The Oak Tree Project



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This is the story of the oldest tree on the Glastonbury Festival site, in the back corner of the Green Kids field, within the Greenfields. It is over 500 years old, and we in Green Kids Area have always felt incredibly proud to be its “guardians” during festivals times.

Like all good ideas the Oak Tree Project started as a little acorn – we planted the seed, it is being nurtured and cared for, and evolving into a story. As the thoughts grew we asked Michael if we could put it on the website, and he agreed. Our hope is that, like the tree, and like the Festival, the Oak Tree project grows and grows for many years to come. We would like for everyone who has memories, associations, funny stories, photos, or any other comings and goings with the Oak Tree, to send them into us and we will add them to the collection here, as a permanent reminder of the beauty of time and wood.

We welcome any contributions to any part of this story.
Please email them to oaktreeproject@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Glastonbury 2022

We were all so happy to be back at the Festival, and met so many lovely folk under the ancient Oak! Great to share with everyone who drew, dreamed, wrote poems or rested in the shade of the beautiful branches.

Thanks to the Festival Free Press paper for mentioning that we had some little oak trees and thanks to those who gave them homes, and who have sent in photos of them planted up and thriving. Let’s keep in touch 💚

Glastonbury weekend 2021

A lovely Saturday summer’s evening and the little oaks are potted up; Sunday morning and it’s raining (again) – both make me think fondly of the Festival. The friends and crew I miss, the sounds and smells – who can truly explain the experience of the Festival??!! Hopefully next year we’ll be back in the Green Kids field and these little oaks will go off to new homes to be planted out and grow into mighty oaks.

If you have one of the oaks from us please do write in, send a pic and tell us any fond memory of the Green Kids field magnificent Oak? oaktreeproject@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

*** Merry Midsummer ***

 

 

November 2020:

Grow an oak tree from an acorn : it’s tree seed collecting time!! Celebrate trees and support wildlife.

June 2020:

Jos Colover

Jos was the founder of the Green Kids field and the Oak Tree Project (amongst a myriad of other achievements) and until recently she organised and oversaw every year with: a flourish of creative faery dust, the constant focus of a parent and the fiery perseverance of a dragon. Although she died this year, she will live on, in every marquee and with every colourful workshop in our field.

Jos was a visionary in building a festival family and our campsite is the envy of many that work on the site because she has created a creative nurturing atmosphere, full of compassion and fun.

She started her children’s events at Glastonbury over 20 years ago, with just a couple of tables and a small patch of land on the main path (below Greenpeace) and over the decades developed and built what everybody recognises as the Green Kids field.

She was a kind, determined, wise and strategic organiser of talented people and grandly themed events. An impresario of health and safety strategies, inclusive practices and access for all; which led to her providing disability provision to a host of other festivals in the U.K (Lovebox, Strummer etc).

Nobody dared to summon the wrath of Jos. She juggled many responsibilities and she had no time for questions that contradicted what she knew to be the safest way to ensure a happy family field.

Over the last decade, our tremendous friend was thrown many health challenges, which she repeatedly battled and overcame like a true warrior queen. When she had recovered from one such harrowing setback, she was delighted to see that Michael Eavis had rebuilt the legendary pirate ship ‘Cadmus”, which they ceremoniously launched together with a bottle of champagne.

A truly inspiring woman, who achieved so much in her life, by constantly sharing her generous self, for the betterment of others, for the greater good. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Let the Green Kids field be a lasting part of her incredible legacy.

The Jos Tree

She-oak stretches her roots
and bends her boughs
as a calm breeze cools her wide-skirted leaves.
Tawny owls gaze down from our ancient oak,
looking out for their friends.
bright bunting butterflies flutter
by a lounging library of fiction pixies.
Marquees stand tall, protected by animals on painted poles,
full of impossible adventures.
A dragon tea party has turned into a baby disco.
Hammers hitting nails are banging out a joyous song.
Laurel and Hardy slap their sticks
to the bubbling beat.
the socks are out and dancing, instead of wrestling,
Donkey does D.J with Scare.D.Wolf.
Whilst the elephant was spotted smoking,
it was caught on Camera Obscura
and witnessed by a toilet faery.
The cautious Magpie sings out her name
and all the fluffy pirates sang back.
And all the families smile, taking memory morsels away
that they will always cherish.
We hear your voice,
we can see you sit on your bench,
watching over us with your protective eyes.
We hold you close,
celebrating our good fortune,
for finding such a magical treasure.
Seems selfish to miss you,
but we do,
lucky old ancestors.
love you x

June 2017:

We have been lucky enough to set up our children’s Book Lounge in Green Kids for a number of years, and my daughters and I – as well as the many people who have helped over the years – love the Big Oak Tree.

In 2016, Jos gave me a seedling she had grown from this venerable oak to take home to Wales. I have been looking after it in memory of Sylvie, my baby grandchild, who was born and died in May 2016.

The baby oak is growing and flourishing, while Sylvie’s mother Ellie, who has often rested under the big oak, now has a new baby, Rory.

