An invitation to stop, listen and wonder what these living organisms, with life spans far longer than our own may say if they could talk? A group of artists, musicians, educators, arborists and school children across Waltham Forest are brought together to reflect on how we connect with nature and its role in our lives. Their words, music, poetry and insights are weaved together in a beautiful audio piece which is best listened to in the presence of a tree!

Created and produced by Layla Rosa @flyingrosa in collaboration with... 

Music and workshops - Api Ascaso @apilarre 

Podcast production; editing, mixing, engineering and sound design - Engin Hassan @editfadewarp https://editfadewarp.co.uk/ 

Workshops and wisdom - Poppy Flint https://poppyflint.com/project/underfoot/ 

Additional sound and music from : - Max Ringham https://www.benandmax.co.uk/ - Lex Kosanke 

Participation, words and wisdom from: 

The children and teachers of Coppermill Primary school. 

Rachel Summers - Curious Wilds Forest School @curiouswilds 

Ilya Varty - Rigger and Arborist @ilyaelusive Organic Lea - Growers cooperative at hawkswood Nursery https://www.organiclea.org.uk/ 

Ludovic Helin - Circus artist and Forest school leader. 

Mo Gallacio - Founder of The Mill https://themille17.org/ 

Sophie Page Hall - Circus Artist @sophpagehall Jonny Voss for original artwork @jonnyvossart 

Thanks also to Clare Joy, Harmony Hall, Joanna Wilson, Julie Porter, Omar Rosa, Leo Rosa and trusted friends for inspiration, words, listening and love. 

Featuring Text and poetry from: 

19.10 - 21.09 Excerpt from ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ by Peter Wohlleben. Published by William Collins 2017. English translation copyright c 2016 by Jane Billinghurst.

 32.07 - 33.01 Full poem of ‘Sleeping in the Forest’ by Mary Oliver From ‘Letters to the Earth’ Writing to a planet in crisis published by William Collins 2019. Original copyright c Mary Oliver

41.17 - 41.37 Excerpt from ‘Among The Trees’ by Mary Oilver From ‘Devotions’ the selected poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver 1935 - 2019. Published by Penguin Press 2017 c 2017

We would love to hear your stories of encounters with trees, we would love to hear what they are saying to you. If you would like to share these words with us or find out more about the project please email : [email protected]

View trailer below to see the circus performance and workshop element of this project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=WCzXev6idoY&feature=youtu.be