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Your January 2025 Andover Trees United Newsletter
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ANDOVER TREES UNITED

JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year from all of us at Andover Trees United! 2024 was a year to remember. The cabin was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant, and ATU was awarded the Kings Award for voluntary service (KAVS), that celebrates outstanding work by local volunteer groups across the United Kingdom. We could not have achieved this without out volunteers!

To celebrate all our hard work, in December we hosted our End of Year party after our Volunteer Conservation Day, with mulled wine, minced pies and lots more deliciouos food. In the morning we planted a Beech tree in honour of Jane Goodall's 90th birthday (beech is her favourite tree).

Thank you to Sam Wilson for sending in the incredible photograph of a Buzzard featured above! 

Finally, GOOD news about our shareable Facebook Page. Renamed Andover Trees, if you are a Facebook user, you can now share our work easily with friends and family again.
We would LOVE to get our following back up, so please follow the page to show your support. Link here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568477497278

Read on to find out what's been going on and what's coming up:
From, 
The ATU Team 
Happy Trees, Happy Planet, Happy People
 
PLEASE CHOOSE US AS YOUR COOP GOOD CAUSE
ATU has been chosen as one of three charities for the Coop Good Cause. Coop Members have the oppurtunity to save money whilst they shop, as well as supporting ATU through this initiative. 

You can choose us by clicking this link: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/93679

If you don't already have a Coop Card (Blue one, not Southern Coop), please get yourself one and make savings for yourself whilst also raising funds for a good cause.
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS
Alex Marshall
"I first joined ATU as the ecology intern in 2019, and I’ve been involved ever since - despite the fact that I now live in the midlands! It’s the sense of community and friendship, along with the charities aims and values that make me want to continue to support ATU. Over the past 5 years, the team embraced my new ideas and eagerness to learn and enabled me to grow in confidence, skills and experience. I set up the Nature in Harmony project, did a butterfly research project, created and led a youth team including taking them on an expedition to Costa Rica! And also led some practical habitat creation workdays. I’m now giving as much as I can from afar as one of the charities trustees, and with a particular interest in supporting youth and nature. If you’re hoping to get into the environmental sector, why not get involved with ATU in a project leadership role like I did?"
~ Alex
 
LATEST NEWS
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION DAY
AND
END OF YEAR PARTY
Saturday the 14th December, we wrapped up the year with our Volunteer Community Conservation Day and End-of-Year Celebration, a day filled with teamwork, joy, and purpose.

The highlight of the day was planting a beautiful beech tree in honor of our charity partner, the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall, to celebrate her upcoming 90th birthday. As beech trees are her favorite, this was a fitting tribute to her lifelong commitment to conservation. We were delighted to welcome Jasmina Georgovska, Director of Outreach for Roots & Shoots UK, who joined us on Dr. Goodall’s behalf to mark the occasion.

The team also worked hard to complete the second row of the Dragon Garden Hedge, adding a vibrant layer of greenery to this cherished community space. Creativity took center stage as we made stunning tree dressings, adding a festive touch to our conservation efforts.

Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2

If you would like to get involved in our Volunteer Conservation Days please email abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk
DECEMBER ROUNDUP
This section includes a roundup of our regular ongoing activities, plus other news as and when. Keep an eye on our website and socials for the latest goings-on.
SCHOOL TREE NURSERY BEDS

It was wonderful to see the children arrive at Bury Hill with trees they had observed and nurtured throughout the last year. This year, we are delighted to have Abbots Ann, Appleshaw, Clatford CofE, Kimpton, Knight Enham Juniors, St John the Baptist, and Portway Juniors all involved in caring for trees. The children have planted their trees in nursery beds and will observe them throughout the year, noting the changes that occur over the seasons.

Thank you so much everyone, and if any other schools would like to develop their nurseries please do message me on joanna.oliver-hawkins@andovertrees.org.uk

Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2024/12/24/school-nursery-beds-2025

NATURE NURTURE PROJECT

The Nature Nurture Project is a project designed to help local children and young people to connect with nature. It is funded by the HIWCF Flourishing Communities grant, and will allow groups of young people to design their own project at Harmony Woods.

We also wish to thank TNL https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/ for generous funding that allows us to employ supporting staff.

