Hollington Valley treedressing, Saturday 6 December: join us!

November 13, 2014 by combehavendefenders

Join us on Saturday 6 December for a treedressing event in Hollington Valley. Tree decoration, songs, stories, hot soup, cake and old friends.  What better way to spend an afternoon?

Treedressing is an ancient custom celebrating the magical and life-giving properties of trees.  It has been part of different cultures all over the world, with people gathering to decorate, bless and give thanks to their trees.

In Britain, the practice of treedressing was revived in 1990 by the charity Common Ground, and the first weekend in December designated as National Treedressing Day(s).

In our part of East Sussex, more and more trees are under threat from development.  Hundreds were cut down to make way for the link road, more have been felled for business parks, and now the trees of Hollington Valley Site of Nature Conservation Importance are threatened by the Queensway Gateway Road.

Join us to celebrate our trees, and to pledge to protect them.

Our treedressing oak tree in spring

Where: Hollington Valley SNCI, off Whitworth Road, TN37 7PZ (behind Sainsbury’s)

When: Saturday 6 December.  Tour of proposed road route 2.30pm, treedressing 3.30- 5.30pm.

How to get there: The entrance to the site is a footpath at the end of Whitworth Road, just north of Sainsbury’s (map).  The tree, a wonderful old oak, is very close to the start of the footpath.

Buses: 23 goes to Sainsbury’s but the last one arrives at 2.13pm.  After that time you’ll need to get the 26 to Harrow Lane (by Baldslow Post Office) – there’s a footpath that cuts through to Sedlescombe Road North, then another footpath directly opposite that runs through to the site

What to bring: It could be very wet and muddy so wellies or boots essential.  Bring a torch, candles in jars, anything you want to use to decorate the tree. A hot drink – we’re aiming to provide some but extra is always good.