Arboretum dream will live on, pledges family

David Binnian, aged 80, founded the award-winning Bodenham Arboretum at Wolverley, near Kidderminster, 40 years ago.

And his grieving family has vowed that, together with their team of farm, forestry and visitor staff, the attraction will 'flourish and provide lasting pleasure for generations to come'.

As a young man David fostered his love of trees and the environment by studying forestry and land management at Cirencester Royal Agricultural College.

He enjoyed a long and successful career as a chartered surveyor and land agent in Kidderminster, only retiring when he was 73-years-old.

David, who died on May 9 after a short illness, planted trees wherever he lived and in 1973, with his wife, Jennifer, bought Bodenham, then a derelict farm nestling in the hills above Wolverley.

As a hobby, he set about damming the streams and tributary valleys to make two chains of lakes and pools, and over the years he enriched the property by planting trees and shrubs from around the world and these now number some 3,000 species.

David also worked hard at promoting a love and understanding of the countryside and the environment, and throughout his life had been on a total of 16 committees.

Bodenham was initially part of the National Gardens Scheme for 25 years and has won several major national awards of which he and his family, were immensely proud. As increasing numbers of people arrived to enjoy Bodenham, the visitor centre was created, an award winning environmentally sensitive building carved out of the hillside and overlooking the lake.

Married to Jennifer for 55 years, the couple had three children, James, Rosanna and Ryland, who died of leukaemia aged 27.

David's family said in a statement: "Until his death, Bodenham had remained the only arboretum and new English landscape with National Heritage status with its creator still living. He has left a wonderful and lasting legacy."

A thanksgiving service is to be held at 2pm on June 3 at Wolverley Church.