The Tree Charter Bell Ceremony V

The Tree Charter Bell is used as a focus for ceremonies around tree planting activities in connection with The Woodland Trust. Locke worked with John Taylor Bells in Loughborough to cast a large tower bell tuned to the frequency of The Original Bramley Apple Tree in Southwell. The bell resonates at 500HZ when the temperature is 21 degrees, when the temperature changes so too does the resonance of the bell. In many cultures, the bell has significance. For example: in the UK bells are used to call people together and also as a warning sign. Using this idea as a trigger and as part of the growing body of research, Locke explores situations in view of socially engaged practice, bringing groups of people together in order to consider relationships to significant trees, nature, historic places and climate change. The aim is to explore how we feel in regard to our changing environments and how we communicate these feelings. Through this project the artist is asking important questions that are relevant now, for example: What are the possibilities for expressing how we feel about our changing climate? Can we send messages out in order to express our fears and is it possible to instigate action through artistic interventions?.

In March 2023 The Tree Charter Bell travelled to Somerset where Caroline returned to her old primary school 40 years on. Trees were planted in and around the school field as part of the Woodland Trust’s pledge to plant 50 million trees by 2025 to help tackle climate change. Caroline spent the day talking about trees and the environment with each class and every child in the school was involved in the planting ceremonies. The Children rang the bell each time a new tree was planted and each pupil received a Tree Charter Bell certificate to congratulate them on their contribution to helping to combat climate change and to commemorate this very important day.