News Letter – Part 2

Autumn 2003

SUMMER EVENTS

Our first event of the season was a madcap production by the Oddsocks Theatre Company with their version of Romeo and Juliet on Sunday 29^th June. This was a new venture for us and we have been asked to stage one of their productions in 2004.

The York Railway Institute Band Concert followed this event on 5^th July. The Concert was preceded by what must have been the only very wet week during the summer and accordingly the audience was disappointing. However, the band is popular and we will repeat the concert in 2004.

A new project for us this year was the introduction of Tours with the Arborist, which ran every Wednesday in June and September. An opportunity to walk and talk with the Arborist and learn of all the fascinating detail of the Arboretum’s flora and fauna. The tours were very popular and will be repeated next year.

Quiz. One of our members, Miss Jenny Roberts, is giving her time this winter to organise a quiz, proceeds of which will be donated to the Arboretum.

GRADED MEMBERSHIP SCHEME

As Membership is now increasing significantly and to meet popular demand we have created a unified Members/Sponsors Scheme.

Members Opening              1^st February to 30^th November 2004 – every day

Members Benefits:

·         New in 2004 - Late opening until 8.00 p.m. on Wednesdays during June, July and August 2004

·         New in 2004 - 4 tickets per member to visit Ray Wood, the grounds & gardens of Castle Howard

·         Admission to the Arboretum every day from 1^st February to 30^th November

·         Longer opening hours per day 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

·         Discounted tickets for Arboretum Events

·         Access to Bedgebury Pinetum

·         Access to Westonbirt Arboretum

·         Access to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

·         Annual Newsletter

Member Adult £17.00 per year        Child £ 10.00 per year

Premier Member £50.00 per year

·         All benefits plus

·         4 tickets per member to enable you to bring your friends to visit the Arboretum

Sponsoring Member           £300.00 per year

·         All benefits plus

·         Sponsorship of a selected tree with commemorating/sponsorship plaque

·         Invitation to our Patron’s Day

Benefactor Member Donations of £750+ per year

·         All benefits plus

·         Recognition of donations by sponsorship of a tree

·         Invitation to our annual Patron’s Day

·        Facility to book the Arboretum as an evening venue for your private event.

NEW ENTRANCE BUILDING

With the increase in visitor numbers and frequent demands to accommodate school and student parties, Trustees decided to launch an appeal to try to raise funds for a new visitor and education centre. Mr Peter Marshall (a one time Trustee of Kew, who now directs The Sir George Martin Trust and The UK Charitable Trusts Initiative, whose Trust is a benefactor of the Arboretum), kindly offered to take on the task of honorary fundraiser. The appeal was launched in March and to date we have raised almost one fifth of our target. It is our intention to apply to DEFRA for matching funding.

Originally we intended to expand by the use of low cost prefabricated buildings on our present site, but Ryedale’s planning department thought otherwise, and to cut a long story short we are now planning a new entrance off the south side of Obelisk drive (due for improvement in 2004). The Estate has agreed to transfer over to CHAT the area now down to a crop of Christmas trees, and this will become our car park with the building set just within the Arboretum, a site that gives it lovely vistas to Bracken Hill, the Silver Walk and the Tercentenary Wood. To save on costs we will be using much self-help and an oak-framed structure that can be built in phases as the money is raised.

MEMBERS INFORMATION

1.    You may visit the Arboretum on any day between 1st Feb and 30^th Nov 2004.

Gates open at 8.00 am on weekdays and 10am at weekends and bank holidays.

Last admissions 4.00 p.m. Gates to car park locked at 6.00pm except Mondays at 4.00 p.m.

In 2004 the Arboretum will be open for Members until 8.00 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July and August.

Please ensure that you leave the car park before the time stated for ‘gates locked’.

2.    The Arboretum opens to the general public from 1 March to 29 October open every day except Mondays

3.    When parked in the Arboretum Car Park, please display your Arboretum Car Pass.

4.    Do not enter the Arboretum if the car park gates are closed.

5.    Dogs are welcome, but must be kept under control. Some visitors have complained about uncontrolled dogs. Dogs which are allowed to run loose are detrimental to ground nesting birds. The ground nesting bird population within the Arboretum has significantly decreased during 2002 and 2003.

6.    Ball games and frisbee games with dogs are strictly prohibited.

GOOD NEWS

Owing to the success in meeting the challenges of progressing and developing the Arboretum during the last five years, The Prince of Wales has agreed to continue his patronage for a further five years.

Trees play a hugely important part in our existence.

They give us biodegradable material for every sort of construction, fuel, food, shelter from the elements and habitats for wildlife.

They give shape and substance to rural landscapes and soften the hard edges of our towns and cities.

Trees also lift our spirits.

Words by our Patron from the foreword to The Glorious Trees of Britain.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Two thirds of the world’s original forests have been destroyed – please support our conservation work in collecting and nurturing rare and endangered trees. Please renew your membership.