laureate Wales, Sophie McKeand will also have her poetry inscribed on the pole.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said; “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 Tree Charter Pole launch event takes place in Bute Park on 25 November, where a number of events will be occurring.
There will be family and seasonal tree walks in Bute Park to celebrate the event.
Llais y Goedwig is a grassroots community of groups who represent woodlands in Wales.
They are also one of the organisations who have signed up to the new charter.
Network Coordinator for Llais y Goedwig, Liz Mutch comments; “Many members would cite that they have a deep connections to woodlands and that trees inspire creative processes from art, painting, sculpture and photography to artisan craft like green woodworking, furniture making, even timber building.”
For many, experiences in parks and woodlands are very personal.
Liz Mutch recalls, “When I was recording tree stories at the Royal Welsh Show and other Wales wide events I heard stories related to family, happiness, sense of place, childhood, memorial and nature. They were in the majority were positive stories of the way trees and woodlands are embedded in our collective history.”
