Thank you

 Sculptree is made possible with the energy and generosity of so many people: the carvers, Tree Aid’s volunteers, the team at Westonbirt and everyone who visits and bids in the auction or buys raffle tickets to support Tree Aid to use trees to transform lives for some of the poorest communities in Africa’s dry-lands. However, there are a few people we wanted to say a special thank you to, for their continued committment to Sculptree and Tree Aid over so many years.

John Jenkins

John Jenkins in action at the auction

John Jenkins in action at the auction

A special thank you goes out to our Auctioneer, John Jenkins, who has chosen to spend his Bank Holiday Monday for the last 22 years at Sculptree to sell the finished sculptures in the auction. John visited some of Tree Aid’s projects in 2004 and is a wonderful supporter, bringing his professional experience as a commercial auctioneer to Sculptree, year after year. The auction is always exciting, with a real sense of how much difference is being made with every rising bid. Thank you John, we appreciate your hard work and ongoing generosity.

Peter Walwin

Peter is one of the original team that started Sculptree way back in 1993 which was staged at Longleat with Husqvarna as the main sponsors. “Much has changed over the years, not least the auction proceeds. The top price in 1993 was £1000 for my Husky.” Says Peter, “It could not be more appropriate that money raised from big tree sculpture goes towards supporting tree planting in Africa’s dry-lands.”

Peter continues to support Tree Aid with a donation of a sculpture as first prize for our annual prize draw, come along and see this years ‘Soaring Gull’ carved by Peter from sycamore. The beautiful sculptures that Peter donates to Tree Aid every year help us to raise even more vital funds to support African families fighting poverty using trees. Thank you Peter.

Dave & Margaret Johnson

Margaret and Dave Johnson

Margaret and Dave Johnson

This dynamic duo have been instrumental in keeping Sculptree true to its roots and making sure it continues to develop in a way that is good for the carvers and for Tree Aid. Dave was a member of the original team who put on the first ever Sculptree at Longleat, and part of the event every year thereafter, as a carver in the early days and more recently as the main link between the carvers, Tree  Aid and Westonbirt, helping the event to run smoothly. Margaret’s role in the Gallery encouraged the sculptors to promote their work to best effect, and her vigilance and diligence in managing the Auction process has meant a seamless (and nail bitingly exciting) Auction year after year. Both Dave and Margaret officially retired from Sculptree duties last year, but we suspect they will find it hard to keep away, and look forward to seeing them enjoying themselves at Sculptree this year! Thank you both for your hard work and commitment, and for all your ongoing support behind the scenes.