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Spalding family creates New Zephaniah Wood in memory of Peaky Blinders star poet Benjamin Zephaniah planting favourite trees in his honour




Friends of a famous poet who died last year will pay tribute to his legacy by naming a wood after him.

Richard and Ivana Birkett, from Spalding, became friends with the legendary writer Benjamin Zephaniah and will be planting a further 200 trees at their property in his honour.

They intend to name their woodland, which is situated at Fulney Drove, New Zephaniah Wood – planting, oak, wild cherries, alder, hazel and sycamore trees.

Benjamin Zephaniah, right, at RAB TRAK with Richard and Henry Birkett. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Benjamin Zephaniah, right, at RAB TRAK with Richard and Henry Birkett. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The late poet lived in Moulton Chapel and he met the couple due to a shared love of classic cars – namely the Triumph TR7 – which he had seen at their classic car and garden machinery business, RAB TRAK.

Mrs Birkett said: “We have been good friends for three years.

“He came to us – we didn’t know who he was – when he saw two of our cars in the yard. He drove in and we started to be friends.”

New Zephaniah Wood. PHOTO SUPPLIED
New Zephaniah Wood. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The couple’s bond was so strong that they attended his funeral on Thursday, December 28 which took place near Rugby.

Mrs Birkett said: “He was a great spirit – not religious – spiritual he would say himself.

“He wanted the same rules for everybody.

Map where New Zephaniah Wood will be situated. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Map where New Zephaniah Wood will be situated. PHOTO SUPPLIED

“At the beginning we just talked cars not political stuff.”

The couple, whose son Henry (23) has performed with Mr Zephaniah, moved to Spalding from Cornwall and have six acres of land.

She said: “We needed a property with big premises and a workshop and we moved lots of stuff here.

A map of the New Zephaniah Wood. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
A map of the New Zephaniah Wood. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“We didn’t really know what to do with the land and Benjamin would say ‘I wish I had land like that’.

“It was well known that he didn’t like flowers without roots.”

A year and a half ago they discussed naming a forest after him but he sadly died before he could perform an opening ceremony.

Mrs Birkett said: “In this project there is 1.1 hectares of remaining land and we plan to plant more trees in the meadow.

“Half of them will be oaks as he liked oaks so we chose that for him.

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“He wanted to come and open it and make it a big thing – but he never made it.

“It’s really devastating as he had so much to give.”

The project has taken a couple of years to get to his point with assistance from the Forestry Commission.

Mrs Birkett said: “Our Viking campsite visitors will also be able to enjoy this oasis of wildlife amongst the crop fields of Spalding.

“There will be about one mile of path, a circular walking route inside the woodlands and hardstanding for parking several cars.

“The path is mown through the meadow in summertime to allow easy access.”

A few years ago the couple had already rejuvenated the land with 300 trees planted and there will be a bench for visitors to sit and reflect.

Mrs Birkett added: “When we went to his funeral it was very interesting – he was very down to earth.

“He wanted to make his transformation into a tree.

“It was really really special and different – he was not dying, just going to sleep.

“His last wish was that everybody would plant a tree and that is what we have done for Benjamin.”

The well-loved performer, actor, musician and novelist - who had appeared in Peaky Blinders – was born and bred in the Birmingham area but moved to Lincolnshire and adopted South Holland as his home.

New Zephaniah Wood will be open for free public access during daylight hours, with gated access from Fulney Drove. It is expected to have its official opening by Easter.

You can visit the New Zephaniah Wood page on Facebook for further information.

What do you think? Is this a fitting way to mark the legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah? Post your comments below.



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