Stonehouse threw a party for one of its oldest residents on Sunday 3 October, as the Globe willow celebrated its 100th birthday.
Located outside the Globe Inn, the willow has been one of the most iconic trees and landmarks at the heart of the town’s community for many years.
It was pollarded on the day by Arboricultural Association (AA) Approved Contractors Bartlett Tree Experts, as the crowd delivered a rousing rendition of happy birthday.
Cuttings were distributed to children for them to grow their own Globe willow at home, and all of the children also received a party bag and a slice of birthday cake.
More than 250 visitors attended the event over the course of the day, making the most of some glorious sunshine and dodging the occasional shower. They were entertained by jugglers on unicycles who also made balloon animals for the children, and music was provided by a local ukulele band.
Refreshments were served by Stonehouse in Bloom volunteers and there were a number of stalls where visitors could learn about the work of groups including the local gardening club, Women’s Institute and the Stonehouse Community Climate Action Forum.
Stonehouse History Group provided a display telling the story of the Globe willow, and descendants of the town councillor who originally planted the tree in 1921 were also present.
The Arboricultural Association were in attendance to give tree care advice amongst a pop-up forest created from the 25 trees which will be planted around the town in the next few months, all supplied by Barcham tree nursery.
The first tree of the season, an Atlas cedar, was planted on the village green in front of the Globe Inn by AA CEO John Parker, with some help from local residents.
The event also marked the launch of the Stonehouse Community Arboretum Management Plan – the new tree and woodland strategy for the town which sets out ambitious plans to transform the way trees in Stonehouse are cared for, planted, appreciated and understood.
At the heart of the plan is community engagement, and the Globe Willow birthday party was just the first of what will hopefully be many events to do just that as the excerpt from the 100th birthday card suggests:
“When planting a tree we are improving things not only for people who live in Stonehouse today, but in in future generations. It is thanks to the foresight of the Stonehouse community in 1921, and to a century of tree care management, that we are able to enjoy the Globe Willow today. It is hoped that the trees we plant in 2021 will be celebrated by our descendants, one hundred years from now.”
You can view the new tree and woodland strategy, as well as the specially produced birthday card below.
The plan is available to download here: Read More
View the Willow’s 100th Birthday Card:
View Birthday Card
Globe Atlas Tree Planting
Globe Willow Birthday Cake
Globe Willow Birthday Card
The new Atlas cedar
The Globe Willow Band
Bartlett Tree Experts pollarding the Globe Willow