PRESS PACK : LONELY TREE BOOK LAUNCH

• RELEASE
• BOOK LAYOUT SAMPLES
• IMAGES FROM THE BOOK
• BOOK SNIPPETS
• BOOK DETAILS
• POSTS ON THIS SITE
• PRESS COVERAGE LINKS

PRESS NOTICE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ———————————————————————————————–

Also available as a Word doc: Lonely tree press release 01-04-14.

Welsh town celebrates fallen ‘Lonely Tree’ in style with hilltop book launch

Following the media storm and far-flung support for Llanfyllin’s historic Lonely Tree – blown over in February’s storms – it is now being celebrated with a book being launched at the top of the hill – where else!

During the great storm in February, the small Welsh town of Llanfyllin in mid Wales lost its Lonely Tree which had stood high above the town for hundreds of years. It was where marriages had been proposed and ashes scattered and it had become the much-loved emblem of the town. Hugging the tree could bring good fortune. The local community was devastated by the loss and made desperate efforts to save its Lonely Tree. The reaction of the town caused another storm – a media storm.

A very famous tree

• The tree made headlines and was featured not only in the local press but also on BBC 1, BBC Wales, BBC 5 Live, The Guardian/Observer and as far away as Norway.
• Contributions to the Lonely Tree Fund have come from around the world, including Singapore
• The tree has been nominated for European Tree of the Year 2015.

Hilltop book launch: April 18^th

• A brilliantly-designed book about Lonely Tree has now been produced which is full of stunning photographs and moving stories.
• The book will be launched on top of Greenhall Hill by the Lonely Tree at 3pm on Good Friday April 18^th 2014. It was once a local tradition that on Good Friday the people of the town would make the steep walk up to the Lonely Tree and picnic together and this book launch will re-create that tradition.
• Those arriving at the Lonely Tree will enjoy a slice of Lonely Tree Cake, will be given a ribbon to tie to the fallen tree and asked to make a wish.
• Mayor of Llanfyllin Ann Williams and Montgomeryshire County Chairman Peter Lewis will speak about the importance of the tree and what has been done to save it.
• The views from Greenhall Hill are tremendous and the sight of local people surrounding their fallen tree – brightly decorated with ribbons – should be a moving picture and provide a great photo opportunity.

Facts and Figures

• In the British Tree Register [amended] the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree hunt website the Lonely Tree is listed as ‘Tree 133160. Scots Pine. Veteran Tree.’
• Lonely Tree was first marked on Ordnance Survey map of Llanfyllin after survey made 1872-1885.
• Lonely Tree was being written about as early as 1896, when it was described as ‘ancient…friendly…patient…brave…loyal’
• 6 loads of local soil (60 tons in total) have been brought up the 250m hill and packed around the remaining roots.
• The hope is that a new tree will ‘phoenix’ from the trunk of the old tree.

Parking Approaching Llanfyllin from the east (Oswestry/Welshpool), park in the Workhouse car park below the Lonely Tree which is on Greenhall Hill to the north. Walk back along the road for about 300 yards, then turn first left downhill, past a cottage and cross the river by a small bridge. Turn left along a single track road. After about 200 yards, a sign on your right will point your way up to the Lonely Tree. Contact Pauline Page-Jones 01691 648 227/ 07989 766 220 or lonelytree@llanfyllin.org We hope to see you at the Lonely Tree at 3pm on Good Friday April 18^th 2014! VIEW ON MAP

BOOK LAYOUT SAMPLES ———————————————————————————————–

Images link to Press-ready PDFs Lonely Tree book 13 p27 Lonely Tree book 13 p29 Lonely Tree book 13 p37

IMAGES FROM THE BOOK ———————————————————————————————–

Photos link to larger versions.

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BOOK SNIPPETS ———————————————————————————————–

The book is a collection of memories, stories and photos about the Lonely Tree stretching back nearly ninety years, that have been provided by members of the public – both local and from around the globe. Here are a couple of entries from the book:

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Waiting…

My young cousin came to stay with us from Kent. Two weeks earlier she had said goodbye to her boyfriend as he left for a six month tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.

