SCULPTREE AUCTION STUMPS UP SPECTACULAR NEW RECORDS
 Last week’s Festival of the Tree at the National Arboretum, Westonbirt has toppled all records - in more ways than one. Visitor numbers were at an all-time high, with nearly 25,000 attending during a week of beautiful weather.
To top it all, the popular Sculptree auction raised more than £20K for Bristol-based charity Tree Aid, the biggest sum in the event’s 15 year history.
Monday also saw the highest ever bid for a single piece – regular buyer John Nike paid £10,500 for Andrew Frost’s Yggdrasill, which means ‘tree on top of the world’.
Tree Aid’s new president, leading environmentalist Sir Crispin Tickell, was present at the Bank Holiday Monday auction.
“Without a doubt this was the best Sculptree ever,” said Miranda Spitteler from Tree Aid. “I've never seen such a sea of smiling faces from the stage. The great thing is that all that enjoyment will mean we can support even more villagers in Africa to get the most out of their trees; setting up businesses based on tree products - providing a lasting path out of grinding poverty, while improving the environment.”
Forestry Commission events manager Rachael Miller said everyone was pleased with the event: “The auction was absolutely thrilling to watch, exhibitors put on fascinating demonstrations and there was a great variety of crafts to see and buy. There were also some great family attractions and the Willow Dome proved really popular with all ages.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Westonbirt - The National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape.
2. Westonbirt is managed by the Forestry Commission. Visitor numbers are just under 350,000 per annum with a membership of over 22,000.
3. Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
4. Westonbirt is home to the National Maple (Acer) Collection, with over 300 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870. Today we are in the process of creating the world’s best collection of maples.
5. Westonbirt Arboretum is three miles south west of Tetbury on the A433 (Tetbury to Bath Road). It is 10 miles north-east of Junction 18 of the M4 and south-east of junction 13 of the M5.
6. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk
For more information on Tree Aid visit www.treeaid.org.uk or contact Miranda Spitteler during Office Hours on 0117 909 6363. miranda.spitteler@treeaid.org.uk or chloe.templeton@treeaid.org.uk
For more information on the Westonbirt Arboretum or more images (high resolution) please call Alison Jennings or Charlotte Hazelby on 0117 9441166.
e-mail: kellie.lovett@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |