Would you like to dedicate a tree in Chew Stoke to remember a loved one, celebrate a birth, anniversary or other special occasion?

Your dedication will provide a meaningful, long-lasting tribute that can be visited time after time.

The trees : Ash, Aspen, Beech, Silver Birch, Oak and Willow have been planted at Cooks Meadow; parish owned open access land with stunning views overlooking Chew Stoke and the Valley.

Cooks Meadow and adjoining fields and woodland were left to the parish of Chew Stoke by Brian Westaway. Brian came to the village as a WWIl evacuee from London and was taken care of by the Cook Family. Brian fell in love with Chew Valley and ended up staying in Chew Stoke. Cooks Meadow has been named to recognise the kindness of the Cook family in taking Brian into their family.

The parish owned Brian Westaway land includes two agricultural fields, a young woodland and the Cooks Meadow area. It is managed by the Parish Council and the Brian Westaway Working Group. The Working Group has planted over 45 native trees on Cooks Meadow as well as opening up a permissive pathway through the existing woodland and installing gates to allow access. The agricultural fields are let out to Chew Stoke farmers, the Baker family. The fields are managed following regenerative farming practices working with nature to increase soil fertility and increase carbon capture. Rental income from the fields is used by the Parish Council for improving recreational facilities in the village.

Cooks Meadow is publicly accessible and can be reached by a number of footpath routes from the village. Visitors are permitted to walk through the Cooks Meadow site. Take time to stop and sit on the stone bench to be constructed in the meadow and enjoy the beautiful views of the Somerset landscape. Maybe take a picnic on a sunny day. The adjoining established woodland can be accessed via a permissive path.

All the trees were planted in February 2022 by the Bryan Westaway Working Group and have been carefully nurtured since then to give them the best start in life. The trees have been sleeved, staked and woodchipped and are well spaced from each other. Despite the parched summer of 2022, the trees have established nicely and show all the signs of developing into strong and mature trees.

Dedication donations will help to fund the maintenance of Cooks Meadow and the adjoining woodland.

Trees available to dedicate include :

Aspen: This is a beautiful tree with flowering catkins in spring and shimmering leaf foliage in summer.

In Celtic mythology, the visual effect of an aspen shimmering in the wind was said to be the tree communicating between this world and the next. Aspens are a great harbour for insects attracting feeding birds and ladybirds. Donation – £75

Ash : Tall and graceful, known as the Venus of the woods’, ash trees can live to a grand old age of 400 years old. The airy canopy and early leaf fall allow sunlight to reach the woodland floor providing optimum conditions for wild flowers such as dog violet, wild garlic and dog’s mercury. Donation – E50

Beech : Monumental and majestic, Beech is an enchanting species and known as the queen of British trees. To wander beneath the leafy canopy, its cathedral-like branches spreading upwards, is an awe-inspiring experience. Because beech trees live for so long, they provide gnarled and knotted habitats for nesting birds and insects, fungi, mosses and lichen. Donation – £100

Goat Willow: also known as the pussy willow with spring flowering catkins that look like cat’s paws.

The catkins provide an important early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Willows support lots of wildlife including the elusive and regal purple emperor butterfly. Donation – £50

Silver Birch: The birch tree’s light open canopy provides the perfect conditions for bluebells, violets, grass and moss to thrive on the woodland floor. You may also find a nesting bird or two inside its trunk, Donation – £75

English Oak: The wise old oak tree. A symbol of strength and survival, it holds a special place in our culture history and hearts. This sacred species supports more life than any other native species in the UK. They are host to hundreds of insect species, supplying many birds with an important food source.

Donation : £120

Please visit Cooks Meadow and select an individual tree. All trees are numbered on their stakes with the name of the species. Trees that have already been taken have a white ribbon tied around the stake. Alternatively, select a tree from the attached plan.

Reserve you tree by contacting Nick Baker. Please contact: nickbaker@chewstoke.org.uk or Tel : 01275 333753. Payment will be taken when your tree has been reserved.

When you have dedicated a tree you will be permitted to place a dedication plaque (to be supplied by you alongside the tree. The plaque should measure no more than 15cm x 10cm preferably made of natural materials and in muted colours. The Parish Council do not take any responsibility for plaques. To maintain a natural and wildlife friendly environment, no other objects of dedication will be permitted. Please do not decorate the tree. Any decoration placed on, around or beneath the tree will be removed as it goes against the conservation aims of the meadow. Please do not plant anything around the tree, any seeds, bulbs planted without permission will be removed. Please do not remove anything from your tree. Ashes may be scattered, but not buried around your tree.

Donors will receive the benefit of the tree dedication for the life of the tree. The Parish Council reserves the right to remove the tree given reasonable circumstances (e.g. disease, safety risk). The Parish Council will endeavour to plant a replacement tree in the same location.

Location is highlighted with large red dot :