Celebration of Life Tree at Hotham Park

The Aldingbourne Trust is delighted to be part of a new project in partnership with Arun District Council.  A silver birch tree in the historic Hotham Park Bognor Regis has been transformed into a ‘Celebration of Life Tree Seat’, which will feature messages from the public on engraved leaf plaques.

Customers will have the choice of either a serrated chestnut, or a
round-edged oak plaque in either silver or gold laminated material.  They can then dedicate a message to a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by choosing words to have inscribed.  The plaques will be dedicated for a ten-year period, with the option to re-adopt for a further five years.

Peter Stanley, General Manager of the Trust, said: "With the success of the Long Bench scheme in Littlehampton, we are very excited to be involved in this project. We are looking forward to working with the local community to create fantastic messages on the leaf plaques of this unique tree bench."

The Aldingbourne Trust will deal with the application process for purchasing, engraving and installing the plaques.  This will then be managed through the wood department at the Aldingbourne Country Centre and people with learning disabilities and/or autism, who are supported by the Trust, are actively involved in fitting the plaques and maintaining the bench.

Councillor Dan Purchese, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “We are delighted to be launching this imaginative scheme, which allows people to create a unique memory by leaving a personal message inscribed onto a leaf-shaped plaque.  The dedication will provide a long-lasting tribute that can be visited over time.”

Please visit www.aldingbournetrust.org/celebration-of-life-tree or call 01243 542075 to find out more information on how you can purchase a slat on the new bench.