Marking memories - The Oasis name tree
There's a new tree under construction at The Oasis! |
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Trees are a pretty familiar sight at The Oasis plot - it is a social and therapeutic garden, after all - but normally they grow rather than being built! This particular tree is being constructed by young people. It was started off by a group on the Virtues Course, is currently being progressed by the Journeyman project and may be finished by the young volunteers who come in the summer holidays. The tree is made from wood, chicken wire and outdoor paper mache, which uses a thin mortar mix instead of paste, glue or flour. Once it is completely dry, the tree will be coated with a layer of exterior house paint. Finally, the tree will be decorated with wooden 'leaves' bearing the names of young people, hanging from small metal eyelets in the branches. |
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It's a great art project, but it's also something much more. Branch Leader Alison Merryman explains:
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| Each young person is given the opportunity to decorate a wooden ‘leaf’ however they like. The only stipulation is that it must contain their name. |
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Each leaf will be hung on the tree as a lasting reminder of each young person.
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| (Pictures: the tree at various stages of construction and some of the name ‘leaves’ which are waiting to be hung on it.) |
