Benjamin Zephaniah orchard tribute planned in Birmingham park

Plans for tribute to the late Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah are underway in the Birmingham area where he went to school. The Peaky Blinders star, who died last year, was educated in Newtown and was known for his writing, acting roles and music.

Urban forest volunteers The Tree People have teamed up with Birmingham Empowerment Forum and Burbury Park Community Forum aiming to plant 65 trees in Burbury Park to represent each year of his life. It is hoped locals will plant a a dozen trees and become custodians of the Benjamin Zephaniah orchard.

A community meeting is to be held on Monday so the public can find out how they can get involved. Some of Zephaniah's relative are due to attend.

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James Tucker, trustee of Birmingham Tree People, said: "The 65 newly-planted trees in Burbury Park, one for each year of Benjamin’s life, will ensure a lasting legacy through his love of trees and nature."

Bishop Desmond Jaddoo MBE, chair of Birmingham Empowerment Forum, said: " This is a great initiative for the community of Newtown and beyond to get involved with. The fact that fruit trees are also being planted will provide apples for local children and allow them to see and experience the importance of nature in Birmingham's inner city.

"Benjamin Zephaniah in his early years lived in Newtown just by Burbury Park and it is important the area is uplifted in the memory of this great statesman."

The meeting will be held from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday, November 25 at The Wallace Lawlor Centre, 199 Wheeler Street, Newtown. Further events will be taking place in December leading up to the tree planting just before Christmas.