Hastings & St Leonards Celebrate Urban Trees!
Hastings & St Leonards is special, that's why I live here! I'm very lucky to have been able to move to the coast, a dream not many of us can realise. I will always be grateful for that.
When moving here I did my homework but clearly not enough! I've discovered that the town is not just where the Battle of Hastings took place (8km to the north of here!), where Robert Tressell wrote The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and where the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe is based.
I've discovered that Hastings boasts a mulberry tree taken from a cutting from Shakespeare's garden in Stratford. All mulberry trees in Hastings are reportedly from the original one gifted to Edward Capell (the censor of plays in the 1700s) by the Shakespearen actor, David Garrick.
The town is also home to thousands of urban trees; many of them in open spaces and public parks. Alexandra Park, the 'jewel in the crown' when it comes to tree varieties is home to more 'champion trees' (a champion tree being the largest or tallest of its kind; something else I've just discovered!) than any other public park in England. Seventy-seven other trees in the park are county champions.
This year, to coincide with the Urban Tree Festival local groups are staging a number of events celebrating our urban trees, and highlighting their importance in cleaning our air, providing shelter from the intense heat of climate-change induced hotter summers, providing habitats for wildlife and benefitting our mental wellbeing.
Images: Jemma Bruno @gemflows_ & @blk_butterfly
The deputy mayor, Cllr David Whitehill will attend some of the programmed events. Local man, Dr Owen Johnson, registrar of Britain's and Ireland's champion trees who was already part of an event on Wednesday 14 May, has agreed to conduct a second walk in Alexandra Park on Saturday 17 May.
Other events during the week include arts workshops, urban forest bathing, tree ID trails, information stall on caring for trees and the opportunity to wander around a train station community garden.
We really hope that by celebrating our urban trees, we will all be more aware of their importance in our eco system, and learn to enjoy and coexist with these beautiful perennial plants.
2025 Programme
Urban trees stall, centre Hastings
Saturday 10/5 - Walk and Tree ID trail
10am-12pm for families at Church Wood Community Orchard. Leader Mary Dawson. FREE. Donations for CWCO welcome. Meet at church car park, TN38 9PB Church in the Wood Lane. Contact rainbowsmary@gmail.com 07917 716411
Sunday 11/5 - Nature Connection Session
10am-11.15am or 11.30-12.45 pm Linton Gardens. Get to know a local greenspace in a different way! The session is based on the principles of Forest Bathing, but you do not need to be in a forest to enjoy it! We’ll spend time connecting to the natural world through some restful, gentle and playful activities. Contact theanimateheart@gmail.com to book/for more information. FREE with donations to CWCO gratefully received.
Monday 12/5 - A Celebration of Trees
10am-12.30pm at Art in the Park. Create different types of artwork in an exciting morning alongside local artists. Part of the Grow Project. FREE with donations to Arts on Prescription gratefully received. Located in Alexandra Park, opposite number 50 Lower Park Road.
Contact info@artsonprescription.org
Tuesday 13/5 - Yo-Yo Club Treemendous!
10am-12pm Creative Fun with Marta Munoz & Friends. £5 per child, £2 extra siblings at Art in the Park Pavilion, Alexandra Park. Book at info@artsonprescription.org or drop in.
Enthusiastic walkers on a tree ID trail in Church Wood Community Orchard
Wednesday 14/5 - Alexandra Park Greenhouse with Sussex Gardens Trust
2pm-5pm guided tree walk with Dr Owen Johnson celebrating designer of Alexandra Park, Robert Marnock. A circular walk starting at Alexandra Park Greenhouse, ends with tea and cake. Now Fully Booked with a waiting list.
Thursday 15/5 - We Love Trees!
11am-3pm Planting and Care of Trees information and art activity. In Priory Meadow Come along to learn and create. Contact rainbowsmary@gmail.com
Friday 16/5 - Love of Trees
Yemii from Stitch TLC Home Education Group at Black Butterfly. Part of the Joyful Roots Programme. Hatton's Yard, 4a Hatherley Rd, St Leonards TN37 6LB
Contact dawn@blackbutterfly.org.uk
Saturday 17/5 - Spring Open Day
11am-3pm Ore Community Land Trust. Plant sales, woodland tours and refreshments. Contact engagement@oreclt.org. In Ore below the village green, off Old London Road.
Saturday 17/5 - Tree Walk With Dr Owen Johnson, Alexandra Park
10.30am-12.30pm from Harmer's lay-by in Alexandra Park, meet at top of the steps near the Pumphouse cafe and deli. £10 Booking via info@artsonprescription.org
Sunday 18/5 - Walk Through Summersfields Wood Nature Reserve
1pm onwards. BYO mini picnic and enjoy a musical interlude from violinist, Sam Browne. Meeting time: 12.45pm - 1pm by the bus stop on Bohemia Road nearest to Hastings fire / police stations. Contact dawn@blackbutterfly.org.uk Not suitable for those with accessibility issues, due to the terrain.
Sunday 18/5 - Warrior Square Station Community Garden
2pm-4pm Transition Town Hastings invite you to wander and tree-spot in the community garden, where the apple, cherry, plum, persimmon, walnut and other trees planted nearly a decade ago continue to teach us much about resilience under poor conditions! Details from info@transitiontownhastings.org.uk or just turn up.
Programme coordinated by:
Mary, Church Wood Community Orchard and
Mairin and Caroline, Grow Project, Art in the Park/Arts on Prescription
Tree-themed activity Alexandra Park
Main pic: Enthusiastic walkers on a tree ID trail in Church Wood Community Orchard