The following article appeared in the Bach Practitioners' e-bulletin, Spring 2009.
SPREAD SOME LOVE...PLANT A TREE
On St. Valentines Day this year, a group of about 30 Transition Town enthusiasts organised a community event planting trees on a piece of neglected land by the cemetery in the small town of West Kirby on the Wirral.
The idea was to create, not only a wooded environment for everyone to enjoy, but to plant trees of a practical value to the community as well. So around 30 fruit and nut trees were planted that day, including apples, pears, plums, walnut and cob nuts.
As part of the team, I wanted to give the trees the best possible start, by watering them in with the Bach Flower Remedies!
We used star of Bethlehem for transplant shock, walnut to help them adjust them to their new environment, and oak for strength.
We also gave the trees names, to personalise our relationship with them, so the two walnut trees were christened Michael and Angelo! The plan is to return each Valentines day to check on their growth....and remind ourselves of our own.
The fruit from these trees, when it comes, is freely available to the whole community, and in an age where fresh food prices are on the rise, hopefully this will give pleasure and sustenance to many.
The event was funded locally by a small grant from Your Wirral, and was great fun.
Transition Towns are springing up everywhere in response to the need for a low carbon economy. The Bach Flower Remedies are truly well placed to help as the local community medicine of the future.
Happy planting!!
Kate Anderson