The Veteran Oak
The Veteran Oak
This view shows the gate leading to the meadow, which has been used for camping since 1969. The Oak tree (referred to as The Veteran Oak) on the left has part of the fence embedded in the trunk where the tree has grown round it. The camping field had an area of overgrown bramble which was cleared by staff in autumn 2016, and seeded with wildflower/grass mix April 2017.
Emma said ‘The Oak tree that sits by the gates to the camping field is spectacular and important to all that know and love Suntrap. When I was sketching this viewpoint I wanted to emphasise it’s scale by including the school group I’d watched in the camping field the previous week.’
Emma Bond - Suntrap Forest Centre
Artist in residence funded by The Great Place: Creative Connections
Emma Bond is a freelance illustrator based locally in Walthamstow. Since studying Studio Ceramics at Falmouth College of Arts, her unique style of storytelling through illustration has led to various projects including workshops with schools and adults, regular commissions and work for multinational brands. Alongside her distinctive fine line illustrative style, Emma has a broad range of artistic experience, including a residency in Slovakia focused on traditional textile handcrafts. Much of her work captures interdependence of heritage buildings and nature, which makes her perfect for capturing and preserving a snapshot in time of the historic Suntrap building and grounds.
‘Through documenting the beautiful wildlife and buildings that they've called home for so long I hope I can capture the magical spirit and the stories it has to tell. I feel envious of children growing up in the borough and experiencing a school trip here’.