My Benjamin Zephaniah Poetree Forest Experience: One-Year Anniversary — June 2026

I would start by paying my respects to the late Benjamin Zephaniah and to his family.

I heard about the project to plant 65 fruit trees in memory of Benjamin at Banbury Park in Newtown, working with the support of Birmingham TreePeople, a charity that supports the maintenance and care of trees across the city. I was really keen to get involved with the project.

I attended the planting session, and it was really refreshing to see lots of local people, along with community groups, coming together. There was support from Birmingham TreePeople with the planting, and it was interesting for me to see the diversity of fruit trees that were planted. You can find out more about the different trees on the Birmingham TreePeople website, where there is also a fruit tree trail that you can follow.

There were also 65 poems, each written by members of the local community. I really enjoyed listening to the poems being read out. Did you know that the British climate is good for growing apple trees, and that there is such a diverse range of varieties?

Benjamin Zephaniah Award Winner 2025 — Locality Ward & Aston Villa Foundation

I was nominated for the award by a volunteer group. I remember finding out by email and, for me, I was in shock. Then, to be told that I was one of 10 award winners was a real honour.

The Aston Villa Foundation were partners in the awards, and I was invited to Aston Villa FC, where I was presented with a trophy by one of Benjamin Zephaniah's sisters. There was hospitality, and we all watched the football game too.

I want to thank Benjamin's family and the Aston Villa Foundation for all they do and for valuing me. All I do is try to help diverse communities connect with nature, so to have that recognised meant a lot to me.

Birmingham TreePeople's Celebration Picnic

Birmingham TreePeople said:

On July 18th 2026 we held a celebration picnic to reconnect with all those involved in delivering the Benjamin Zephaniah Forest. We ate food together in the shade of the trees and listened to poetry from Bradley Taylor and Zakariye and incredible music from John’s Drummers.

As with all of our trees, we commit to seeing the trees through to an establishment where they should be strong enough to look after themselves, with little intervention. We will be back in the space later on this year to do some tree care with our volunteers and our Tree Care Coordinator.

I went again to celebrate with the community. There was poetry, as well as stalls from groups such as Patchwork Meadows, along with arts and crafts activities. It was a family-friendly event.

I could see people taking a lovely walk around the area to see the fruit trees. With the heatwave, the grass was very dry, so I asked one of the TreePeople experts about the condition of the trees. They explained that some of the trees were struggling and needed watering.

Sometimes, it is easy to forget that it takes care and maintenance to look after trees. I want to thank the dedicated team of volunteers at The Ark and Birmingham TreePeople for what they do.

I hope that there will be investment in the park, as it has been neglected for far too long. Parks in inner-city areas are often neglected, but they are about so much more than green spaces. They are places where people can come together, go for walks, connect with nature, and support their health and wellbeing.

I would encourage local people to get involved and volunteer with park friends groups. It can be really rewarding, and it is a great way to make new connections and friendships.

My Hopes

I really want to use my voice to highlight the systemic inequality in access to green spaces.

History has shown us that it is not always those in power who will create change, but ordinary people who care enough and have an enduring desire for something better — for dignity, a future, and a community we can all be proud of.

It has been too long since inner-city areas have been neglected. For many people, parks are the only places they have to access nature, yet issues such as fly-tipping, a lack of basic facilities and concerns about safety can make people feel excluded from these spaces.

Local communities should be supported by the council so that all parks can thrive.

The Benjamin Zephaniah Poetree Forest is about much more than planting trees. It is about community, creativity, nature, remembrance and creating spaces where people can come together. I hope that this project continues to grow and that the trees, the poems and the community around them continue to flourish for many years to come.