Pupils at one York school have something very different and rather spectacular in their library.
Yes, there are plenty of brilliant books at the Scarcroft Primary School library – but unlike anywhere else, there’s also a large tree right in the middle!
Jill’s Reading Tree was installed to enliven the Victorian school’s library and encourage children to spend more time there.
The installation was masterminded by Scarcroft parent and prop stylist Kate Vaughan.
Although, in order to avoid damage being done to the listed building by its roots, the tree is a lifelike replica.
It’s named after Jill Waterson, who spent more than a decade helping to teach reception children to read at Scarcroft with a caring but no-nonsense attitude.
After living her whole life in Ryedale and York, Jill died in St Leonard’s Hospice in February 2023 following an aggressive outbreak of cancer.
In response, her family and friends raised money in her memory to ensure future generations of Scarcroft children didn’t miss out on her presence.
Their donations have already been used to buy hundreds of books, refurbish reading corners in classrooms, and pay for class trips to productions at the York Theatre Royal.
Now, some of the remaining funds have been used to build Jill’s Reading Tree.
Jill’s son Jim said: “Some people buy park benches with plaques to commemorate their loved ones.
“We wanted to do something a little bit different and provide a place where Scarcroft kids can sit down and curl up with a book.
“My mum would have been publicly embarrassed but secretly touched by it. If even a handful of kids spend more time in the library because they want to curl up on a bean bag at the tree’s base then it’s a success.
“Scarcroft is a very special community and my mum was immensely proud to be a small part of it.”
Kate, whose expertise made the tree installation possible, works to provide props and wardrobe for advertising and commercial photography and TV.
“It’s a brilliantly varied and creative job involving sourcing props, from the tiny detailed things, to the big stuff, to dress sets and scenes and provide actors and models with their costume,” she told YorkMix.
“I have experience of all kinds of weird and wonderful prop sourcing, so a tree for the school library was a joy to source, but not without it’s challenges…”
The setting was extra special. “We are so lucky that Scarcroft primary is a beautiful Grade II listed building. The space and the ceiling height for the new library is extraordinary, so I was able to source a tree with real scale for maximum impact.
“The tree, a lovely sycamore, had to be durable, sturdy and able to withstand a stream of curious fingers and incredibly stable for children to lean against its trunk and settle down for a good read.
“After commissioning the design of the tree, I oversaw the installation with the fabulous team that manufactured Jill’s tree, making sure that every branch, bough and leaf would be in the right place and will last for generations to come.”
She added: “I know that the children will absolutely love Jill’s Reading Tree. It feels totally magical.
“My daughter Ray, who is in year 4, told me something unexpected – she said ‘“’I love the tree because it casts a shadow. It’s a cosy place to read. It feels safe’.”
