Shrewsbury service to remember tree champion
A tree is to be planted in Shrewsbury in memory of a Shropshire and Mid Wales reforestation champion.
Tree ecology group The Severn Tree Trust is to plant a tree in Copthorne Park in memory of Ruth Cresswell who was president of the organisation for many years.
The tree planting ceremony will take place at 3pm on March 16.
A London Plane will be planted close to an Oriental Plane that was planted a few years ago in memory of Ruth’s husband David, also a former president of the trust and a long-standing reforestation campaigner.
Ruth’s three children are travelling from the south coast of England, Hong Kong and South Africa to attend the ceremony. Members of the public and anyone who knew Ruth and David are also welcome to attend.
The Cresswells were instrumental figures in The Severn Tree Trust, which has planted many thousands of trees across Shropshire and Montgomeryshire.
David was originally a member of the international tree ecology group Men of Trees, founded in 1922 to champion reforestation efforts around the world.
He set up the Shropshire and Montgomery Branch of the organisation in the 1980s. In 2009 it became The Severn Tree Trust.
Ruth supported the work of her husband and, even when they moved to Eastbourne to be closer to family, they maintained their interest in the group and were invited to become joint presidents.
Spokesman John Tuer said: “David died in 2011 at the age of 85. He had been organising tree planting with the group for many years, planting many trees himself even though he had suffered from polio and walked with two sticks.
“The Trust planted a tree for David - an Oriental Plane - in Copthorne Park, close to where he and Ruth had lived. Ruth continued in her role as President, keeping a keen interest in the trust and giving financial support for tree planting work.
“Former members of the Men of The Trees, the local branch of The International Tree Foundation, or the present Severn Tree Trust are all invited, along with neighbours from Aysgarth Road who knew David and Ruth.”
Ruth died in 2015 aged 87. The tree planting ceremony, taking place at The Beacon pub end of the park, will also mark the 10th anniversary of the trust which has 100 members.
