Sydney Gardens has launched a writing competition to promote its Tree Weekender which will run on Saturday 27th and Sunday, 28th November.

The Tree Weekender will celebrate the National Lottery Heritage funded restoration of the park and the dozens of trees and associated ecosystems within the park. There will be two days of online and on-the-ground activities and events including tree meditation, guided tree walks and family arts and crafts activities.

In the run-up to the event, residents are invited to get creative on the theme of ‘trees in parks and public gardens’ and write a poem or a story in less than 250 words to express their feelings, love or respect for the trees.

ReThinking Cities are challenging writers to tell them about the trees that grow near to where they live and what value they bring to the neighbourhood, or to write about how the trees came to be there, where they originated, how they are cared for and managed.

Councillor Jess David, Member Advocate for Biodiversity, said: “We know how special trees are and how important it is to have trees in parks and gardens close to where we live. The Tree Weekender will allow us to celebrate some of the wonderful trees in the park, some of which were planted shortly after the park opened in 1795.”

The competition is free to enter, but limited to two submissions per person. Entries should be emailed to: [email protected]

The competition closes on Monday, 1st November, or when the judges receive 125 submissions. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/sport-leisure-and-parks/parks-green-spaces/sydney-gardens/tree-weekender