Tree Planting in Miriam's Memory

All of these trees have been planted in Miriam's memory


On Thursday 3rd July 2008 Esther planted a silver oak in the gardens of the L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, India as part of the inauguration of the Miriam Hyman Children's Eye Care Centre. Thanks to the staff for arranging this in the gardens that help to make the environment of the Institute so welcoming. The aim of BLVPEI's Chair, Dr Taraprasad Das, is that a patient looking out of any window will be able to see greenery. Mim would have greatly approved!

Esther with the silver oak at the Miriam Hyman Children's Eye Care Centre within the L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar

Miriam's friends from Octopus and Quarto and colleagues from three picture agencies, Corbis, Getty and NHPA, all contributed £1,147 to Tree Aid as an immediate response to the news of the tragedy. This was in recognition of Miriam's love of the countryside and care for the environment. A tree was planted in Miriam's name in Burkina Faso, alongside those of the G8 wives during the national tree planting ceremony which took place to mark the Summit. The balance of the donation will be channelled through the unrestricted funds of Tree Aid. Please see their website for information about their work in Africa at www.TreeAid.org.uk.

Xuela Edwards from Tree Aid wrote:
"We thought you would like to see the tree, planted on July 7 2005, that TREE AID has dedicated to Miriam. As you know, trees were planted by households all across Burkina Faso on July 7th, including a circle dedicated to the G8 summit, and Miriam's tree is with these.

"You might also be interested to know that it is a neem tree which is much prized by local communities. Its products are used as pharmaceutical ingredients which help generate vital income and the oil of the neem kernels make an excellent organic pesticide to protect precious crops."

Miriam's neem tree in Burkina Faso	The surroundings
Local women tending Miriam's tree

A group of Miriam's friends from their student days in University College London planted a conifer in her memory in Gordon Square, London, the day before her funeral.

A friend of Miriam's from the BBC dedicated a tree to her in Stratfield Brake, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. The land is part of the Woodland Trust's initiative to create new community woods. See www.woodland-trust.org.uk.

On Remembrance Sunday 2005 an Acer tree, or Norway Maple, was planted by the Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Andreas Tambourides, in the Memorial Gardens in Hendon Park, off Queens Road, London NW4, in memory of all the six victims of the London bombings of 7/7 who had lived in the Borough of Barnet, and for all victims of terrorism.

The Acer planted by the Mayor of Barnet

The Mayor introduced a short service

Sarah Hopper, Miriam's good friend, wrote:
"In 2005 I planted a cherry tree in Miriam's memory. It was still only a baby then (as it is now!) but it seems to be growing for Britain at the moment and even has a little crop of cherries :-) I thought therefore it was time to take a photo for the website of 'Mim's Tree', planted in her honour and in her loving memory."

Sarah Hopper
June 2006

Miriam's cherry tree in Sarah's garden

On Monday 3rd July 2006 John, Mavis and Esther were invited to plant a tree in Miriam's memory at the Camley Street Natural Park in King's Cross, London. Each of the victims' families who took up the invitation to plant a tree were given private time to do so. We planted a young oak close to a path facing west. Thanks to all at the Natural Park for giving us this opportunity.

Miriam's oak at the Camley Street Nature Park