Stalking the East End Mulberries

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/06/2017
6:15 pm - 8:15 pm

Location
Stepney Green tube station


In celebration of trees and woodland, we are supporting London Tree Week (27 May – 4 June 2017), with the help of the Mayor of London.

Black mulberry in Victoria Park Photo P Coles

Stalking the East End mulberries 6.15pm-8.15pm Thursday 1 June Start: Stepney Green tube station Finish: Victoria Park

Spitalfields and Bethnal Green have long associations with Huguenot silk weavers who settled here in he late 17th century. Although these weavers did not produce their own silk, black mulberry trees are still dotted around the area, reminders of the French countryside they had fled under religious persecution.

This walk reveals a couple of mulberry trees in a hidden cul-de-sac in Mile End, others in Meath Gardens (which has magnificent Black Poplars), the gardens of St Margaret’s House, the site of Bishop Bonner’s 16th century Palace (latterly the London Chest Hospital and now under development) and finally in Victoria Park, next to the Regent’s Canal.

The walkshop is led by Peter Coles – urban nature writer and photographer, and champion of London’s mulberries. He has been co-creating intriguing Stalking Trees walkshops for the Museum of Walking, in which participants get to know a thing or two about trees and how to photograph them.  Peter is working with the Conservation Foundation to conserve and build awareness of London’s mulberry heritage. Dip into the mulberry’s intriguing history.

This is a free event. Suitable for 16+. Children must be accompanied

Numbers are limited, so booking is essential.  This free walkshop has been made possible through the support of the Mayor of London.  https://ltw17_mulberries_of_east_end.eventbrite.co.uk

We at the Museum of Walking are not “tree huggers” but we do love trees, for we feel that they contribute more to our urban neighbourhoods than they detract.  Urban trees are a hardy bunch, able to absorb not only natural hazards, but also man-made pollutants, restoring the quality of air we breathe, and providing habitat for many species of wildlife.  Many trees have witnessed significant changes to their surroundings, so as our cities expand, some trees are threatened by development, others are planted to create new vistas, shade and shelter.

Want to find out more about our Stalking Trees walkshops?  Look here

Check other walkshops we are producing for London Tree Week.

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