We’ll always remember Sylvie, whose name recalls woods, and hope that in a while the young oak will be planted in the churchyard near her grave.

Ann

20170617_164812April 2017:

The Gypsy King

My name is Magpie Dragonteller and I have been telling stories and elfing around the Great Oak for over 16 years. How lucky am I! About 10 years ago something lovely happened to me whilst I sat under the tree on a sunny festival day.

Here is my tale, and yet not my tale. Here is a possible sample of ancient folklore, as I heard it told to me. I hope you enjoy it.

Crick Crack, story out of my sack……………….

I was reading a story that I hoped to tell to families later in the day, when a traveller man all tanned and smiley came and sat beside me. He asked me what I was doing and I told him.

“You’re a storyteller, how fantastic. We have so many old tales of the gypsies that are being lost, dying out. Shall I tell you one?“ I felt like the tree had given me such a blessing and tried to contain my excitement. I listened. He repeated phrases a couple of times in the hope that I had a photographic memory, and I endeavoured to learn the story properly. I have to admit some of the end is blurry, so I have embellished it, as is the way of the teller. This is as much as I can remember….

“In the beginning there was nothing and from that came the first dragons and they were called the Oonari. They were the creatures that gave life to all living things. From them came the second generation of dragons and they were called the Gatherers and they shaped the world and all that lived on it. From the Gatherers, all other magical animals were born; Griffons, Unicorns, Phoenix and too many more to mention.

Then came those who walked on two legs. They travelled across the world. Many tribes of traveller folk, following the seasons and animals. These travellers were happy when they were on the move.

At some point in history, people began to settle on the land. Once they forgot their nomadic ways, they looked down on the remaining travellers as if they were enemies.

A man came into the world, a special man. For many moons he lived a normal life with other travellers. In 36 years the man suffered many hardships and the world threw many challenges in his direction. People he loved, died. Places he adored, were destroyed by landowners. This man was a wanderer, a traveller, a gypsy.

He was also to be known as the Gypsy King, even though he did not know it yet. On his 36th birthday he had a dream. A huge black dragon appeared and told him how the world began, as I have just told you. He awoke from his dream and told other travellers of what he had dreamt. They knew it to be true.

One night in his dreams he was visited by a golden dragon and it said, “ You are the Gypsy King, as told of in legends, you will be the leader of all the travellers. A voice of wisdom. “

The man answered “ No, I’m not the gypsy King. I am just a man”. When he awoke he ignored his dream. The next night, when the man was sleeping, he was visited by a red horny tailed dragon. “ You are the Gypsy King as told of in legends, you will be the leader of all the travellers. A voice of wisdom. “

“I am not the Gypsy King,“ the man insisted.

So the man travelled for a year and a day, but had the most extraordinary adventures. He was faced with challenges, threats, battles and dangers as he come upon many mighty animals. From badger, otter, owl and mouse and too many more to mention. Many adventures did he have with the wild ones and he knew after a year and a day, he knew who he was.

One night he fell asleep under a great oak tree and was visited by a green dragon who said, “ You are the Gypsy King.“

“I know I am, “ he replied.

The Gypsy King led his people wisely and he was able to speak with both the living world and the spirit world.“

And then he finished. I will apologise to anybody who knows this story, if I have made too many errors. I just think it’s worth recording what I know. His name was Noah, so thank you Noah for your beautiful gifts.

Before he left me he gave me a small painted flowerpot and said it should not be broken. I still have the flowerpot. He then gave me a small silver unicorn with wings, I kid you not. He told me this would bring luck. He left. I did have the most tremendous year, I remember it well. It was just before I met my Faery Queen wife. A friend of mine had some terrible tragedy and was facing a life destroying challenge. I leant her the unicorn and all her troubles lifted that week. Unfortunately, she lost the unicorn, but I’d like to think it served it’s purpose.

I am going to be under the tree this year and as many more as I am allowed. If anybody knows more stories about the Gypsy King, please come and find me. I feel like it is unfinished business. Perhaps, now that you’ve read my version of your old Gypsy past, you might feel I could be entrusted to write down more gems.

Crick Crack, story back in my sack.

Told by Cavin Cumiskey

July 2016:

This message is to the lady who is in charge of the green kids field where the 500 year old oak tree is. This lady, so sorry I cannot remember your name, you have long grey hair, and you were so kind to me and you asked me to send you an email telling my story.

My name is Jackie, the mother of Darren. In 2014 my son Darren and his partner Kelly persuaded me and the rest of the family to go to Glastonbury – there was Me, my eldest son Justin, Darren, my daughter Latesha, Justin’s wife, and Martin, who is like family I call him my adopted son. I had never been to a festival in my life, I was 58, we stayed at E17 field in 2 camper vans, it was an amazing experience.

2016 would have been Darren’s 40th year and my 60th year; so we decided to go again but this time stay in a Tipi. Darren paid for the Tipi, and we planned to go as the whole family. At the end of November Darren died suddenly of a heart attack, which has and still devastated us all.

