OCC Chair commemorates Earth Trust relationship with Wittenham Rose Ceremony
Local environmental charity Earth Trust this week welcomed the Oxfordshire County Council Chair to take part in a symbolic rose planting ceremony to represent the continued relationship between the Council and the charity.
Cllr Alison Rooke joined Earth Trust volunteer gardeners Nigel and Patience Conie in the Trust’s garden grounds to plant the Charisma rose, selected by the volunteers for its striking and memorable appearance.
History of the Wittenham Rose Ceremony
In February 1970, the original landowners of the Wittenham Clumps and Berkshire County Council made a historic agreement, which Oxfordshire took over after local government reorganisation in 1974.
The rose, presented annually by the Council Chair, serves as a symbolic peppercorn rent for public access to Wittenham Clumps – one of the most iconic and largest natural green spaces in Oxfordshire.
Supporters’ Day 2024
The planting follows the presentation of the rose at Earth Trust’s annual Supporters’ Day event, where Cllr Rooke bequeathed the rose to Earth Trust Co-Chair Frank Nigriello, in the presence of the Trust’s supporter community of volunteers, members, donors, partners and patrons. During the event, Cllr Rooke also announced that Earth Trust has been selected as one of her three chosen charities for support this year, alongside Mind Vision and the Oxfordshire Branches of Parkinson’s UK.
Councillor Alison Rooke, Chair of the Oxfordshire County Council, said: “It’s been a wonderful experience to take part in this symbolic activity with the presence of the Earth Trust community. Earth Trust plays a crucial role in creating and managing spaces that enable both people and nature to thrive in balance – their efforts align with OCC’s role in ensuring access to green spaces, which is vital for addressing climate, biodiversity, and wellbeing issues.
Emphasising the importance of community involvement, Cllr Rooke continued, “We can’t achieve these ambitions without the support and involvement of local people. The issues Earth Trust is tackling impact all of us. I’m thoroughly impressed with the vibrancy and diversity of Earth Trust’s work, and the crucial role volunteers play in this. It’s inspiring to see such dedication to our shared environmental goals. And I’m delighted to confirm Earth Trust as one of my chosen charities this year, recognising their invaluable contribution to our county.”
Verity Warne, Director of Movement Building and Development at Earth Trust, said: “We’re honoured to once again welcome the OCC to mark this significant moment in the calendar, and are deeply grateful for Cllr Rooke’s support in choosing us as one of her charities.
“It’s always a key reminder of how far we’ve come as we continue to grow our impact in the name of championing greater access to green spaces. This rose embodies that cause and reminds us of the benefits of time spent in nature. We look forward to seeing it thrive, just as we hope to see our community and natural spaces flourish!”
The much-loved Wittenham Clumps are one of a special group of inspiring local green spaces cared for by Earth Trust. One of South Oxfordshire’s most iconic landmarks, the Clumps landscape is the largest freely accessible natural green space in the county. A flourishing biodiversity hotspot, the area is steeped in 5,000 years of history, with evidence of an Iron Age hillfort and Bronze Age settlement, and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.