Hafod y Bwch Commemorative Woodland
The Trees Treasure What We Have Lost and Colours of Memory

Created in partnership with the Welsh Government, nine hectares of National Trust land at Hafod, on the southern edge of the Erddig estate, have been carefully transformed over the past three years to create a new public space for remembrance, reflection and connection with nature.

The woodland was designed in partnership with local community groups and is one of three memorial woodlands in Wales and forms part of the National Forest for Wales network. The woodland is intended as a living memorial to those who lost their lives to Covid-19 and acts as a symbol of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic.

Studio Response was asked to curate and project manage a series of artworks for the site which sensitively responded to needs of the community. We approached Hanan Issa, National Poet of Wales (2022-2025) and asked her to help share the story of the woodland and voice of the community by writing a new poem The Trees Treasure What We Have Lost, which was translated into Welsh by Iestyn Tyne. The poem references the cyclical nature of time, land and grief and how solace can be found in gathering, remembering and spending time in nature. We then approached SOUP design studio to help us represent the poem within the woodland itself. Taking direct inspiration from the former Johnstown Brick Works which overlooks the woodland, the final design of the artwork references the history of brick manufacture in the area, with each letter of the poem being cast into individual bricks which are laid within the ground alongside the woodlands pathways. The artwork is intended as a continuous journey, a way of travelling whilst reading and remembering.

We also commissioned artist Rachel Jones who created a series of benches for the site. The benches are intended to create colourful moments of joy, meditation and social connection whilst acknowledging the cyclical nature of the seasons. Rachel’s artwork plays upon the notion of what a ‘commemorative bench’ can be, creating positive spaces for remembering and being reminded of loved ones throughout the different seasons of the year. The colours of the benches in this woodland each represent a different plant found on site: Grey Willow, Hornbeam, Rowan, Dogwood, Hazelnut, Dog Rose, Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow, Field Maple, St John’s Wort, Birdfoot Trefoil, Beech, Red Campion, Primrose, Elder and Scabious.

Credits:

‘The Trees Treasure What we Have Lost’
Words: Hanan Issa
Translation: Iestyn Tyne
Artwork design: SOUP
Fabrication and installation: Stone Sign

‘Colours of Memory’
Artwork concept and design: Rachel Jones
Fabrication: Chris Nangle Furniture