The Rothbury Tree Trail is 'so inspiring and joyful!'

It was such a lovely surprise to check in on the Rothbury, Northumberland Facebook Page today. As well as the newsy posts, the funnies, the queries, and the discussions, was a review of the Rothbury Tree Trail by the gifted photographer, Susan Barwood.

She begins by saying 'I have been meaning to do the Rothbury Tree Trail since the App was first created by Katie Scott, and an amazing team of musicians and readers'.

What first drew my eye to her FB post was the glorious light in the photographs. Susan Barwood is an extraordinarily talented, and experienced, photographer who works in the North East of England. I had admired her landscapes many times. But these were a group of photos of Rothbury Trees - and even better - they are all of trees which feature on the Tree Trail!

ALL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS BLOG ARE BY SUSAN.
Susan Barwood Photography

It is remarkably difficult to get a good photograph of this tree because of its position. I think this might be the best one I have ever seen. The Craa Tree speaks with the voice of Hazel Mason - and the Ghost Tree's voice is James Tait, with his authentic Northumbrian dialect. James Tait

Air Vice Marshal Alexander Freeland Cairns "Sandy" Hunter CBE, AFC, DL.
Sandy Hunter very generously agreed to be the voice of this special tree - and I can think of no more apt person. The tree's tale is one of bravery.

Music by the Rothbury Highland Pipe Band adds to the atmosphere of the stories.

Roderick Parry Clements, Lindisfarne's Rod Clements.

The Beech Tree, the Queen of the Trees, at the foot of this hill, at the bottom, is voiced by Sheila Gregory.

Rod Clements kindly wrote the music, especially for this Trail.

Hannah Lamb's haunting singing, is so very poignant, especially now that the Weeping Ash are no more. https://www.hannahlambmusic.com

The stories of these trees are beautifully told by Patsy and Billy Murray.
You can read about what happened here

An earlier article, before they were felled, is here

Jon Tait, a talented Northumbrian Writer, very kindly spoke the words of this veteran Sycamore Tree. The perfect choice, as Jon has written extensively about Rothbury Football Club. This tree tells you some of this history, as well as that of Cragside. It is also worth listening to the complete song which accompanies this tree on the app. It is written and performed by John Homer, who wrote the prize-winning song, A Simple Man, about Lord Armstrong purchasing the land to build his fine home.

Have you done the Trail yet? It will take you about 45-60 minutes. At the end of her Review of it, Susan says: "Give it a go! You will love it". I hope you do.

Many thanks to Susan for allowing the use of her wonderful photographs in this blog. Susan Barwood Photography