She was still waiting to hear from him, knowing it was difficult for him to contact her. During her visit she was on edge because she had no phone signal.

We wanted to show her the Lonely Tree as it is such a beautiful spot. Within moments of reaching the top, her phone rang. She had finally got a signal, just at the very same moment that her boyfriend had his first chance to call. We watched her sitting chatting to him under the Lonely Tree and took a beautiful photograph of her. She was so lost and sad without him.

Thankfully my cousin’s boyfriend returned safely and on their next visit to us we were able to take both of them back to the Lonely Tree.

This time we were able to take a photograph of them together and happy again.

The Lonely Tree has always been a special place for us and our family. We always like to take our guests there as it is such a stunning spot. We hope the tree can be rescued now in its hour of need.

Sarah Kendrick-Jones, Llanfechain

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Dreams

My Grandfather farmed below the lonely tree, I climbed the hill to sit by the tree or walked the railway line so I could look up at it whilst daydreaming as a child, about my life as a romantic  shepherdess with my trusty sheepdog Luther. That was of course never to be but the Lonely Tree kept my dreams alive.

Often I revisit my childhood and climb the hill with my own children hoping they too will hold dreams in their hearts. They have run under its branches as toddlers, searched for fossils as children, they have lazed in the sun or marauded on their hill boards as I sat contemplating my most treasured view of the hills beyond. Maybe my grandchildren will be lucky and will dream by the Lonely Tree one day too.

Kate Hidden, Oswestry 

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First & Last

Not so lonely when it’s just you and me, always listens never repeats.

Loved waking up every morning and seeing the tree, first thing I looked at and the last thing I looked at too.

Catrin Williams

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3am

I am 40 now, wow, how did that happen? I have lived in Llanfyllin for just over 30 years – uni, trailing round after jobs and boyfriends aside…the Lonely Tree for me represents a freedom of fresh air, peacefulness and, on a clear day, a view to cry for. I have spent picnic days there, walking with family days there, romantic – ahem… afternoons there, dog-walking days, camping, watching sunsets, drunken mad walks – “hey, I’ve got an idea..!!” (at 3 in the morning), showing off the place to visitors, getting up mad early to watch the sunrise…

My four year old now asks “Where’s my tree?”

Emma Allen, Llanfyllin

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BOOK DETAILS ———————————————————————————————–

Back cover copy : This book has been compiled by Pauline Page-Jones, Richard Kretchmer and David Goodman, members of Llanfyllin Civic Society, to celebrate the Lonely Tree and its influence on Llanfyllin. Book design and cover illustration by David Goodman. Translation by Robin Hughes. Typset in Quicksand Book • Printed by Y Lolfa Press • Typset in Quicksand Book •  Published in April 2014 ISBN : 978-1-84771-953-9 Technical : 48pp + cover, full colour, landscape 230mm x 175mm (9″ x 7″), 13595 words, 51 images. Availability : Will be available at the launch and from local shops and through the website after the launch.

LONELY TREE POSTS ON THIS SITE ———————————————————————————————–

March 14th, 2014 LONELY TREE ON BBC TV – IF YOU MISSED IT March 12th, 2014 LONELY TREE PRESS COVERAGE February 24th, 2014 LONELY TREE BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT – SUBMISSIONS NEEDED! February 20th, 2014 DONATE TO LLANFYLLIN’S FALLEN LONELY TREE APPEAL February 20th, 2014 HOPE YET FOR LONELY TREE February 15th, 2014 LONELY TREE LOST IN STORM

PRESS COVERAGE ———————————————————————————————–

The Tanat Chronicle Yr Ysgub Treehunter.co.uk County Times Shropshire Star Guardian and Observer article by John Vidal BBC News Wales BBC News Twitter mentions Interview on BBC Radio 5′s Live Drive – skip to near the end for the talk with Pauline Page-Jones. Peter Lewis and Lonely Tree specialist advisor – Tree Hunter Rob McBride gave a TV interview for BBC Breakfast from Greenhall Hill and you can now watch the report here…

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