I decided to bring some of Darren’s ashes to leave at Glastonbury. At that point I didn’t know where I would leave them.

Then when I was looking at Glastonbury’s official website, I spotted the Oak Tree Project, at that point I knew exactly where I was going to leave his ashes.

When I came to Glastonbury I wasn’t sure where the tree was, but I knew I would find it, while walking around Glastonbury I noticed another splendid tree near the site where Arcadia is, I then began to feel anxious and unsure exactly where the tree was.

In the evening around the fire at the tipi village I was asked by a gentleman called Ray what I had come to see, I told him some of the bands I was hoping to see and also relayed to him Darren’s story, I also told him of my worry about the exact location of the 500 year old oak tree, bless him he Googled it and told me the tree is in the green kids field, I thought this very appropriate as this was my kid, and I know Darren who lost his own son Dre 20 years ago at the age of 14 months would take him to see it.

So on the Sunday me and my daughter Latesha made our way through the mud to go to the green kids field, unfortunately I didn’t see Latesha stop and I assumed she had gone ahead, I couldn’t find her and I became tearful and panic. There were 2 stewards at the entrance of the green kids field and one bless him went to see if Latesha was inside, he came back with the Lady who runs the green kids field, she was so kind to me I just started crying, I also told them that Latesha was 27 year old. The lady said she thought I was looking for a small child, she took my arm and led me into the green kids field to the most magnificent tree that stood proud and felt like a Mother and alive, so alive. The lady told me that many people had proposed under the tree, had been conceived under the tree, and brought ashes and memories to the oak tree.

I dug a hole and put some of Darren’s ashes in the ground and covered them over; I asked the oak tree to take care of his ashes and add them to the roots that she has, I spoke to Darren and told him that one day Latesha will bring some of my ashes to be with him and the amazing 500 year old oak tree.

The 500 year old Oak Tree is a testament to all of us whether it be in a Spiritual way, an Environmental way, whatever way.

I take comfort that my son will forever be at Glastonbury, and I thank the lady who runs the green kids field for her caring, her making sure I was ok, and she allowed me to tell her my story.

Glastonbury is more than a Festival; it is a spiritual journey that feels safe free and true.

Yours Sincerely,
Jackie

January 2016:
I planted some up and here is a photo of them – I’ve got about 40 baby oaks that will be planted out in the spring. It was really lovely doing them, and I hope this year we get another good harvest. I feel really proud that we have got this far, and that we can plant them for the future.

What’s next ? –  Looking forward to seeing everyone this summer.  XX

acorns1

September 2015:
I came down to the site  on a quiet and wet weekend in September, and collected acorns from the Old Oak tree in Green Kids, and from the younger Oak trees in Craft Field.    I was very lucky it was a good year for the acorn harvest.   I collected about 200 acorns, and then spent the next month distributing them to everyone who had written in via this page – so they got sent to about 40 people around the globe – who will plant them and grow them.  Most they stayed in the UK, but some they went as far as Poland, Canada, Germany, and America.    It was the best year that I have known for the acorns.

June 2015:
Well, at the end of the Festival 2015 we sent off TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN wishes via Yoko and her team to the Peace Tower in Iceland.  We ran Wish Trees on the Oak Tree in Green Kids Field; and on a dome in Green Crafts Field.   We were also able to put wishes on the Pagoda in Kings Meadow that The Dalai Lama spoke from, so we all felt very honoured and blessed.

Glastonbury-2015-046

10 Jul 2014:
ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE WISHES FOR THE IMAGINE PEACE TOWER.
For the 2014 Glastonbury Festival we were lucky enough to join up with Yoko Ono’s IMAGINE PEACE TOWER project.  Each day under the Oak Tree we had some of Yoko Ono’s WISH TREES – everyone, young and old, was invited to make their wishes and put them on the trees.  There were some of Yoko’s IMAGINE PEACE pencils specially made for Glastonbury 2014, for people to keep.  It was so popular that we developed “outreach” wish trees in the Craft field and in the Peace Garden at the Stone Circle.  At the end of the Festival the wishes have all been sent off to be taken to Iceland to the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER that Yoko made as a memorial to John Lennon, and as a beam of light to aid World Peace.  Find out more at http://IMAGINEPEACETOWER.com

Glastonbury-2014-003

 

10 Oct 2013: Hi Everyone – – a glorious clear autumn day.  I’ve just been on site and seen our wonderful Oak Tree.  It has the best crop of Acorns that I have ever seen in my life… which is quite a short life compared to the Oak Tree. So, if any one out there would like a few acorns to have and grow into Oak trees, send your postal address to me at oaktreeproject@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk, and then I will send some out to you.

There is plenty of adivce on the web about various ways of germinating acorns. The most important thing seems to be making sure they do not dry out before planting, and being very patient. You can start with it in a pot. Even if you personally don’t have enough room to plant out a growing Oak, there will be plenty of people at the Festival in a couple of years’ time who would love to take it home and plant it out for you….

Jos and Suzie, the Oak Tree Project.

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