Whirlow Hall Farm volunteers roll up their sleeves!
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Whirlow Hall Farm celebrated the launch of the 2011 RHS Britain in Bloom and RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood campaigns, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, by rolling up their sleeves to be part of a tree planting movement to double native trees and woods in the UK.
They were helped by pupils from Prince Edward Primary School at Manor Top (pictured above), volunteer students from Sheffield University Environmental Science Society and staff and volunteers from Whirlow Hall Farm Trust - and what a great day it was.
Neville Dearden, from Whirlow Hall Farm, said: “Last year we added several young specimen trees to the many splendid, mature trees growing here on the farm. This launch has enabled us to continue to add to our wooded areas, help our young people to appreciate trees, improve our environment and provide a habitat for wild birds as the trees being planted include many that produce shelter and berries.”
Boswell Road Residents
It’s Your Neighbourhood group Boswell Road Residents celebrated their launch with a spring clean and tree planting event in Boswell Road, Crawley. Sharon Ottley, coordinator of Boswell Road Residents, said: “The children in the street really enjoyed planting the selection of trees that we used to enhance our planted areas under the guidance of Ruth Growney of Let's Face it! fame and Andy Bull from Crawley Borough Council. By the end of the afternoon we had clean and tidy flower and shrub beds with added trees which the residents are going to see flourish in the years to come.”
Congleton in Bloom
Congleton in Bloom worked with the children at local schools The Quinta, St Mary’s, Congleton High and Astbury Primary to plant hedgerows to improve local biodiversity. The remaining trees were planted in a local wood amongst the mature trees in order to create an understory in the bluebell woods and increase biodiversity.
Redditch in Bloom
Around 32 people from Redditch, including a group from the Redditch Lions, Crabbs Cross Scouts, members from Batchley Support Group, volunteers from a midweek group, the Redditch Probation service and willing volunteers from the public joined together to plant up an open space near Foxlydiate Woods.
All 420 sapling trees from the Woodland Trust were planted, along with another 80 fruit trees supplied from a local organic nursery near Pershore - including 10 of the Doddin apple native to Redditch. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely and followed up with a barbeque and refreshments. The event will feature in the Redditch Matters magazine, which goes out to around 33,000 properties in the area.
Huntingdon in Bloom
In Huntingdon, 25 volunteers joined Huntingdon in Bloom to plant 300 wildlife saplings alongside the boundary of the local Hinch Country Park. The remaining 100 trees were planted in the grounds of the local sports centre. Ann Colbert, secretary of Huntingdon in Bloom said: “A great time was had by all.”
Friends of Northbrook Park IYN group
IYN group Friends of Northbrook Park in South East London planted their trees within an area of the park used by a local school for their 'forest school' classes. Chairperson Michelle Ball said, “It’s not much like a forest at the moment so we planted the trees here so that it could be more foresty looking, good for the environment and attract more wildlife. We are in the process of making bird, bat, mason bees, hedgehog and insect houses with school pupils and these trees will also attract more wildlife to the park. Everyone managed to plant a tree, including little ones as young as three. It was a lovely day to bring the community together doing something good for the environment at the same time.
Keep Talog Tidy IYN group
It’s Your Neighbourhood group Keep Talog Tidy planted more than 400 wild fruit saplings throughout the Welsh village, including a site next to the YMCA Hall, a stretch alongside the Talog River and more dispersed through local woods to provide food for birds and other wildlife. Wolf Schadeberg, Chairman of KTT, said: “Our tree planting was a success and was well attended - it was also a lot of fun!”
Forton in Bloom
Just south of Lancaster, Forton in Bloom planted 105 trees around the pond area in Forton village. Fiona Riley from Forton Parish Council, said: “We're looking forward to lots of blossom for our local honey bees. We have four bee keepers locally - myself included - so the more nectar and pollen the better! Then of course we'll have more fruits for us all to gather and make into good things to eat and drink, including rose hip syrup, wild plum jam and elderflower champagne! School and Pre-school have taken a few trees each. They do not have so much room for a huge planting but will be busy putting their trees in this week.”
Wareham in Bloom
Wareham in Bloom planted their 105 saplings at Hauses Field, Northmoor Park. The wildlife area along the banks of the stream was chosen as the best location and a wildlife friendly hedge/copse was planted including field maple, hawthorn, hazel, rowan, and dogwood.
Rod Curtis, Wareham Town Council, said: “These trees will mature into a superb feature that will not only create a more attractive area but benefit wildlife and give pleasure for future generations to enjoy. It was great to see Wareham doing its bit to plant more trees and help the Woodland Trust achieve its goal. Well done everybody!”