Tree Planting in Memory of Maggie Telfer OBE

Last week, we planted a tree in Brunswick Square just outside our offices in memory of Maggie Telfer OBE. Maggie was one of the founding members of our organisation and was the CEO for 36 years until her untimely passing at the start of 2023.  

The event was organised by Maggie’s family and was attended by BDP staff, trustees, friends and colleagues from other organisations around Bristol. Despite the rather unpleasant weather in the morning, there was a fortuitous break in the rain at the time of the planting. The tree is a Crimson Cloud Hawthorne that will blossom in a rather fitting pink flower when mature enough. Maggie loved trees, so this is a lovely tribute to her.  

On the day, tributes were given to Maggie from Caitlin Telfer, her daughter, Lydia Plant, Director of Operations at BDP, John Long, Chair of Trustees at BDP and Thangam Debbonaire, Labour MP for Bristol West.  

A big thanks goes out to Bristol City Council’s tree department, who were instrumental in getting this project to go ahead, particularly to John Atkinson, without whom this would not have been possible.