April 10, 2024
by Peter Walsh

My dear friend Jim Brindley died on the Spring Equinox, 2021. Jim was one of the fittest, healthiest people I knew, so when he got cancer and died it came as a huge shock to all who knew him. His funeral and cremation service were during Covid restrictions and so, there was a limit of only ten people. His family included me in the ten, while close friends and relatives had to stand outside or watch online. I knew that day we would have to have a proper gathering to mark his passing.

Jim was well known and well loved during his freewheeling 53 years - 2,000 people watched the ceremonies online - and he was really into nature, growing, foraging etc. Myself and his sister Linda decided to try to find a place where we could gather Jim's tribe and plant a tree in his memory. Then we figured there was such a large group of people who loved Jim, maybe we could harness that Love energy and plant a lot of trees. The only problem was where to plant. One friend suggested contacting Elaine Garde at Future Orchard and so we did.

Elaine loved the idea and there was a wild, overgrown section of land that would need some work but that might be suitable. Elaine is like a force of Nature when she gets behind a project and so, with her guidance and a lot of effort, we had our gathering on Jim's Birthday, 3rd of October, 2021. It was a beautiful day full of family, friends, kids, dogs, laughter and tears. We planted over 100 native trees in memory of our dear friend and we could feel him close that day.

We had a ceremony with prayers, poetry, stories and song, broke bread together and many hugs were had. Jim had been to The Orchards as a permaculture student and I know it's the kind of place he loved; with wild, overgrown stretches alongside the planted and productive parts and with so many varieties of native trees, wild flowers, birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, fish jumping in the lazy river and birds of prey circling over the valley. Since then, some of us have become members of Future Orchard and this special place has become hallowed ground to us, where we can gather, plant some trees and connect with our lost comrade, or just take a break from the busy city life, stroll beneath the trees, sit by the river and connect again to Mother Nature and to ourselves.

Not long after, I was contacted by one of our members - Sinéad O'Connell - about planting a tree for her dear, departed husband Matteo Sottocornola, who died tragically while cycling past Future Orchard. So Sinéad and her two lovely children - Níamh and Seán - met me on the Spring Equinox, 2022 and, with Níamh and Seán's help, we all planted a 10 year old Oak tree in memory of Matteo, who was passionate about Nature conservation and, like Jim, was taken far too young.

Myself, Níamh and Seán also got busy cutting and planting Willow that day. This Oak tree has grown bigger each time I see it. This brings a very rewarding and satisfying feeling. Likewise, the trees we planted for Jim, some of which were mere saplings, are flourishing and shooting up to the sky. It is humbling to know that these baby trees we plant will be around for many moons after we are all long gone. I know Matteo and Jim would approve and are smiling down on our efforts.