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Trees and connecting with nature with Bec Cork from Tortworth Forest Centre

This month we spoke with Bec Cork who runs Tortworth Forest Centre about her mission to restore and manage their exotic tree collection and create an inspiring and inclusive outdoor learning space.

Bec told us about her struggles with mental health whilst working in London and her need to get outside and connect with nature which led her to Tortworth, and to setting up the Hawthorn Project which helps women in recovery from addiction through connecting with nature and learning new skills.

Note: The video quality is not great at times, though the sound is absolutely fine.

Tortworth Forest Centre is a learning and education centre set over 20 acres. They are working to geolocate, ID and list every single tree. They hold monthly volunteer days where you can go along and help out whilst learning about and exploring the trees.

On 16th October 2021 they are holding an Autumn Open Day and Community Tree Planting.

Visit their website for more info about what they do: https://tortwortharboretum.org/

More about the Hawthorn Project: http://www.thehawthornproject.org/


About the Interviewer

Mark Hurrell has lived in Gloucestershire for over 30 years and was the editor of BBC Radio Gloucestershire from 2002 to 2016. His career in the media has been long and varied including a spell at BBC Points West TV where he was a regular presenter and reporter. Mark also worked on the BBC‘s coverage of WW1 and other major projects. He is a governor at the King’s School, Gloucester and was involved in the setting up of the Pied Piper appeal. In his spare time Mark is a keen amateur singer and supporter of Gloucester Rugby.