The Walkspace Newsletter - Warden Trees and Earth Parade
Hello walkers!
In this edition of the Walkspace Newsletter we have details of two walks coming up in August which you may like to join. The first is a tree-themed Erratic on Sunday 7th and the second is a colourful procession around Bumble Hole Nature Reserve on Saturday 13th.
Warden Trees of South Birmingham
The Walkspace Erratics is our series of informal public walks led by Walkspace members. They’re a chance to try out new ideas, meet interesting people and explore the West Midlands in unexpected ways.
For August’s Erratic, tree-enthusiasts Roo and Katy invite you to join them on a walk around Cotteridge and Stirchley exploring how trees care for us and how we can care for them. The walk is inspired by the Norse concept of Warden Trees – central trees in towns and villages thought to be bringers of luck and guardians of the people. In return for their protection, locals made offerings (often beer), and they were considered non-human figures in the community.
The walk begins in Hazelwell Park at 2pm, Sunday 7th August. Meet under the majestic oak tree at the far eastern edge of the park (the highest point). As a group we will consider and explore what and where the Warden Trees might be in our own neighbourhoods, and what that two-way act of care might look like. Please bring with you memories of trees, a suitable offering, and a preparedness to wander about. No need to book but please read the important information on the event page before you arrive.
Roaming Flags of Bumble Hole: The Earth Parade
Join us at Bumble Hole Nature Reserve in Dudley on August 13th for the spectacular finale of our Roaming Flags project . Featuring music, readings, rites and of course flags, this parade will celebrate the miraculous transformation of Bumble Hole from a blackened hive of extractive industry into a teeming haven of natural abundance. Our observances will ensure the continued thriving of nature on this land for many years to come.
This is a participatory event and the more people who take part, the stronger the magic will be so please do come along and bring a friend (or several). There are enough flags for everyone. The cotton flags have been coloured with natural dyes and were decorated by the participants of our previous event in July. Now that we’ve created the flags it’s time to fly them.
The procession of the flags will take us on a tour of many of the reserve’s finest features including winding canals, shady woodland, hilltop vistas, industrial ruins and the mouth of a pitch-black tunnel. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Beth Hopkins who will lead sing-a-long renditions of original and traditional folk songs drawn directly from the soil in which the flags will stand.
Meet at 12pm outside the Bumble Hole Nature Reserve Visitor Centre. No need to book. Suitable for all ages. For more information see the event page .
This project is supported by Creative Black Country as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio programme, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and support from CoLab Dudley.
We’ll be in touch again soon with more West Midlands walking updates!
All the best,
Andy, Fiona and Pete: The Walkspace Committee.