Tree Health Centre opens at the Yorkshire Arboretum

We need healthy trees for a healthy future, but trees across the country and around the world are in trouble. Climate change and increasing numbers of pests and diseases are threatening the continued existence of many familiar species in our landscape, just at a time when we need to plant more trees than ever before to capture carbon.

Recognising this the Yorkshire Arboretum has established the country’s first dedicated Tree Health Centre. Launching in September 2021, with a formal opening event on 23 September, it aims to raise awareness of the threats to trees, the need for vigilance to avoid importing other pathogens, and to suggest ways of increasing the resilience of our treescape for the centuries ahead. We look to achieve this by offering classes, courses and public outreach events.

These events, led by specialists, will take place at the Yorkshire Arboretum, using the new, fully-equipped classroom and beautiful, botanically-rich surroundings for unique indoor/outdoor learning experiences.

From Friday 24 September to Sunday 3 October, the arboretum will host a range of activities to commemorate the launch of the Tree Health Centre. Families can get involved in a range of trails round the arboretum, interactive demonstrations, and a kid’s bug hunt and activity pack. There will also be tree health tours of the arboretum, and a talk hosted by guest speaker Prof Nicola Spence –Chief Plant Health Officer at Defra and an arboretum trustee.

Arboretum Director Dr John Grimshaw said: “The launch of the Tree Health Centre comes at a time when everyone is painfully aware of the consequences of climate change, and the need to plant trees to help combat it. We want to help people keep our trees healthy and thriving, and these events offer something for everyone to learn about how to do so.”

Funding included £286,000 from the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund allocation.

David Dickson, Chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Infrastructure and Joint Assets Board, said: “This specialist knowledge centre will build the capacity to protect tree health and lead the way for others. The opportunities for learning will make a real impact, and contribute towards the region’s ambitions to be greener, fairer and stronger.”

Jonathan Pomroy Joins Yorkshire Arboretum as Artist-in-Residence

The Yorkshire Arboretum has announced that artist and birding enthusiast Jonathan Pomroy will begin a year-long tenure as Artist-in-Residence.

Based in Gilling East, Jonathan has been a regular visitor to the arboretum since moving to the area in 2010 with the highlight being the first to see the rare, large flock of Hawfinches that settled there over the winter in 2017/18. Working predominantly in watercolour, but also experimenting with oils, charcoal and pencil, Jonathan’s exhibition will emphasise the benefits to us all of observing nature throughout the year.

In his own words, “I have already been putting the hours in as artist-in-residence. How could I miss the splendour of autumn? I have relished painting the landscapes and getting to know the hidden corners and individual trees. I am keen to heighten awareness of the relationship birds have with trees – the last few weeks have seen many sketching visits, sometimes for Hawfinches, but also Redwings, Fieldfares, Goldcrests and that pine specialist, the Crossbill.”

As part of his residency, Jonathan will engage with visitors through social media and blogging regularly from the arboretum, as well as running small outdoor workshops – dates will be confirmed in the New Year.

An exhibition of the body of work Jonathan produces during his year-long residency will run from Friday 17th September to Monday 18th October 2021, featuring original paintings, prints and other merchandise.

Stay up to date with Jonathan by following him on social media: Twitter @JonathanMPomroy Instagram @PomroyJonathan

Meg Huby Debuts Artist Residency Exhibition

Locally-based artist Meg Huby will introduce an all-new exhibition of work based on her year as Artist-in-Residence at the Yorkshire Arboretum, from 18th September to 19th October. Meg began her residency in the autumn of 2019, and brought together "A long-term fascination with the ecology of trees and a relatively new interest in making art.” Meg, who began her career as a biologist before becoming a lecturer in social policy at the University of York, discovered a passion for drawing and painting six years ago.  

The exhibition, ‘The Yearly Trick of Looking New’, will including pieces of Meg’s work produced during her residency. It celebrates transience and change in nature while recognising the interdependency between all forms of life and the crucial role of the arboretum in tree protection. The title is drawn from Philip Larkin’s poem, ‘The Trees’. 

In her own words, Meg’s artistic style tries to “find a way between [photorealism and pure abstraction]. The tension between them is like the tension between the solid physicality and apparent permanence of life in the arboretum and its transient, constantly changing nature. Absorbing the arboretum from all angles – observing, sketching, photographing and reading – informs and influences my paintings and prints.” Her approach involves a great deal of experimentation with materials and techniques. “The oil paintings are built upon layers of underpainting and glazing and use different types of support. A favourite tool is an electric hand-sander!”

The exhibition will feature original artwork – with oil and watercolour paintings, collagraphs and eco-prints – as well as a small selection of printed greetings cards. It is free to view in the arboretum visitor centre. Protective face coverings should be worn while viewing the exhibition.

Find Meg on Instagram @MegsterArt

Arboretum Cafe Reopens - Attains 'We're Good to Go' Industry Standard Mark

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The Yorkshire Arboretum reopened its popular café on Friday 17th July. The Arboretum Café is now open 11am-4pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a revised menu and processes in place to maintain cleanliness and social distancing. Earlier this month the arboretum applied to The National Tourism Organisations of Great Britain & Ireland and, following a risk assessment review, was granted the ‘We’re Good to Go’ COVID-19 Industry Standard mark. The mark is recognition of the arboretum’s adherence to government and industry COVID-19 guidelines – a one-way flow system is in place with clear, easy-to-follow signposting. Hand sanitiser stations are in place at the arboretum entrance, in the Visitor Centre and at the café counter.

Arboretum Director Dr John Grimshaw said: “We know how much the Arboretum Café is valued and enjoyed by so many people, and it gives us great pleasure to see it open again. We hope the ‘We’re Good to Go’ mark and cleanliness measures ensure visitors feel confident in visiting again. The arboretum looks particularly spectacular this summer, and the café terrace is still the place to take in the views while indulging your taste buds. Our revised menu sees a great many of your old favourites returning, and our delectable homemade cakes are as good as ever!”

The Arboretum Café is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, extending to include Mondays and Thursdays from August.

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Hobson and Porter Begin Work on UK's First Dedicated Tree Health Centre

Yorkshire & Lincolnshire based construction firm Hobson & Porter Ltd have won the contract to build the UK’s first Tree Health Centre. The Yorkshire Arboretum, located near Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, has raised funds to build and operate the UK’s first purpose-built facility to expand public awareness about the threats to our trees posed by an increasing number of pests and diseases, and the need to keep our trees as healthy as possible. Capital funding for the project has come from the Peter Sowerby Foundation, £286,000 of the Government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (YNYER LEP) and from private donations. Start up and operating funding has come from The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.

Designed by SALT Architects of Beverley, East Yorkshire, the Tree Health Centre will offer training courses given by specialists and cater to all levels of expertise. Following successful pilot courses held in 2018, the centre will offer training on a commercial basis mixing classroom, lab and outdoor learning settings, as well as a public outreach programme.

Yorkshire Arboretum Chief Operating Officer Mathew Harrison says: “We are delighted to announce Hobson & Porter Ltd as building contractors for the Tree Health Centre. The company has strong links across Yorkshire with a proven track record of delivering third sector projects – they are keen to promote environmental preservation, and we believe their approach matches our core strategy and values.”

Sam Alexander, chair of YNYER LEP’s Skills and Employability Board, said: “The natural environment plays a vital role in our social and economic health as a region. It is crucial we have the skills available to protect Yorkshire landscapes and contribute to tree health in the UK and beyond. With the help of funding secured by the LEP, this specialist knowledge centre will build the capacity in the region to protect tree health and lead the way for others. We’re pleased to see the project reach this latest milestone.”

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “We’re deeply committed to boosting economic growth and levelling up our communities across the North and the Midlands.

“It’s great to hear that thanks to over £285,000 from the Local Growth Fund, the UK’s first Tree Health Centre is being built right here in the Northern Powerhouse and will safeguard the region’s natural environment for future generations to come.”

Arboretum Director John Grimshaw said ‘We’ve been planning this building for ages, and it’s so exciting to see works starting at last. We look forward to delivering sound advice on the management of healthy trees for a healthy environment – a critical issue for us all.’

Click here to download the original press release.

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