Tree Life: a guided creative walk on Hodge Hill Common

Event Information

Soobie Whitfield is a local resident and a freelance applied theatre facilitator with a particular interest in linking communities to their local environment through the creative arts. She leads outdoor guided ‘walkshops’ and was recently Community Artist in Residence in Castle Bromwich, running the ‘Our Green and Common Land’ project.
Soobie has been supporting and leading Urban Tree Festival events since 2020.

The walk will focus on two areas: one around an established tree and one sapling tree. The walk will include information about each tree and its unique habitat and folklore, with an opportunity to respond creatively as part of planning a proposed urban orchard.

All creative materials will be provided or collected during the walk.

Contributors

Friends of Hodge Hill Common

Friends of Hodge Hill Common was founded in January 2023, bringing local residents and those who care about the common together with a three-fold purpose:

1. To safeguard and raise awareness of the common’s natural beauty, ecological importance, and historic heritage.

2. To address litter and fly-tipping problems, helping keep the common clean and safe.

3. To build community among the diversity of people interested in the common, encouraging local engagement through events and activities.
   Regular all-age activity afternoons occur on the first Saturday of each month at 2pm.

@hodgehillcommonfriends, @soobiewhitfield

Location of event

Location: Hodge Hill Common, B36 8AG — this is the closest house. Walk onto common opposite to meet on open grass area. There will be signs. 

What3words: ///enjoy.dated.meant

Ends: End location will also be on the common but at a different point. The common is a fairly small area, and attendees can be walked back to the starting point if needed. Nearest bus stop: Coleshill Road (Buses 28 or 94), Hodge Hill Common Bus Stop.