An iconic Elm in Brighton, one of the Preston Park Twins, and the oldest and largest English Elm in the world, had to be felled due to Elm Disease.

Please help us to preserve and celebrate this gracious tree, transforming it into a celebration of the Preston Park Twins in Preston Park where it will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Image: Artists impression (Sam Harris)

The tree is currently being preserved and has been installed in its original location in Preston Park.

Much of the UK's original mature Elm population is lost. Brighton and Hove host the largest diversity of Elm for any city worldwide and holds a critically important role of preserving this species in Europe.

The second twin has just been dedicated to Queens to mark the jubilee.

The final work will keep the shape, form and size of the elm with a new interior to create a jewel for Preston Park, transforming the tree into a celebration of the Preston Twins history and cultural significance.

The project has been funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, South Downs National Park Authority, Pride Social Fund, Jeremy Knight & Co and supported by the council. Critical support has also been received by a number of businesses, the most important of which are Brewers Decorators Centres, Repair Care, Connick Tree Care, Amazon Access Solutions, Gold Leaf Supplies, the artists agency and Yates. Elpida would especially like to thank these individuals and other local organisations who have also contributed to the success of the project: Alister Peters, Alison Bettles, James Allen, Marc Thomas, Nigel Riley, Peter Bourne, Sam Harris, DP Squared, Friends of Preston Park, Antony Dale Trust, The Living Coast, Dorothy Stringer School, Balfour Primary School, Urban Tree Festival, Site-Eye Time-Lapse Films, William Ranieri, Vivienne Barton, Rob Bradstock and everyone that donated via Just Giving.

The project raises publicity for the Elm disease control campaign and other research on diseases that threaten trees in general. We'll inform students, local people and the wider public about the history and consequences of this terrible disease, and the role we can all play in preventing it’s spread and preserving this species.

The trees may be lost, but they need to live in our memory, knowledge and experience. This project is a final opportunity to hold and celebrate this disappearing past.

For more about Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva and her plans for the tree visit: Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva