Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust has planted two new lime trees and a new hornbeam in Cockington Country Park, thanks to donations kindly received from the Big Noise Chorus and the Cockington Creative Makers.
On Wednesday 22 February, representatives from the Big Noise Chorus, Cockington’s Creative Makers, Friends of Cockington and Councillor Nicole Amil met with Richard Stones, Commercial & Operations Manager and Rob Dawson, Cockington Country Park’s Gardener from Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust to plant the three trees in the park.
Money for the new trees was raised through a raffle held at Cockington Court’s Meet the Makers open evening where all the craft makers generously gifted prizes. Further funds were raised by the Big Noise Chorus choir, who performed a fantastic open-air concert in the park and held a collection for the Trust.
The two new lime trees were planted along the historic lime tree avenue in Cockington Country Park to replace some of the trees previously lost. The lime tree avenue was originally planted along the driveway at Cockington in April 1951 to mark the third General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Conference, where important trade talks took place in Torbay. 38 nations planted 42 lime trees along the Churchway, as far as the Court. A lime tree was planted for each of the countries attending.
The new hornbeam was planted to replace a recently fallen hornbeam, which was a significant tree in the park’s arboretum collection. Hornbeams are very strong deciduous, broadleaf trees, and as they hold onto their leaves all year round, provide a haven for wildlife throughout the year.
Richard Stones, Commercial & Operations Manager of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, said: “We are very grateful for the donations received from the Big Noise Chorus and the Cockington Creative Makers to enable us to continue to care for this most valued local park.
“Not only will these trees continue to represent the historic agreement made between those 38 nations 72 years ago, but also offer the next generation of trees for the park.”
