First Base in partnership with University of Brighton students have produced and launched a map to help people learn more about the city’s famous elm trees. The launch on 2 November in the Pavilion Gardens was attended by over forty residents, councillors and businesses.
In attendance was representatives from Brighton and Hove City Council, Visit Brighton, Pavilion Gardens Café, Peter Bourne (Brighton’s elm expert) and a number of other local representatives. Known as the National Elm Collection in recognition of Brighton and Hove’s success in fighting the deadly Dutch elm disease, the city’s 17,000 elms include the 400-year-old Preston Twins in Preston Park, considered the largest and oldest surviving English Elms in Europe. Councillor Gill Mitchell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee was in attendance and thanked First Base and the rest of the partnership for their efforts.
Illustration student Gustav Freij and graphic design students Jessica Keene and Jennifer Whitworth who worked on the maps said: “It was a fantastic experience to work on this project. Not only has it given us the opportunity to work on a live project, but it’s also a great cause – to protect and preserve Brighton’s historic elm tree collection.” Eeva Paasiaro, development manager for First Base, said: “The importance of elm trees in Brighton and Hove should be understood by all. That is why we will bring as many new elm trees as possible to our Anston House site and encourage local residents and visitors to learn more about them and their history in this city via this newly created map.”
David Sewell, from Friends of Pavilion Gardens, added: “Elms in Brighton & Hove are part of the National Collection and it is really important they get the recognition they deserve.” The map was commissioned by First Base and supported by Friends of Pavilion Gardens Café, The University of Brighton, The Brighton and Lewes Downs UNESCO World Biosphere Region and VisitBrighton.
Click here to download the map