Wishing trees, MF7004
Click here for the story of the Wishing trees from March 2020
6.1.21 I finally unravelled the Wishing trees outside my house and on The Downs at the end of October and beginning of November as I had promised that I would. The timing felt bad though as England went into its second lockdown due to Coronavirus at the same time. I obviously hadn't planned that, but had decided that especially the tree on The Downs needed a break for the winter. The Wishing tree on Horfield Common is still in situ. I must take it down, but as it's not attached to an actual tree, just around the council cage around a small tree, it's not doing any harm. But it does look rather tired. Now seems a really bad time to do it again, as we begin our third lockdown!
I am very grateful to Nick James who went to the Wishing tree on The Downs early every morning for months. He was shielding. He posted photos and videos of the new messages and tokens and his kites flying near the tree regularly for months. He also very kindly started to unravel the tree. Many thanks to Dave, my partner, and my good friend, Karen Saben, for helping with the final unravelling. It would have been grim to do it alone, but to do it with company and some socially distanced reflection and conversation made it a pleasurable experience. I felt sad that it is finished, but grateful for that wonderful closure.
The fourth Wishing tree, at Purdown, was dismantled some time ago by someone else. I quite liked that, although I would like to know who did it, just out of curiosity.
During this module, the Wishing trees have still been active. Even since we unravelled them, some people have added messages and tokens to the trees at Purdown and on The Downs. I have taken photos and screenshots so maybe one day there will be the second instalment of the life of the Wishing trees, but for now, it's enough. However, yesterday, the second day of the third lockdown in England, I did walk on The Downs and I have to confess, I added a token of my own. Part of me wants the purpose, connections and anticipation that tending the Wishing trees brought during the first lockdown, but a bigger part of me wants to think of another way to foster hope and community during these oh so difficult times.
Who knows whether they will take on a life of their own? I am attempting to nurture the fifth, virtual Wishing tree on my Instagram account, @socialengagement. Follow that link to find out more about that.
I am very grateful to Nick James who went to the Wishing tree on The Downs early every morning for months. He was shielding. He posted photos and videos of the new messages and tokens and his kites flying near the tree regularly for months. He also very kindly started to unravel the tree. Many thanks to Dave, my partner, and my good friend, Karen Saben, for helping with the final unravelling. It would have been grim to do it alone, but to do it with company and some socially distanced reflection and conversation made it a pleasurable experience. I felt sad that it is finished, but grateful for that wonderful closure.
The fourth Wishing tree, at Purdown, was dismantled some time ago by someone else. I quite liked that, although I would like to know who did it, just out of curiosity.
During this module, the Wishing trees have still been active. Even since we unravelled them, some people have added messages and tokens to the trees at Purdown and on The Downs. I have taken photos and screenshots so maybe one day there will be the second instalment of the life of the Wishing trees, but for now, it's enough. However, yesterday, the second day of the third lockdown in England, I did walk on The Downs and I have to confess, I added a token of my own. Part of me wants the purpose, connections and anticipation that tending the Wishing trees brought during the first lockdown, but a bigger part of me wants to think of another way to foster hope and community during these oh so difficult times.
Who knows whether they will take on a life of their own? I am attempting to nurture the fifth, virtual Wishing tree on my Instagram account, @socialengagement. Follow that link to find out more about that.
Here are some images of the last days of the Wishing trees, and the unravelling: