Inspiring young artists to celebrate our ancient trees
I regularly feel extremely lucky to live in the Surrey Hills. Not only is it England’s most wooded county, but also Surrey is home to some of our nation’s most ancient trees. Such as the Crowhurst Yew, thought to be 4,000 years old! It’s as famous for the wooden door that has been built into the tree.
The Thousand Year Tree
As many of Surrey’s ancient trees are over one thousand years old, to celebrate these wonderful, wise trees, local author Lucy Reynolds and illustrator Katie Hickey, have been working with school children from Weyfield Primary Academy in Guildford on a new children’s book, which will be called The Thousand Year Tree. The school pupils participated in creative workshops, school assemblies and educational visits to Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills where they experienced the wonder of ancient yew trees up close.
Subsequently the children have been creating poems and timelines charting the history of ancient trees which will contribute to the book. Once printed, the book will be distributed across all Surrey’s libraries and additional local schools.
Competition
If you are a primary school aged child, between 4 and 11 years, you too can get involved at your local Surrey library. An exciting competition is open for others to also celebrate our ancient trees. Up until 4 September children have the opportunity to have their artwork included in the book, The Thousand Year Tree.
The winning artwork will be featured on the inside covers of the book. Runner up prizes include book bundles and bookshop tokens.
Head to your local Surrey library to pick up a template. Any art medium can be used, and artwork should be themed around trees and nature. Templates can be returned to any Surrey Library.
Further details including terms and conditions are available on the Surrey Hills Society website.