A guest blog from Katie Rees, Director of Kindlewoods CIC, who has organised eight acorn collection events for us this month.
What an amazing month it has been so far. We have collected acorns from ancient trees across North Yorkshire; in early morning mist amongst 1000 year old oaks at Ripley Castle, warm October sunshine at Newby Hall, in the rain at Fountains Abbey, in the semi-dark at Hookstone and with a whole host of different groups, all becoming instantly interested in acorns.
The Harrogate Beavers zipped round the woods, excitedly discovering ‘acorn-topia’ (a particularly laden tree). Our own volunteers discovered acorn-fever and several became squirrels (taking some home with them to grow on). We’ve had volunteers from Belzona, Neom, Hasag, The National Trust, Forest Church, Longlands Common, Zero Carbon Harrogate, and we’ve had some people join us having just walked past us on their dog walk!
We’ve spent a morning live on air with BBC Radio York and talked about acorns on BBC Radio 5 Live.
During this project we’ve worked with over 100 people, collected 290kgs acorns and run 8 acorn collecting events! A huge thanks to all the different partners and landowners who have supported us with the project, including the White Rose Forest, Harrogate Borough Council, The Woodland Trust, The National Trust, Sir Thomas Ingleby of Ripley Castle, Ian Fraser of Longlands Common, Leeds Arium, Belzona and all the volunteers who have supported us to collect. We are looking forward to seeing the saplings as they grow at the Arium in Leeds, and will keep you updated.
Katie
