New tree memorial scheme launched at Rolleston

The Blue Cross is delighted to be able to plant two beautiful new areas of woodland at its equine centre in Rolleston. This is possible due to generous grants from the East Staffordshire Borough Council and the International Tree Foundation.

The trees will help to regenerate some of the open land and encourage wildlife but will also be used as memorial woodlands, where bereaved owners will be able to purchase a tree in loving memory of their horse or pet. As the trees grow they will also provide important shelter for the horses at the centre.

A £1,000 ‘green grant’ from the council was received alongside a further £500 from the International Tree Foundation, enabling the purchase of 1,000 native trees. On advice from council tree officer Peter Eastaugh, the trees will include species of Wild Cherry, Silver Birch, Hornbeam, Hazel, Rosa Rugosa and Dogwood. 

Earlier this year, The Blue Cross offered its support to the Coors Visitor Centre in Burton by providing temporary boarding facilities for its three popular Shire horses, when the Coors Visitor Centre and Museum of Brewing closed. As a mark of appreciation, twenty members of staff from the Coors Brewery volunteered their services to help plant trees at the centre.

Kath Urwin, Blue Cross centre manager at Rolleston said: “It's fantastic to have received two generous grants to create new woodlands, which will eventually provide excellent shelter for the horses in the adjacent paddocks. It will also be a wonderful opportunity for people to create peaceful memorials for their beloved animals and help horses in need at the same time.  Planting 1,000 trees is a big job and we are so grateful to all our volunteers for stepping in to help us out."