Celebrating Ancient Trees – Banner Making and parade
Artist Joanna Callaghan brought together local people to learn about ancient trees and the species they support through a banner making creative workshop at Herefordshire Woodland. It was an opportunity to connect to nature through creation in a natural setting.
The public were invited to come to Moccas Park to take part in a community art event celebrating ancient trees and the endangered species that rely on them.
Artist Joanna Callaghan was commissioned by Back from the Brink to create the event as a moving ceremony of respect for the more than 2000 species that rely on ancient trees.
Participants created their own banners using all natural materials at home representing the species that are endangered by the loss of this habitat, to bring to the parade event on the 2nd December.
Jo decided she wanted to celebrate these species through a parade in a space that meant a lot to the project. She therefor ran a workshop, inviting people to use natural materials to create a series of banners, inspired by the rare wildlife found in this project – from the Violet Click Beetle to the Knothole Moss. People created wonderful works using natural papers, sticks, berries and even glue made from natural materials!
“On a blustery winter’s day, we gathered together at Moccas Park – a space normally closed to the public but one of many Ancients of the Future sites across England. People brought their banners with them and we paraded through the park – holding our banners high! Our project staff were there to help on the day, guiding people through the types of species that you can find in deadwood and older trees. We then stopped at the oldest tree in the park, circled it and stepped forward announcing our species. It was a short but very touching ceremony with children and older adults alike, coming together to show their passion for wildlife… It was a wonderful afternoon and one that I’m sure people will never forget, we sure won’t!”
Event took place at
Moccas Park
Moccas Park is one of the largest and most diverse examples of wood pasture remaining in Britain. It is the only know location of the incredibly rare Moccas beetle (Hypebaeus Flavipes). Around 45 hectares of new wood pasture has been created by Natural England and Woodland Trust at Moccas Hill Wood where we have funded enclosures and tree guards for native tree and nectar shrub planting. Moccas Park is not normally open to the public, so this was a great opportunity to experience an exciting event in an unfamiliar and beautiful landscape, and learn about the importance of ancient trees.



Ancients of the Future Event
'CELEBRATING ANCIENT TREES – BANNER MAKING AND PARADE'

Barberry Carpet Moth Event
'COME-A-WASSAILING '

Black-tailed Godwit Event
'TO FLY ADVENTUROUS'

Gems in the Dunes Event
'WALKING ART WORKSHOPS'

Gems in the Dunes Event
'BUCKTHORN BASH WORKSHOP '

Gems in the Dunes Event
'OUTDOOR PORCELAIN WORKSHOP'

Gems in the Dunes Event
'OUTDOOR CYANOTYPE WORKSHOP'

Colour in the Margins Event
'DRAWING FROM NATURE '

Colour in the Margins Event
'DISCOVER, CREATE, VALUE '

















Meet an artist
Celebrating Ancient Trees – Banner Making and parade workshop organised by an amazing artist Joanna Callaghan.

Joanna Callaghan
Environmentalist | From: Herefordshire
Woodland owner and manager, Coppice crafts practitioner, events organiser, artist.
"I invited people to come together in a walk of hope and support around Moccas Deer Park. The walk was a procession with handcrafted banners and ended with a simple ceremony. It was a fun, creative and moving family event, in a beautiful place”
The Art of saving species
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