Tree brings hope to Bumble Hole Nature Reserve
Community spirits have been raised by the creation of a tree of hope in a beauty spot.
The tree at Bumble Hole Nature Reserve in Netherton has been created out of recycled materials at the site, including a large piece of metal dredged out of the canal.
On the end of the branches of the tree are discs, cut from small logs and decorated with a range of messages from people to their loved ones during lockdown and of messages of hope.
The tree was designed and created by volunteer conservationist Brenda Myers, who said she thought it wouldn't last a week, but was surprised to see it still standing more than a month on.
She said: "I just thought it would be really nice if, at this time, we got something for the regular visitors at Bumble Hole Nature Reserve to go and visit.
"I wanted to do something they could look at which was a bit inspirational so, I thought, I'll make a tree."
Brenda said the messages were sent to her by the public, with a contact number being visible at the top of the tree, and she then created the discs for the tree.
She been at the reserve for two years, having given up her role as a full time teacher to become a volunteer at the reserve, then became a conservationist after joining the board.
Since the tree was set up in April, 60-year-old Brenda said she had run out of space, so was now starting to add the discs to a dead tree behind the display.
She said she couldn't believe how much it had taken off in the time it had been up.
She said: "I just don't really know what to say as it's gone berserk and people love it, so it's just something else that's just another feather in the cap.
"I love to go and see the kids looking at it and pointing to all the discs and finding their own disc, so it's nice to give people something to take comfort from."
