Music and tree planting combine to share sustainability message

This tree planting was no normal affair though, as volunteers and performers from The Promise Opera team worked alongside each other to both plant the trees and sing together in the beautiful surroundings of the Rode Hall estate. Our woodland advisor, Dave, even joined in!

The project came about as Wild Rumpus are working closely with the team who are developing 'The Promise', a new outdoor opera for families which will be performed at locations across the country next year.

The Promise is a much-loved children's story, about a young girl surviving in a hard city, where nothing grows and no one ever smiles. One night, she meets a woman and makes her a strange promise – one that involves her planting an acorn. Slowly colour, warmth and music return to the world, a forest grows and a community is forged.

Hayley, Partnership Manager for Wild Rumpus, said: "Connection to nature is at the heart of all our work at Wild Rumpus. We were thrilled to be able to partner with both The Mersey Forest and The Promise Opera team to plant trees and grow the existing woodland area of our site.  

"Not only will the trees enhance biodiversity and be appreciated by the many organisations and individuals who use the site for project development and performance, but it was an opportunity to learn about the planting process and help develop The Promise Opera's wonderful plans for community planting events and collaborations across the country."

 

Connecting people with nature

The Promise story is really in keeping with the values of England's Community Forests - connecting people in some of the country's most deprived communities with nature, by planting woodlands in and around our towns and cities.

We've seen first-hand, the benefits this brings for people's wellbeing, connecting communities and bringing a whole host of learning opportunities for families and neighbourhoods, as well as supporting wildlife and the local environment.

This project was funded by the national Trees for Climate programme, part of the Government-led Nature for Climate Fund.
In total 52 trees were planted across the site with 20 volunteers helping on the day.

Find out more about The Promise Opera and Wild Rumpus.