Read a monthly roundup of the sessions here: www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2023/10/nature-nurture-2023-24

FOREST SCHOOL'S CLUB
After two storms prevented us from meeting outside in November, it was lovely for those who were able to join us to meet for a final Christmas get-together. 

The young people, with the help of a willing parent and wonderful volunteers, learned the skills of hammering and nail artβ€”with the addition of silver paint and bio glitterβ€”it is Christmas, after all!

The session ended with an excellent fireβ€”with Issy showing brilliant perseverance in the rain! Marshmallows, bread, and even clementines were toasted on the fire and washed down with hot chocolateβ€”perfect!

Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2024/10/9/forest-school-club
If you would like to join us next year, the first Forest School Club will be on Saturday, March 15th.

Please contact joanna.oliver-hawkins@andovertrees.org.uk for more information.

FOREST SCHOOLS - HOME SCHOOL

This term has brought the start of our new Forest School, specifically our Home School group. This wonderful group meets every Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm and enjoys 3 hours of exploring, natural crafts, child-led play, and a hot meal over the fire pit. In the last month or so, we have erected a new shelter to protect us from the Winter weather. These young people and their families not only enjoy their time in the woods together but have also really developed a strong bond and now enjoy plenty of time in the woods and at the park after the sessions!

Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2024/12/24/home-schooling-forest-school

 

LADIES PROHIBITION ERA BALL
On the 7th December the wonderful ladies of Andover Ladies circle hosted a Ladies Prohibition Era ball, to raise money for ATU. The event was a huge success, raising Β£1815.34!

A huge thank you to Andover Ladies Circle for all their help this year!

 
WREATH MAKING WITH THE LOYDS BANKING GROUP
Volunteers from Andover Trees United (ATU) spread festive cheer this afternoon (3rd December 2024) by hosting a hands-on Christmas wreath-making workshop for employees of Lloyds Banking Group. Held at Keens House in Andover, the event featured two creative sessions, with up to 10 participants in each, resulting in stunning handmade wreaths ready to adorn doors for the holiday season.

Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/news-list/wreath-workshop-lloyds
UPCOMING EVENTS
Go to Events Calendar
Plant for the Planet! - with local schools
Forest School Home School - returning in February

Weekly Conservation Days
Every Monday, 10:00 - 1:00
Harmony Woods or Allotment 


Monthly Community Conservation Days:
Sat 11th Jan - Tree Planting - Harmony Woods
Sat 8th Feb - Tree Planting - Harmony Woods

Email abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk for more information.

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION DAY

We are excited to invite you to this Saturday’s Community Conservation Day at Harmony Woods, happening from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

This time, we’ll be kicking off the important task of "beating up"β€”replacing trees that didn’t take root successfully last year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn how to plant trees and care for them, whether you’re new to tree planting or looking to sharpen your skills.

We’d love to know if you can make it, it helps us with refreshment quantities! Please contact abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk

NATURE SPOT
Our Ecology Intern creates the 'Nature Spot' social media posts to highlight different species that have been seen in the Diamond Woods. The most recent is shown here (click on the image to see it in more detail), and you can see previous ones on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. And if you don't have a social media account, you can still see them on Instagram! Just go to www.instagram.com/andover_trees/
PLEASE SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Thank you to everyone who follows us on social media.
Please don't forget to share our posts and stories with friends & other groups on Facebook!
Invite your family and friends to join our Facebook group and follow us on Insta! 
If you don't already follow us, click on the links below!

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/474444485941078/

Facebook Page
NEW Page! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568477497278

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/andover_trees?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
WE NEED YOU!
VOLUNTEER WITH ATU
Volunteering with us is a great way to contribute to action against climate change and biodiversity loss, and to make a difference in the local community and we welcome volunteers with many different skills, including:
  • General conservation
  • IT / tech 
  • Event organisation and support
  • Running creative sessions
  • Plant propagation
  • Leafleting
  • DIY and construction  
  • Legal advice
  • Fundraising
  • ... and more! If you have the time, we can use it :-)
We are very happy to arrange volunteering days for corporate groups, particularly during our Schools' Planting Weeks in November / December.

Please get in touch if you can help by emailing abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk. Any specific opportunities will be listed on our Ways To Help webpage as well as in this newsletter.
 
THANKS FOR READING!
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www.andovertrees.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1167574
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Andover Trees United
Westcott
Old Salisbury Road
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