Film star's Hullywood dreams
The charity behind the creation of 20 new woods in Hull has sought Judi Dench’s help in launching an arts and photography competition to encourage people to rediscover the city’s green spaces.
Organisers, the Woodland Trust, would like people of all ages to send in their best photos, paintings, collages or sketches of their ‘green hull’, whether that be a local park, tree-lined avenue, wood, river or even back garden.
As well as prizes for the winners and the possibility of featuring in a special calendar, all entrants’ work will be exhibited in the Ferens Art Gallery's Live Art Space in September. A member of the judging panel will be TV broadcaster and wildlife photographer Chris Packham, best known for presenting the BBC’s Really Wild Show.
The exhibition is another way for people to get involved in the charity’s tree-planting programme in the city, which will see Hull lose its title of ‘least wooded city in the UK’. The Trust is currently working with local communities throughout Hull to plant woodland and wildflower grasslands across the city - 12 sites, including 2 hectares of east Hull’s Stonebridge Playing Field, have been planted so far.
Dame Judi, an honorary graduate of Hull University and supporter of the Woodland Trust, said: “Our Green Hull art exhibition is a wonderful way of re-discovering Hull’s hidden green spaces. I would encourage everyone to take a fresh look at the city to find and record these special places that act as a sanctuary for wildlife and people amongst the bustle of city life.”
The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers and artists, and split into four categories: under 7s, 7-11, 12-16 and 17 plus. The closing date for entries is July 10th and winners will be notified by September 1st. Entry forms and further details can be found online at /Hull/
Organiser Mark Feather of the Woodland Trust hopes people will send in some great images of their city. “Cities would be barren and impoverished places without their greenery and I hope the exhibition will be a great way to celebrate Hull’s green environment and acknowledge its value. It would be great to see your artwork or photographs which show your favourite green area in Hull or its wildlife, whether that be a single butterfly or whole woodland.”
The Woodland Trust’s Forest of Flowers project in Hull will see 56,000 trees planted throughout the city – that’s one for every child in Hull. The project has been funded by the Big Lottery, Woodland Trust, Onaway Trust and Forestry Commission.
