Minster and Bramley in Tree of the Year TV programme

A TV programme which includes Southwell’s own Bramley Tree and the Minster will be shown at prime time on Channel 4 on Saturday 17th December.

The programme, called ‘Tree of the Year’ has been made by More4 and Ardal O’Hanlon, the Irish Comedian and Actor will host the one hour programme.

Filming took place in Southwell on Bramley Apple Festival Day in October, with footage shot in the Minster, and in the garden of the original Bramley Apple tree in Church Street.

Minster Marketing Officer, Kathryn Anderson said: “It was lovely to have Ardal here… he chatted to the different stall holders at the festival, bought a few gifts and had a photo taken with the Dean. Obviously we don’t know how much of the filming will make it to the final programme but do take a look as you may see some familiar faces!”

The programme has been made in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, which will announce the winners of 2016’s Tree of the Year competition, revealing the four national winners chosen by the public in an online poll and, in a first for the competition, the overall winner of UK Tree of the Year awarded by an expert panel.

Viewers will be taken across the UK, learning what makes these nominated trees so special. Along the way, Ardal will hear stories from the trees’ nominees, as well as scientists, historians and even an expert tree hunter on why each tree is so important to the community or landscape around it.

Now in its third year, the Woodland Trust’s ‘Tree of the Year’ competition showcases and celebrates the nation’s best loved trees. The public have voted on the 28-strong shortlist, which was selected by some of the country’s best botanists, historians and photographers. The winning tree in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be unveiled to the nation in the programme. From these four champion trees, a panel of experts will select just one to take the title of UK Tree of the Year.

The Woodland Trust has been recording locations of special trees across the UK since 2006 and over 150,000 have been recorded on its Ancient Tree Inventory.

Although the programme was originally to be shown on More4, the scheduling commissioner liked it so much, it is now going to be shown on Channel 4 at a prime viewing time. So set a reminder for this Saturday 17th December at 8pm!